Ok Ken, like i said, DH took care of it so i didn't know. i know the tank is 1/2 size of the one the company provided and while it took almost $200 to fill it, filling one half the size was just over $50 - still an awesome savings and no rental fee yearly. BTW, we don't use a fan either and our fireplace will heat both floors of our house. Our neighbors put in the fan and said it was a big mistake, they never even use it. Maybe it all depends on the types of logs or placement of the fireplace.
Our builder in his infinite wisdom tought we should have vented logs (sure he saved ton on that move). Sooo we use the fan to try and capture at least some of the heat thats escaping from the flue. Even on a ventless fireplace, a fan helps heat the room faster and helps with any heat loss that may be occuring over the fireplace..
Because of the layout of my house, the gas logs never distributed heat evenly throughout the entire house, so it's just really my living room/dining room that benefit from them, but they will heat up to 400sf very nicely and very fast when they are turned up to high. What I really love is that they are so much quieter (almost unnoticable) than my gas logs with the fan running.
Vent-Free Gas Logs - I have used them since 1997. They work great, heats my entire house (2500+ sq. ft.) (Even when the power is out) Back in the late 90s, the tanks rental fee was about $25 (or so). As it got more expensive, I purchased my own 120 (gallon) tank, and now I can buy gas from whom ever I choose. (Around $500 to $600 for a new vertical 120 gallon tank) Many times propane companies will MATCH a competitor's gas price IF YOU OWN THE TANK. If the gas company owns the tank, then by law, you are NOT permitted to have it filled by another company. I usually pre-buy propane in August for the entire winter. Pre-Buy price is less expensive than paying market price in January and February. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want a less expensive route. It is also possible to buy a 100 (lb) (not gallon) tank, and if it is properly fitted with a GAUGE and PROPER FILL value, ANY propane company will come and fill it, just like the larger tanks. The price per gallon is usually LESS expensive when a propane company delivers to you AND you own the tank. Getting a propane tank filled, at a gas station, is NOT cheap, on a price per gallon basis. PLEASE BEWARE I have had PROPANE COMPANIES SAY THEY WON'T deliver gas, unless its is their tank. This is NOT TRUE. You have to tell them that you OWN the tank. If they tell you that it not possible, just call another propane company. Gas (Propane) Companies are NOT interested in giving you a tank, unless you are buying LOTs of propane. I use between 250 and 300 gallons of propane per year. I only use propane for Vent-Free Gas Logs. As for VENTED GAS LOGs, they Look Very Nice, but will NOT provide heat that is useful. Having a carbon monoxide detector is always a good idea. That's my 2 cents.
