A design blog, home renovation journal, and other stuff - resources, ideas & inspiration for the hip designer in all of us.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Heat-N-Glo Twilight II Indoor Outdoor Gas Fireplace
We turned on the gas fireplace for the first time yesterday. It actually heats the porch quite well (and provides super ambiance as you can see below). My Mom enjoyed her cocktail in front of the fire, but she's not completely sold on it's efficiency indoors. We'll keep you posted...
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Hi -
ReplyDeleteJust came across this as I was searching for info onthe Twilight II. How do you like it? We are getting one, but I can't seem to find many reviews of it online.
thanks!
Andi
We like it very much. I agree, there was very little info. or reviews on the web. Our local dealer didn't have one in the showroom either, so it was a gamble. It heats very nicely indoors - we got the optional fan kit which helps circulate the heat. It generates heat outside too, which is good for those nights when it gets just a little bit chilly. The thing I like best is the view through the fireplace on both sides- very cool. We have propane (natural gas isn't available) and it's costing about $100/month to run (and its a mild winter). Our dealer really screwed up the order - wrong accessories etc. (probably because noone has every ordered one before), but it all worked out in the end. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are considering installing one of these in our remodel. Are you having any venting issues? And did you purchase the optional blower?
thanks
Kim
Yes - we got the optional blower. It does help blow the heat into the room. It has an adjustment knob so you can turn up lower or higher or turn it off completely. The venting occurs through the face of the fireplace on the exterior side, and we have had no problems with it.
ReplyDeletethanks. Does the outside vent blow in your face if you are sitting in front of the fireplace?
ReplyDeleteNo - it doesn't blow.
DeleteThe heat comes out of a vent at the top of the firebox, and of course the whole face of the fireplace gets hot and radiates heat outside.
ReplyDeleteThe manufacturer mentioned that there are some major issues with the tempature of the glass reaching up to 400-600 desgrees on either side? have you had this issue as it appears you have children, did you install it between an additional layer of glass or doors on either side? or protective screen. I am very concerned from what I just heard...
ReplyDeleteSee comment below
DeleteYes - the face of the fireplace does get very hot. There is an additional screen you can install over the glass - but that kind of defeats the whole see-through window effect. We told the kids not to play near it or touch it, and the way we arranged the furniture inside pretty much prevents them getting near it. It hasn't been a problem, but if we had other people over with little kids I probably wouldn't run it.
ReplyDeleteI also considered buying a fireplace screen to sit in front of the fireplace to prevent the kids from getting near it. Another idea would to build a raised hearth in front of it like a regular wood-burning fireplace.
When you are not running the fireplace do you feel a cold draft coming off the fireplace inside the house?
ReplyDeleteThe fireplace itself is sealed very well- when it is not on it is similar to a window (the glass can be cold to the touch). It's important during installation to seal around the unit (per manufacturer's instructions) to prevent drafts.
ReplyDeleteI own one and have a chimney above it. I am thinking of doing an enclosed porch on the outside of it. Can I switch to using the chimney? Thx
ReplyDeleteI don't think this unit can be vented through a chimney. You should check directly with Heat-n-glo to see whether it will vent properly if you enclose the porch. If it is similar to a "ventless" unit it may be fine as long as you do not run it too long.
DeleteI'm curious if anyone has any new thoughts on this fireplace. We bought a home that has one, constructed only a year ago, and I've been very unimpressed with its draftiness. We can literally feel cold air blowing when within a 6-8 foot radius of this fireplace, and the living room this is in is a good 10 degrees colder than the rest of the house. The appearance is neat as an indoor/outdoor fireplace, but unless I can somehow fix it, I would never buy one of these, or a house with one of these, again. It could be the installation was done incorrectly, but I can't get the original vendor to call back.
ReplyDeleteReally impressive blog you got here. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHeating and Cooling Toronto
Heating and Cooling Barrie
we are in the process of purchasing one. We are just struggling with what type of structure to enclose it on the outside? What did you do? I can't tell from the picture.
ReplyDeleteWe kept the face of the fireplace flush on the interior side of the wall, so the fireplace sticks out onto our porch. We built a wood frame box around it and finished it with a stucco finish. We put a piece of slate on top for the mantel.
DeleteHas anyone figured out a way to have a blower push hot air to the outside?
ReplyDeleteCurrently it just blows to the inside and a customer wants to be able to push all of the heat to a screened porch. Thanks!
This would be a great feature. It does put out some heat to the outside. I usually turn the blower off inside, when I'm using it outside.
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