A B C D E F G H L M N O P R S T V Z
AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, a testing standard for rating heating appliances. All Vermont Castings appliances meet AFUE standards.
AGA
American Gas Association, an organization that establishes safety standards for gas appliances.
Airwash
A design feature of Dutch West wood stoves, by which incoming combustion air enters the firebox above the front glass, and shields the glass from the flame, thus keeping it cleaner.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of fresh water one degree F Used to gauge the heating capacity of all heating appliances.
Burner
The essential part of a gas appliance, where the air and gas combine beore the combustion phase.
Burner Pan
Used with gas log sets, the burner pan is a metal tray (shaped like a dustpan) that holds sand or vermiculite and a burner tube.
B Vent
Double-wall galvanized metal outer pipe with an aluminum inner. Used for naturally vented gas appliances.
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Cast Iron
A material used in many stoves and decorative fireplace fronts. Molten metal is poured into molds. Cast iron is noted for its beauty, durability and heat transfer capabilities.
Catalytic Combustor
A device incorporated into wood stoves to reduce smoke emissions.
Ceramic Burner
An exclusive feature of Dutch West gas stoves and fireplaces, which creates the most wood-like flame and offers unmatched durability.
Ceramic Fiber
A material used to make gas logs. The ceramic material is able to withstand very high temperatures, and can be designed to feature a red-glow when heated.
CGA
Canadian Gas Association, which, like the American Gas Association, establishes safety standards for gas appliances.
Chimney
A portion of the venting system, through which flue gases are vented to the outdoors.
Chimney Connector
Metal pipe that connects a wood stove to a chimney, commonly called stovepipe.
Clearances
A minimum distance, composed only of an air space, that must be maintained between a heat source such as an appliance or vent and combustible surfaces.
Combustion Air
Since a fire needs oxygen, this term refers to the air introduced into an appliance to aid the combustion of fuel.
Combustible Material
Any burnable material that is susceptible to high temperatures and risk of burning (i.e. drywall, wood, paper, etc.)
Convection Heat
Heat by moving heated air. Often aided by fans.
Cord
A measure of firewood, equal to an amount measuring 4 feet x 4 feet x 8 feet.
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Damper
A valve, usually a moveable metal plate, for controlling the flow of air or smoke and draft. Found in wood stoves and fireplaces.
Decorative Gas Appliance
A vented gas appliance whose primary function is aesthetic, not heat producing.
Direct Vent
A sealed combustion system where all combustion air is supplied from the building exterior, and all flue gases are returned to the outside. No inside air is used for combustion. Often consists of a two-part co-axial pipe, one fitting inside the other. The incoming combustion air enters through an outer pipe, and the exhaust gases exit through the inner pipe. In some cases (like fireplace insert applications through a fireplace damper) co-linear pipes, meaning side-by-side, are used.
Draft
The difference in air pressure at the same elevation between the inside and the outside of a chimney, chimney connector, or appliance. The term draft is sometimes used to denote the rate of combustion airflow into a fuel burning appliance, or the rate of flue gas flow. Draft is a critical component of stove or fireplace performance.
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Emissions
Smoke from wood burning, Since smoke is in essence wasted fuel, clean burning designs have been integrated to drastically reduce emissions from wood stoves.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A U.S. agency that has set performance standards for all wood stoves.
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Factory-built Fireplace
A prefabricated metal fireplace, considerably easier to install and more economical. Commonly called zero-clearance fireplaces.
Freestanding Stove
Wood or gas heating appliance normally on legs or a pedestal.
Fireplace
Any enclosure, open in the front, for burning fuel. Wood burning fireplaces may either burn wood or be fitted with gas logs, or certain fireplace inserts. Gas fireplaces contain a burner apparatus and artificial logs.
Fireplace Insert
Wood or gas appliance designed to be installed partially or fully into the firebox of an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace, and which vents into the fireplace chimney.
Flex Connector
A vent liner that can be stretched and fitted between gas appliance and termination point. A common application is for connecting a stove or insert through a damper into the chimney.
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Gas Logs
Used in existing fireplaces, gas logs sets, which consist of cement or ceramic fiber logs and a gas burner, are an economical way to add a gas fire to a home.
Grate
A a steel bar container which elevates wood or gas logs off the floor of the fire box.
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Hearth Extension
Non combustible floor protection extension beyond the opening of a fireplace or stove. The term is also used to denote the floor protector under or around any wood stove.
Heat Exchanger
Often incorporated in the upper parts of a stove or fireplace, it absorbs and radiates additional heat from either a wood or gas fire.
Heat Shields
Refers to a non combustible protector used around appliances, or chimney connector, to reduce clearances.
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LP
Liquid petroleum, often called propane, a fuel for gas appliances.
Mantel
A shelf over and above the fireplace opening. Wood, cast iron, brick, stone may be used.
Millivolt (MV)
Unit of electricity (equal to one one-thousand of a volt direct current), that in conjunction with the pilot flame, operates the valve on certain gas appliances.
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Natural Vent
A venting method by which the exhaust from a gas fire 11 naturally” rises up a flue. Often used synonymously with B-vent.
Natural Gas (NG)
A fuel used in gas burning appliances. North America’s most prevalent fuel for home heating.
Negative Pressure
Condition in a building where the inside pressure is less than the outside pressure. This is often caused by kitchen fans that draw inside air out of the house, and it can effect stove or fireplace performance.
Non-Combustible Material
Any material that is not susceptible to burning at high temperatures (i.e. slate,ceramic tile,etc.)
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Outside Air Control
A lever that will open or close a fresh air supply on a fireplace or stove.
Oxygen Depletion Sensor
A device used with all vent free stoves, fireplaces and logs that shuts the heater off if the oxygen level in the room reaches 18%.
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Pellet Stove
A kind of stove that burns wood fibers that are compressed into the size of a pencil eraser.
Piezo
An ignitor used to light standing pilots or burners without the use of a match. A button is depressed and delivers a blue spark, which ignites the incoming gas.
Pilot
A small flame used to ignite the gas at the main burner. May be standing (constantly burning) or intermittent (on demand for heat).
Propane
A term commonly used for LP gas.
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Radiant Heat
A kind of heat, by which objects are heated (and not the air around them).
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Solid Fuel
Wood or coal.
Secondary Air
Air drawn into a wood stove firebox at a strategic point to ignite wood gases, enabling more complete and efficient combustion.
Silica Sand
A very fine white sand used with natural gas log sets. Gas ignites while passing through it, giving the flame its desired flickering effect.
Standing Pilot
Small flame used to ignite a burner.
Stovepipe
See Chimney Connector.
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Termination
A vent or chimney cap that exhausts flue gases.
Thermocouple
Two dissimilar metals, which, when heated, produce a small electrical charge called millivolts. Situated near the pilot of gas appliances.
Thermopile
A pile of thermocouples, which when heated, produce a small DC current (also called a thermogenerator). A thermopile produces more current than a thermocouple.
Thimble Sleeve
A metal tube used to connect wood stove pipe into a masonry chimney.
Vermiculite
A lightweight material used with propane gas logs. Gas ignites while passing through it, giving the flame its desired flickering effect. Vent Free Heater A gas heater that does not require a flue system.
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Zero Clearance
A term often used to generically describe all factory-built fireplaces. The terms refers to a quality of a factory built metal fireplace whereby enough insulation is incorporated so that the base, back, and in some cases sides, can safely be placed in direct contact (zero clearance) with combustible floors and walls.
