Is safe to install an electric outlet socket close to a gas line for a gas fireplace?

blesnme

I dont want to go with the gas so I am opting to get an electric fireplace instead, the problem the gas line is already install and drywall has been placed around it. Is it safe to have the electrician install an electric outlet close to the gas line?

Answer
Yes it is fine to do so.

Ways to lower electric/gas bill?

Teetana

Okay, so my bill for January was $300 and I live in a townhouse. I'm trying to find ways to cut down on usage....so far, I:
-run the dishwasher less often/don't use the "heated dry" mode
-barely use any lights except when it's dark outside
-minimize how often we do laundry

What are some things most people wouldn't think of? For example, should I unplug lamps, appliances, etc.? I have gas cooking and electric heat.

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

Answer
The electric heat is harsh to anyone's bill! I would suggest:
-turn your washer water to cold/cold cycles as much as possible
-get a programmable thermostat (they are easy to install yourself-ask your landlord first if you rent) They do make a big difference!
-turn your heat down all together 68 when you are there, 63 when you are gone or lower for both (ours is 63-home, 59-gone)
-our state (WI) is offering an "Energy Audit" for $25 to help people get better results, we had one and it told us where we were losing the most heat and gave us ideas on how and when to do things to help
-lower your water heater temp to 120
-if you have a fireplace, you automatically lose 8-11% of your home's heat when you don't have it on if the damper doesn't work properly
-check your area's peak energy hours and do laundry and other chores requiring lots of energy consumption at those times
-surprisingly enough, you lose a lot of heat through your outlets on exterior walls, there are outlet insulators you can buy to help with that and they are easy to install
-if you own, check to see you have enough insulation in your attic, if you rent, ask the landlord to check
-as a rule, anything that heats up at all costs more money to run
-I hang my laundry to dry...no dryer!!! Inside in the winter, out in summer! That cut back quite a bit.
-an extra appliance like a chest freezer plugged in should be full, either with food or milk jugs of water to reduce cooling cost, generally just plugging in an extra appliance like a freezer is $20-$30 a month...do you really need it?
Hopefully these ideas help! If you need more, you should go to the gov't energy website for more ideas, it actually has some more ideas, but nothing mind-blowing. Good Luck!!!

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Is safe to install an electric outlet socket close to a gas line for a gas fireplace?

blesnme

I dont want to go with the gas so I am opting to get an electric fireplace instead, the problem the gas line is already install and drywall has been placed around it. Is it safe to have the electrician install an electric outlet close to the gas line?

Answer
Yes it is fine to do so.

Ways to lower electric/gas bill?

Teetana

Okay, so my bill for January was $300 and I live in a townhouse. I'm trying to find ways to cut down on usage....so far, I:
-run the dishwasher less often/don't use the "heated dry" mode
-barely use any lights except when it's dark outside
-minimize how often we do laundry

What are some things most people wouldn't think of? For example, should I unplug lamps, appliances, etc.? I have gas cooking and electric heat.

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

Answer
The electric heat is harsh to anyone's bill! I would suggest:
-turn your washer water to cold/cold cycles as much as possible
-get a programmable thermostat (they are easy to install yourself-ask your landlord first if you rent) They do make a big difference!
-turn your heat down all together 68 when you are there, 63 when you are gone or lower for both (ours is 63-home, 59-gone)
-our state (WI) is offering an "Energy Audit" for $25 to help people get better results, we had one and it told us where we were losing the most heat and gave us ideas on how and when to do things to help
-lower your water heater temp to 120
-if you have a fireplace, you automatically lose 8-11% of your home's heat when you don't have it on if the damper doesn't work properly
-check your area's peak energy hours and do laundry and other chores requiring lots of energy consumption at those times
-surprisingly enough, you lose a lot of heat through your outlets on exterior walls, there are outlet insulators you can buy to help with that and they are easy to install
-if you own, check to see you have enough insulation in your attic, if you rent, ask the landlord to check
-as a rule, anything that heats up at all costs more money to run
-I hang my laundry to dry...no dryer!!! Inside in the winter, out in summer! That cut back quite a bit.
-an extra appliance like a chest freezer plugged in should be full, either with food or milk jugs of water to reduce cooling cost, generally just plugging in an extra appliance like a freezer is $20-$30 a month...do you really need it?
Hopefully these ideas help! If you need more, you should go to the gov't energy website for more ideas, it actually has some more ideas, but nothing mind-blowing. Good Luck!!!

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Are electric fireplaces okay in gas heated homes?

Tamara

So I live in a gas-heated townhouse, and was thinking about buying a electric-free standing fireplace (one with the fake flames, no installing a chimney) && was wondering if they are safe or if it would catch my home on fire? (I'd primarily use it as decoration & to make my townhouse feel a little more like a cozy home, I would turn it on but it wouldn't be running 24/7)

Answer
Would be fine, my gram had one mostly for decorations, But did kinda help for the chilly mornings, But you want to MAKE SURE its on own plug,nothing else plugged in same outlet. also the outlet should be the G F I kind, Has two small push buttons on front, Which is actually a breaker of ITS own just in case there was a problem! Hope helps a lil, GOOD LUCK

My electric fireplace turned on my itself. The other things I have plugged into that outlet did not turn on.?

Jean

Answer
There's only one explanation.......FIREPLACES HAVE REACHED HUMAN INTELLIGENCE RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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How do I know if my fireplace has a blower?

electric fireplaces outlet image

Crystal C

We bought our house a couple months ago and the realtor said it had a blower (I think she was just trying to sell the house) there is a switch near the fireplace but it doesn't power anything around it nor does it turn on anything in the fireplace. Ive never owned a fireplace so I don't know much about it. It just says "Underwriters Lab Fireplace #P-249915 model HS 36 True Heat.

Answer
The fan on these fireplaces is supposed to be very quiet. I've often had to use a piece of tissue paper over the intake (bottom grill) to see if it was working. The tissue will be held in place over the vent, if the fan is pulling any air in through the lower vent.

Usually, a fireplace with a blower is on its own circuit breaker... so you may want to check the circuit panel for that breaker. It may even be a GFCI breaker.

Most often, a built in fireplace/insert will have the switch located on the front of the unit itself, not on a wall nearby. The switch on a wall nearby may be for something else, perhaps a ceiling, or attic fan, for example.

Look for that breaker, and if all else fails, take the front grill off and see if the fan has electric coming to it, when the switch is flipped, by testing with a multimeter. If you need to, call an electrician.

Good Luck

Additional -- By the way, if you are in a mobile home, that wall switch may actually be to a powered fresh air intake. This would be located under the floor of the home, usually behind the fireplace. Sometimes these are set up with a plug and outlet... and it may be unplugged. Again, these also tend to be GFCI outlets, and if so, may be tripped.

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How do I install a ceiling light fixture if there isn't one there already?

Madilyn's

In my living room, there are 2 recessed lighting fixtures to iluminate my fireplace area. The room is kinda dark, even with a floor lamp. I want to install a ceiling light fixture in the center of the room. How do I run electrical to it?

Answer
Answer #1 is mostly right, but if there is space above the room you are in business.
find the studs by an hot out let, and at the celling near the wall drill a very small hole in the celling between the studs with a long bit, leave the bit in the hole or a piece of wire, get in the space above the room and move over 2" over and above the wall and drill a hole through the plate and drop a 3-14 wire down in the wall make a switch box hole above the outlet, take the outlet out "have the electric off" hook into the outlet with the wire now going to the new switch, your wire will be running across the celling to where you want the light, and make sure that the light fixture box is put on the Joyce. if you can do this you will then have bragging rights to all your friends.

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How to save on electric bill?

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Future Die

My husband and I moved into a house that is all electric. Our old house had gas heat. So far, we HATE electric heat! It doesn't heat the house very well at all. The temp at night has been in the 40's and the heat seems to always run!

We have shut off the vents in the upstairs, because no one is ever up there. The heat is set on 65. What else can we do to save on our electric bill?

Answer
Insulate your attic and basement

Maintain glazing in window panes and caulk around windows to prevent air leaks. Use weather stripping where needed.

Use the damper in your fireplace

Weatherstrip around doors.

Install insulated drapery on your windows. Open drapes in the morning to let the sun in. Close when the sun goes down to keep the warmth inside.

Unplug all electronic chargers when not in use.

Use Smart Strips on all electronic equipment. This is a multi outlet devise you plug a bunch of things into and turn the strip off to cut off the current to all those electronics that are drawing electricity even when not turned on.

Use a Smart Strip in your kitchen for your microwave and small appliances. Turn it off after every meal.

Change all light bulbs to Compact Florescent Lights.

Wash only full loads of clothing in cold water. Do several loads in a row so you take advantage of the warm dryer.

Take shorter showers.

Is your dryer vent air tight?

Are all storm windows down?

I turn my heat down to 60 degrees at night and sleep under a cozy down filled duvet. It is heavenly.

I turn my heat down to 60 degrees when I leave the house.

Watch television in the dark at night.

Moist air keeps a house warmer than dry air. Add humidity to your home in the winter time.

If you are using your oven tonight, bake the potatoes for tomorrow night's dinner. A toaster oven uses less electricity than a conventional oven and I am a convert since a friend cooked some really delicious meals in that toaster oven of his. I now believe in toaster ovens.

Do not be fooled into thinking you are saving money on your electricity bill if you run appliances in the evening. The fact of the matter is that, yes, electricity is being saved, but the savings is only for the electricity company. Your electric bill is one flat rate per usage and it does not change rates according to the time of day you use your electricity. This is a common misconception most people are lead to believe, when, in fact you pay the same rate morning, noon and night.
Yeah, it is wise to use appliances on off peak hours, but it saves you not one dime on your bill.

how much does it cost to have an electriction check the labels on the breakers in my house?

The Philos

the breakers in my basement are labeled wrong and are confusing how much will it cost to have an electrition see which breakers control what electric outlet or appliance?

Answer
You could probably do this yourself. I did when I purchased my last home. I simply turned on lights in every room, went down stairs and flipped one switch then checked which outlets and lights went out.
Before hiring anyone, I shop around for best price and try to get a feel for the company. Then I ask myself-what would it cost if I didn't have the work done? I once put off getting a new roof that I thought would last me one more winter...now I have a brand new fireplace, chimney, living room, bathroom wall, kitchen ceiling and roof :- /

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