New Inventory - Cast Iron Fireplace Items

Yet another American supplier is leaving the marketplace, which will soon leave us in a bind for access to cast iron mantels, fireplace surrounds and fireplace grates. In the meantime, however, we have bought out a limited supply of inventory at reduced prices. If you've been considering a fireplace makeover or adding a new fireplace, it's a good time to get started. Most are items in very small quantities, maybe 5 or 6 of a design available.

Check our new website for our new selection:
http://www.gascoals.com/

Inventory Closeouts - We Need More Space!

Richmond's iconic breakfast and lunch diner, McLean's Restaurant, is moving into the west side of our building. They've got renovations underway and aim to open in the new location by November 1. We're thrilled to welcome them to the neighborhood, though we're hard pressed to combine all of this inventory into our remaining showroom & warehouse.

What this means, of course, is that some of our floor displays and warehouse inventory must go. We've got a huge selection of mantels, floor model electric fireplaces and mantel decor items, all marked down with savings up to 80% off!

Lots of mantel & hearth accessories 50% off

Electric Fireplace Floor Models  20-40% off

Lots of electric insert floor models, 20-60% off

They're from the Government so they MUST be here to help...

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced new efficiency standards that apply to vented gas hearth products. The goal of new efficiency standards is to reduce use of natural and LP gas to promote fuel conservation and reduce emissions.

Currently there are 3 basic categories for vented gas hearth appliances (those that vent fumes to the outdoors): room heaters, decorative appliances and gas logs. While our industry association - the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) has been involved with the pending new standards, they had little concern about the pending regulations because they were led to believe these standards would only apply to the most efficient group of appliances, those designated as ROOM HEATERS. Documentation shown on the DOE website confirms that as late as April 2010, the standards in development would only apply to ROOM HEATERS, as decorative appliances and gas logs were considered a wholely different type of appliance.

HOWEVER, now that the new efficiency standards have been decided and published, the DOE opted at the last minute to include vented decorative gas appliances and vented gas logs. Beginning 2013, these appliances must also meet a 67% AFUE conservation standard if rated at 9,000 btu's or more to be sold in the USA. These standards do not apply to outdoor fireplaces, by the way.

What this means to our customers is that if you want a gas fire, it will have to be (as of 2013) highly efficient (read: glass window), or be so low in btu consumption as to provide little flame or heat. This standard will eradicate decorative gas fireplace units, vented gas logs and vented gas coal baskets as you know them today.

It is my hope that 3 years is long enough for our industry to develop and bring to market the decorative appliances like the vented gas logs at left that many homeowners still want today and will want in 3 years. In the meantime, if you've been considering purchase of decorative gas logs or similar decorative gas appliances with a significant flame then I urge you to consider finalizing your shopping and get the installation completed while the products are still available and "legal" to buy.

Richmond Easter Parade

The RICHMOND EASTER PARADE is a great excuse for us to dress up and have some fun! I made matching Easter bonnets for Betsy and I, and a fairy wreath for my mom, Carole.

Not a traditional parade, this one features the attendees as the entertainment. Monument Avenue is closed for several blocks on Easter Sunday from 1-5pm. The event features bands, food stands, a petting zoo, street performers and boutique giftwares.

An Easter bonnet and a dog are must-haves for attendees! There's both a pet bonnet contest and a people bonnet contest.

Betsy was a finalist in the pet bonnet contest this year, and hopes all her fans will come out and vote for her in next year's event!

Faux Fireplaces Have Warmed Our Homes for Decades

Part of the allure of historic homes is the fireplace, often available in abundance in homes of bygone eras. We're often asked the purpose of fireplaces that seem original yet seem never to have been operable.

Yes, fake or "faux" fireplaces were popular even a hundred or more years ago, used as a visual element to enhance the architectural appeal of the room. While some originally burned jetted gas fires or electric fires, even "back in the day" some  were built to resemble an authentic fireplace - brick firebox, mantel and all - with no chimney and never a fire intended to burn in them. A wood burning fireplace (WBFP in real estate jargon), operable or not, was a sign of prestige in city homes where a real wood fire was as inconvenient then as it is today. Where do you store loads of firewood in a small and immaculately manicured city garden any way?

Just like the original residents of these old homes did, why not burn a cozy little electric fire in them?

Even simple electric logs are a visual chillbuster while an electric insert provides the ambience of a realistic moving flame plus an electric heater to help warm up the room.