This guide is meant to help you understand the important features and benefits of Valor gas fireplaces and assist in your selection of an appropriate model.

A gas fireplace heater is a gas fireplace that in addition to simulating a wood or coal burning solid fuel fire can also convert a significant amount of the energy consumed into heating a room.

By comparison, traditional gas logs and conventional gas fireplaces are intended for decorative function. This affects many design aspects ranging from the quality and durability of materials used in construction to the type of standards used to safety test and certify the fireplace.

Valor models are tested and certified to the more stringent standards for home heating appliances.

Valor builds gas fireplaces for a variety of applications including the retrofit of existing fireplaces, for renovation and new construction, or free standing for that wood stove look.

Although a Valor fireplace can be installed in practically any area of your home, it will be especially effective in high-use living areas such as family rooms or great rooms.

This will allow you to maximize the benefits of zone heating by putting the warmth where you want it. In addition, you will enjoy a focal point fire in the area where you most like to spend your time.

A Valor gas fireplace heater is also an excellent way to supplement hard-to-heat areas such as basement areas, additions, rooms over unheated areas, sun rooms, rooms with high ceilings or large glass surfaces and guest rooms or cottages.

Ask your dealer about a non-abrasive glass cleaner. Lemon oil will clean and polish any brass trim. Other components are finished in high-quality mark-resistant paints and clean with a damp cloth.

Valor fireplaces are designed with easy access windows for cleaning and service, an important and often overlooked feature.

Beyond cleaning the window from time to time, we advise an annual cleaning and inspection by one of our authorized Valor dealers.

This will mainly consist of cleaning and a service check to ensure optimal efficiency and operation.

An annual maintenance service is recommended for all gas appliances.

A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

All gas appliances are rated in BTU's per hour Input, which is an approximation of the amount of gas consumed on full fire in one hour.

Depending on the design and efficiency of the appliance, a certain proportion of the heat generated from burning ends up as useful heat in the room (Heat Output) while some portion is lost to vents and chimneys (Flue Loss).

All Valor models are tested and certified to heater standards and therefore are rated for Heat Output.

This is determined at full fire, without optional blowers and after the heater is up to operating temperatures.

This depends on such factors as room size, insulation levels, amount and type of windows, climate and the type and use of other heating systems in the home. It will also vary from hour to hour, day to day and season to season because of these same factors.

As a general guideline, average winter home heat requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 BTU/hr. Studies show a 1,300 square foot house with standard insulation, located in Toronto, requires about 14,000 BTU/hr in January and February.

(For more information visit our Web site and use the Valor BTU calculation guide.)

Valor defines comfort zone as the area in your home that can attain an even comfort level using a steady burning efficient heat source, like a Valor fireplace heater.

Depending on your house layout and fireplace location, the comfort zone may be one room or all or part of a complete floor level.

In spring or fall when heat requirements are minimal, a Valor may easily provide comfort for the entire home. The amount of BTU's of heat necessary to maintain this comfort zone is in the range of 5,000 to 15,000 BTU/hr.

This relatively small amount of heat can be very effective, especially when it is constant from your Valor fireplace rather than cycling like an on/off furnace control.

In fact, too much heat output will overheat your room. Many competitive fireplace brands promote large BTU fireplaces emphasizing the old "Bigger is Better" approach.

With a truly efficient zone heater, this is simply not true.

This is when the air itself is heated. Convective heat is the only type of heat provided by a forced air furnace. Convection occurs as air touches a hot surface and then rises.

Valor fireplaces have as many as three heat exchangers that convect heat naturally without the need of a fan.

Valor fireplaces have a blend of 40% radiant and 60% convective heat.

Radiant heat is the transfer of heat from flames and hot surfaces to solid objects such as furniture, floors and people who are in the path of the heat source by means of infrared radiation.

The hotter the source, the better the ability to radiate. Radiant heat allows people to feel warm, even when the air temperature may be cool.

This distinguishes a Valor fireplace from fireplaces that rely on fans and central furnaces.

You feel comfortable faster as you do not have to wait until all the air in the room is heated. Because radiant heat warms the objects in your home, they in turn emit heat and add to your home comfort.

For example, in many applications, radiant heat can warm your floors much more effectively than forced air heat.

Radiant heat is quiet and dust free, and is especially effective in basements, lower levels and vaulted areas.

Valor provides excellent radiant heat per BTU.

If you heat with a furnace you have no radiant heat (other than direct sunshine); therefore your home will be more comfortable with a Valor.

Consider for a moment. Warm air furnaces function in on and off cycles. You can sense when the furnace will cut in and you can feel a little overheated just before it cuts out.

Your home's outside wall surfaces will be cool, the window glass is cold and you lose your body heat by radiation to these colder surfaces. If you move the furnace thermostat up a notch, you will be warmer, but not necessarily more comfortable. A good source of radiant heat in that same room, like a Valor Legend, can actually reduce the air temperature while maintaining comfort.

Valor's heat focusing design projects radiant heat, like the sun's rays to warm you directly and instantly.

For a demonstration, stand in front of your Valor dealer's display unit. Back up ten feet and you still feel the warmth. Ask the salesperson to block the heat. This is how a non-radiant unit will feel.

All Valor heaters are designed with variable heat controls that can be turned down very low if required. You'd be surprised how many competitive brands can only be turned down a little or not at all.

Valor's wide operating range and ease of adjustment allows you to match the heat output to the heat required—providing maximum use and allowing more constant, even comfort and enjoyment.

A big BTU fireplace with limited turndown capability is just another furnace and will not provide a comfort zone.

The Comfostat is a control feature available on selected Valor models. It automatically adjusts the burning rate to match the heat requirement of a room. You select the temperature level you desire on a conveniently located dial and the heater regulates itself, burning as low or high as needed to keep an even room temperature instead of constantly turning on and off.

By contrast, conventional thermostats regulate heat by turning burners on and off rather than up or down and these types of fireplaces spend more time off when you want them on. This results in fluctuating room temperatures and a fire effect that is unnatural and erratic and causes discomfort.

The Comfostat feature is exclusive on Valor fireplaces.

Overall fuel consumption is lower with Comfostat because the fireplace is only burning the precise amount of gas required, giving you more even temperatures. The flame pattern changes from a cozy glow to a full flame effect.

You can easily adjust, change and override heat by setting a convenient control on your Valor fireplace.

Valor fireplace heaters are so effective at producing both radiant and convected heat that a blower will not do a lot to improve your comfort.

Fans add to operating costs, installation costs and have a noise component. They block the natural flow of convection when they are off and require servicing sooner than any other major gas fireplace component.

Fans cannot add comfort if you already heat with a furnace because they are too small to blow heat across a room. Ceiling fans can be more effective for overall heat distribution.

Also, fireplace fans do not provide back-up heating during a power failure or furnace failure, nor produce heat.

Only good fireplace design results in effective heating.

Fans cannot deliver radiant heat, the magical ingredient that makes a fireplace heat across the room, making you comfortable.

Ninety percent of Valor fireplaces are sold without fans but they are optional for Valor inserts, freestanding stoves and built-in clearance models.

In these cases, they can be installed at the same time as the unit, or added later.

All Valor products comply with ISO9001 standards. In fact, Valor was the first gas fireplace manufacturer to meet this standard.

Valor, in business since 1890, is a pioneer in the gas fireplace industry with other technological first such as the first direct vent and power vented fireplaces.

Valor products significantly outlast many competitors' brands due to design and materials used, plus they have a high residual value and one of the best warranties in the business.

Stainless steel, cast iron, aluminized heat exchangers and fireboxes, nickel-plated gas tubing and ceramic glass are just some of the reasons Valor is the leader in this business.

Valor outlasts most of the competition and requires less service and maintenance because of the quality and care that goes into making Valor fireplaces.

Simply ask a Valor owner. Referral is our number one mode of advertising.

Yes. Valor fireplaces produce a blend of radiant and convected heat without the need of electric fans. Valor designs all its products with primary and secondary heat exchangers that make fans unnecessary and provide back up in the event of a power failure.

Visit an authorized Valor dealer such as United Energy Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Our trained staff is knowledgeable and can walk you through all you need to know.

We offer one stop shopping with display showroom, in-home estimates, professional installation and personalized service.

• A gas fireplace can often be a cost-effective way to increase the resale value of your home.

• Before installing your gas fireplace, have existing chimneys swept to remove residual odors.

• Be wary of fans. Good fireplaces don't need them, and they often just add cost, noise and trouble.

• In spring and fall, a good fireplace can provide heating comfort for an entire house all by itself.

• To be sure of back-up heating during a power failure, choose a fireplace that heats without a fan.

• Bigger is not necessarily better. Let a professional calculate what size works best for your room.

• Locate your gas fireplace in the family room to maximize the benefits of zone heating.

• Think ahead. Make sure your gas fireplace has been designed for easy cleaning and maintenance.