Air Wash
Engineering inside stoves and inserts directing air against the inside glass to aid in keeping the glass clear for viewing.

Ash Drawer
Available on some models, these aid in the removal of ashes from the appliance.

Baffle
Device or partition that stops or re-directs air flow.

Blower
Fan used to circulate heat from inside the stove into the room. (smokeless)

BTU
British Thermal Unit, a universal means of determining heat production. One BTU = the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1° Fahrenheit in one hour.

B-Vent
One pipe system, uses room air for combustion and exhausts to the outside. For gas appliances only.

Catalytic Converter
Ceramic honeycomb device installed inside the stove that heats and re-burns the smoke to reduce emissions.

Chimney Liner
Exhaust or intake piping used for wood or gas devices, lining the existing chimney. Stainless steel for wood or pellet, aluminum for gas.

Creosote
By-product of smoke accumulation inside a chimney. Regular scheduled maintenance of the chimney, flue and fireplace or appliance should be performed to prevent build-up in the flue.

Damper
Moveable valve or vane used to temporarily close a chimney.

Direct Vent
Two pipe system, uses outside air for combustion and exhausts to the outside. Does not require vertical roof penetration, but can be installed vertically.

Draft/draw
Air flow either into or out of a chimney. (Down drafts restrict air flow out of a chimney, causing excessive build-up of smoke in either the chimney or room.) Draft can generally be enhanced by increasing flue height.

Electronic Ignition
Ignition system utilizing an electric spark to ignite appliance with no pilot light. Required in California for decorative-rated fireplaces.

EPA
Environmental Protection Agency, a government agency that regulates air quality, among many other things.

Fireplace Insert
This appliance is installed into an existing fireplace system. Engineering inside the insert, collects heat and redistributes (smokeless) warm air into the room. Recent models are rated by the EPA for emission levels. These appliances burn either natural gas, propane, wood, pellets, or coal, depending upon the appliance. Efficiencies range from 64% to 82%.

Fireplace Versus Insert
Typically a traditional fireplace operates at approximately 10 to -10 % efficiency due the drafting of room air up the flue.

Flue
The exhaust pipe on a fireplace, stove or other appliance.

Free Standing Stove
This appliance is installed inside the room standing on either a pedestal or legs. It radiates heat from all sides as well as collecting heat in an exchange system. These appliances burn either natural gas, propane, wood, pellets or coal. None can burn more than one type of fuel.

Gas Log Set
Decorative ceramic or concrete logs that are placed inside a fireplace, burn an open flame and are mainly for decorative purposes only.

Hearth
Stone or brick floor or a fireplace, often extending out into the room.

Insert
Heating appliance installed into an existing fireplace.

Louvers
Vent flaps or vanes that either restrict or allow air flow.

LP
Liquid Propane.

Mantle
Shelf over a fireplace.

Minimum Clearance to a Combustible
Pre-determined distance required for installation of an heating appliance.

NG
Natural gas (a.k.a. methane).

Orifice
Fitting which determines the amount of fuel entering a heating appliance.

Phase II Certification
Rating system that will meet the upcoming EPA certifications.

Pilot Light
Continuously burning source of ignition found in heater-rated gas appliances.

Propane
Liquefied petroleum gas for fuel.

Refractory
Brick material placed inside the firebox to collect and radiate heat from inside a fireplace.

Shroud
Metal facing used in the installation of a fireplace insert (a.k.a. trim kits).

Steamers
These "kettles" are placed on top of a free standing stove or some models of inserts and are filled with water. When heated, they emit steam (moisture) into the room.

Thermopile
Heat sensitive generator that triggers the on/off switch without an additional electrical source (allows operation of the appliance when the lights go off). It is an integral component of safety valves on heater-rated gas appliances.

Vent Free
This type of device uses room air for combustion and exhausts directly back into the room. This type of appliance is not approved for installation in California.

Wood burning versus gas
In a wood burning appliance, wood is placed in the stove manually and must be started by an outside source. In a gas appliance, (installed with either pilot or electrode) can be operated by remote control.

Zero Clearance
This type of fireplace appliance is installed directly (usually 1/2' to 1' clearance) against standard building materials without additional fire proofing. Pre-manufactured piping is used for chimney installation.