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Gas Logs from Lou Manfredini, The Helpful Hardware Man!

Last Updated: February 11, 2009

There is nothing quite as romantic as an evening spent in front of a wood-burning fireplace, but boy do I hate the maintenance that goes with it.  I’m Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and I’m here to talk to you about another way to use your fireplace, with gas logs.

The upkeep of wood-burning fireplaces is intense and can dissuade you from using your fireplace all together.  Plus, you run the risk of encountering issues with drafting which can make your whole house smoky.  With gas logs, there is none of this to worry about.

Gas logs can be installed very quickly and look quite realistic.  And the upkeep is so much simpler! No more cleaning out the debris after every fire or lugging in chopped wood on cold days.  Now, you’ll still have to have your chimney cleaned every 3-4 years, but that’s much less than the annual cleaning that I recommend for wood-burning fireplaces. You also might have to look at having a gas line moved, which would increase your cost to install.  But in my opinion, it is absolutely worth it.  Another bonus, gas logs turn on with the flick of a switch, or in some models, the click of a remote control.  Talk about instant romance!

About Lou Manfredini, The Ace Helpful Hardware Man

Manfredini is a nationally recognized DIY expert, sought after both for his expertise and his energetic, entertaining style. In an extension of his ongoing effort to help people maximize the value and enjoyment of their homes, he is also Ace Hardware's "Helpful Hardware Man" and editorial media spokesperson. Along with his wife and four children, Manfredini lives in Chicago, where they also own and operate a neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Visit the Helpful Hardware Man Corner at Ace to learn more about Lou, and see all his helpful DIY Projects

   

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