6 Hour Safety Shutdown
- This is a standard feature on all Ambient Technologies, and Signature Command Remote Controls. When the remote is in the ON position, the unit will shut down if no function is sent after 6 hours.
7 Day Programmable Thermostat Remote Control
(5/2) - This function allows you to program your thermostat setting for Monday to Friday (5) and on the weekend (2). Four ON/OFF times per day.
A
A/C Receiver -
The 110v receiver for remote control systems that plugs in and does not require batteries.
Air Tubes -
Air tubes supply the secondary air into the firebox which is required for the re-burning of gases created by the process of combustion. Air tubes ensure a more complete combustion as well as facilitating a cleaner burn.
Andirons -
A pair of decorative iron posts with short legs and a horizontal bar that lift the logs just above the floor of the fireplace, supporting the logs and acting as a guard to keep them from falling out. They also allow a draft of air to pass around the log set, enabling proper burning and minimizing smoke.
B
Basic Wall Thermostat -
Provides a manually set means of maintaining a controlled temperature in the rooms surrounding your fireplace. Ambient Technologies offers a variety of basic wall thermostats that are compatible with virtually all makes and models of hearth appliances.
Blower -
A motor driven fan that blows the warmed air from your fireplace further into the room.
Brick Liner
- Creates the look of a traditional masonry fireplace by lining the interior of a gas fireplace with ceramic panels – available in a variety of traditional brick patterns and colors.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) -
Technically, the measurement used to calculate how much heat is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This is the term used to describe the heating capacity of a fireplace, stove or log set in order to determine which heating appliance is best suited to the square-footage that requires heating.
Burn Rate -
The number of pounds of fuel consumed in one hour of combustion.
Burner
- Found in gas stoves and fireplaces, this is the pan or tubes that carry the gas used for combustion. The burner is found underneath the log set or, in contemporary style units, under the glass beads or stones that replace the traditional log set.
B-Vent
- Also referred to as Natural Vent, a B-Vent fireplace or stove is a gas-fuelled unit that gets its combustion air from the home rather than the outside but vents exhaust from the combustion process to the outside.
C
Cast Iron
- The process of heating iron to a liquid form and pouring it into molds. All Vermont Castings cast iron products are made from recycled and reclaimed cast iron using environmentally friendly sand molds for casting. Vermont Castings cast iron stoves and fireplaces are all handcrafted and proudly made in Vermont, USA.
Ceramic Fiber Logs -
Ceramic fiber is a lightweight but delicate compound used to create realistic looking logs for gas burning fireplaces, stoves and log sets. Ceramic fiber creates a natural looking red glow when touched by the gas fire flames.
Ceramic Glass
- A much safer alternative to tempered glass which can explode at higher temperatures, ceramic glass is tested and certified to withstand very high temperatures as well as allowing heat to radiate through its non-glare finish.
Chase
- A purposefully built structure enclosing portions of the chimney on the exterior of the house.
Chimney -
The final part of the venting system through which the exhaust gases from the combustion process are vented to the outside.
Clearance
- The minimum required distance between a fireplace or stove and any combustible objects or materials such as carpeting as stated in fire and building codes.
Combustible Material
- Combustible materials are those that will ignite and burn as applied to the minimum required clearance for walls, floors and ceilings surrounding fireplaces and stoves. Combustible materials can include, but are not limited to, wood, paper, natural or synthetic fiber materials, and plastic, etc.
Combustion -
The chemical process of the rapid oxidation of fuel resulting in the production of heat and light – or “burning”.
Combustion Chamber -
The space within a fireplace or stove where the combustion process occurs that is made up of the burner, brick liner, firebox and a glass door that seals when closed.
D
D/C Receiver
- Receiver for remote control systems that uses batteries for power.
Dip Switch
- A switch within the remotes transmitter that allows the frequency to be changed when two or more remotes systems are being used.
Direct Vent -
Direct vent fireplaces, stoves and inserts eliminate the need for a traditional chimney. Direct Vent appliances draw combustion air from the outdoors as well as exhausting to the outdoors using a pipe venting system finished on the exterior with a vent cap. Direct Vent appliances are often vented up through the roof or out to the side or back of the building. Direct Vent units must have a sealed glass door to maintain proper combustion and to ensure efficiency and indoor air quality.
E
Efficiency
- The percentage of heat that goes into the room instead of being vented to the outdoors.
Electronic Ignition
- A burner ignition system that uses an electric current rather than a live spark.
Emissions
- The unburned smoke and gases that are left over after the combustion process is complete. Vermont Castings has 6 of the top 10 cleanest burning stoves in the industry.
Enamel -
The high gloss colored finish on the outside of a cast iron stove. The enamel is baked on permanently and offers a high quality, high endurance finish. Vermont Castings offers a variety of enamel color finishes including Biscuit, Bordeaux, Ebony Black and Majolica Brown.
Energy Efficiency -
The percentage of the energy content of the fuel that is consumed and becomes heat in the house. All vent free Monessen products will burn at 99.9% efficiency.
F
Factory Built Fireplace -
As opposed to a masonry fireplace which is built as part of a home or other building and that has, as part of its construction, a chimney, a factory built fireplace is a manufactured firebox inside of a steel cabinet.
Filigree
- Delicate and intricate ornamentation that enhances the design of a fireplace. It is available in various decorative patterns and finishes such as Black, Brushed Pewter and Iron Age.
Flue / Vent
- The passage, generally leading outdoors, through which the exhaust passes.
Flue Collar
- The connection point between the vent and the chimney.
G
Gas Fireplace Insert
- Generally used to convert existing masonry wood fireplaces to gas fireplaces to improve their efficiency, a gas fireplace insert is placed inside an existing masonry fireplace opening or in a metal factory built firebox.
Gas Valve
- A control that regulates and controls gas flow to the appliance.
Grate
- A heavy platform made of cast iron or metal that holds a log set in a firebox.
H
Hearth
- Usually made from non-combustible brick or tile, this is the area under and sometimes in front of the stove or fireplace.
Heat Output
- Expressed in BTU’s per hour, this is the amount of usable heat produced by a heating appliance.
Heating Capacity -
The maximum amount of BTU’s per hour that a heating appliance is able to generate.
L
LCD -
Liquid Crystal Diode used in the display screen of remotes.
Liquid Propane (LP) -
An excellent alternative to natural gas or other fuel types, propane is colorless, non-toxic, clean-burning and non-damaging to soil and water. It is available in pressurized cylinders for home use.
Louvers
A series of narrow parallel slats framed at the ends which slant or overlap and allow circulation of air. Louvers enhance the look of a circulating fireplace and are available in numerous decorative finishes to match any décor.
M
Mantel -
This is a decorative shelf component that is placed above the fireplace on the wall. They are often made of brick, marble, wood, stone or concrete.
Masonry -
A term derived from the original stone masons, masonry describes anything constructed of stone, brick or tile such as mantels, surrounds, chimneys and hearths.
Millivolt Valve System
- This is a valve system for gas fireplaces and stoves that uses a small internal generator called a thermocouple to provide enough power to hold the gas valve open for the pilot light and main burner operation. The energy required to do this is generated by the heat from the pilot light and therefore, if there is a power outage, the fireplace will still be usable.
O
ODS
- Oxygen Depletion Sensor
This will automatically shut down the unit in the event that the oxygen level in the room reaches a potentially unsafe level.
Operating Range
- The distance from which a hand held remote control can operate the gas fireplace, stove or secondary components. Ambient Technologies remote controls offer superior convenience with operations distances of 30 feet.
Outside Air Kit
- Recommended for “tightly constructed” or well-insulated homes, an outside air kit provides air from the outdoors to the fireplace or stove to facilitate the combustion process rather than drawing air from inside.
P
Peninsula Fireplace -
A fireplace with a view from three sides.
Piezo Ignitor
- A device which delivers an igniting spark by means of pressure on a crystal.
Pilot
- The pilot is a small flame that is used to ignite the gas in the main burner of the fireplace or stove. Generally pilots are “standing pilots” meaning that they remain lit at all times, however MHSC’s Signature CommandTM technology provides the ability to light the pilot only as required – providing environmentally friendly operation that qualifies for green points under LEED and other green building programs.
Programmable Wall Thermostat -
A programmable version of a basic wall thermostat that allows for different temperature settings throughout the day to maintain an optimum comfort level.
R
Radiant Heat -
The heat that is distributed outwards from a central point of heat. Radiant heat heats objects in its path and the closer you get to the source of the heat, the more heat you feel.
Receiver
- Acquires the radio signal from the transmitter and indicates the function.
Regulator
- A pressure device used to regulate the flow of gas.
Remote Control -
A handheld wireless device that allows for the convenient operation of a gas fireplace or stove from anywhere in the room. Remotes come in a variety of types including on/off and thermostatic models and some, such as those available in the unique Signature CommandTM System, also offer secondary control of other appliances and fireplace features.
Rheostat
- An electrical switch that varies the current flow to the fan changing the speed.
S
Safety Shutoff
- A standard safety feature that shuts off the gas supply to the pilot / main burner if the ignition fails to light. As it is powered by the thermocouple, the safety shutoff will also work in the event of a power failure.
Signature Command System -
The Signature Command™ System is the most feature enhanced and energy efficient collection of fireplace components on the market today. Unlike any other fireplace available, the addition of Signature Command™ gives you the control to make your fireplace the most energy efficient and convenient to operate. Featuring an electronic ignition system and the option of cold climate pilot and flame height control at the touch of a button, automatic battery backup system, accent lighting control and blower speed with time delay control, you’ll enjoy the comfort of your fireplace like never before. And, with our innovative Touch Screen thermostat remote control including the “Smart Mode®” feature, your fireplace will be the most energy efficient Greenfireplace system on the market today.
Smart Mode
- A function of the Signature command TSFSC, TSFRSL and TSTSC remotes that allow the flame height and fan spread to automatically adjust, according to room temperature.
T
Termination
- The very last component of a chimney system, this is the point of exit for all combustion exhaust.
Termination Cap / Chimney Cap
- The finished cap or end of the chimney system that is mounted on the outside wall or roof. Not only do they provide a finished look to the chimney system but they help to prevent entry and nesting in terminations by birds and small animals.
Thermocouple -
Like an internal generator, the thermocouple (30 MV) is powered by the heat of the pilot and powers the safety shut off device operation.
Thermodisk -
A metal disk shaped temperature sensing device that, when heated, will bend and allow an electric current to activate the blower motor.
Thermopile -
Internal generator, when heat is applied to the thermopile (750 MV) an electric current is created, allowing the valve coil to be operated open or closed to send gas flow to the main fireplace burner.
Transmitter -
The control that send the radio signal to the receiver.
Trim Kit
- Decorative bars that are attached to the inside edge of a fireplace to complete the installation and add a stylish accent. Trim kits are available in numerous sizes and finishes to help create a look to match any décor.
V
Vent-Free
- Vent free or unvented fireplaces, stoves and inserts operate without an exterior venting system. Vent free appliances draw combustion air from inside the home and are designed to burn so efficiently (up to 99.9%) as to eliminate the need for venting. Currently vent free appliances can be installed in most areas of the United Sates. Please check with your local building official for approvals in your area.
W
Warming Shelves -
Decorative and functional stove accessories that are attached to the sides of a stove. Each warming shelf contains two mitten racks that are used for warming clothing or other items on the stove.
Z
Zero Clearance Fireplace
- Zero clearance fireplaces are factory-built gas fireplaces that can be installed where there is no existing fireplace – generally on any inside wall that allows for the proper venting – and are tremendously popular for renovations and new home construction. In fact, adding a zero clearance fireplace to an existing home is a relatively inexpensive way to add value. The term zero clearance refers to that fact that they can be safely installed in direct contact with combustible floors and walls since they are manufactured using multiple layer construction with an inner and outer shell for maximum heat insulation.
