What's right for you?

From there, an Authorized Mendota® Dealer can help you choose the ideal product.

Where will your hearth product go?

With today's venting options, hearth products can be installed almost anywhere in the home. Consider a fireplace for nontraditional locations, such as the kitchen, home office, or master bedroom or bath. Even outdoor fireplaces by patios and decks are a very popular trend today.

Do you have an existing fireplace or stove?

If you have a unit that is inefficient or seldom used, converting to a new hearth product may be simple and surprisingly affordable. A gas fireplace insert may be just right for you.

Are you building a new home or remodeling?

You can add atmosphere and focus to your home by incorporating a gas fireplace early in the design stage. Talk to your architect, remodeler or Authorized Mendota Dealer for more information.

Do you want a fire for its aesthetic appearance or for its warmth?

Some hearth products are simply decorative, while others are extremely efficient. Mendota gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts are both efficient and beautiful to watch. What's more, heat output is adjustable and can be controlled depending on your mood and the weather.

What size fireplace should you choose?

Whether you want to heat one room, a specific living area or an entire house, the right size unit is very important to your enjoyment. Choosing a size is based on the amount of heat the fireplace needs to generate or the desired aesthetic appearance of the fire. Your local Authorized Mendota Dealer can help you determine the right size factoring in your climate, floor plan and lifestyle.

Are you concerned about having heat during power outages?

One of the benefits of Mendota hearth products is that they can operate during power outages, when you need the heat the most.

What finished look do you want for your home?

Mendota offers many choices in fronts, linings, overlays, doors and finishes. You can Design Your Own Fireplace or view the possibilities in our Idea Gallery. Or stop by your local Authorized Mendota Dealer to see all the options in person.

How much do you want to spend?

Price is always a consideration, but it's important to remember that a fireplace is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase that's permanently installed in your home. It's not something that you replace every so often like a car or television. Hearth product prices range from a few hundred dollars in apartments and condos to several thousand dollars. Fuel prices also are a factor to consider and vary by region. Your local Authorized Mendota Dealer can help you with budget considerations.

Gas Fireplace Checklist**

1. Size: Choosing a size is based on the amount of heat the fireplace needs to generate, the desired aesthetic appearance of the fire or the opening of an existing fireplace for an insert.
2. Location: A gas fireplace can be installed in any area of the home—in the center of the room, under a window or anywhere a gas line is available.
3. Venting: Mendota recommends using a direct-vented unit that vents through the wall behind the fireplace. This is the safest, most efficient option. For fireplace inserts, a chimney liner is required.
4. Installation: Mendota recommends using a certified professional installer to ensure safe and reliable installation of a gas fireplace. In addition to assessing the construction of the house, the professional will make sure that the installation meets all local and state codes.
5. Maintenance: Gas fireplaces are clean burning and require little maintenance. Mendota recommends that a gas fireplace be professionally serviced at least once a year to ensure top performance and aesthetic appearance. A qualified professional inspects the burner, fan, venting, pilot light and thermostat, and even cleans the glass. We also recommend that all vents be inspected on an annual basis by a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. In addition, you may want to consider installing a carbon monoxide detector. They are an inexpensive way to put your mind at ease about carbon monoxide levels.
6. Fuel Requirements: Natural gas and propane are the fuels available for gas fireplaces. Natural gas is the most widely used, while propane is often used where natural gas is not available.
7. Average Cost: The price of the unit itself is only part of the total cost of owning a gas fireplace. Other requirements include the cost of the chimney and/or installation, annual fuel costs and annual maintenance.

* Source: Adapted from "How to Buy a Hearth Product", Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, www.hpba.org
** Source: Adapted from "Gas Fireplaces Fact Sheet" and "Fireplace Inserts Fact Sheet", Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, www.hpba.org