Home > Fireplace Resources > Finding The Comfort Zone
Valor has played a major role in revolutionizing the fireplace industry. For over 45 years, we have introduced thousands of North American families to distinct hearth products and superior home comfort.
We continue to set new standards in gas fireplace efficiency, comfort control, and fashionable design. The result, quality made energy-efficient gas fireplaces that house an impressive collection of uniquely styled trims and accessories.
Our mission is to be a leader in the design and production of innovative, energy-efficient home comfort products that will satisfy homeowners throughout the United States & Canada.
Customize Your Heating Experience
Radiant heat from an energy-efficient gas fireplace provides the ideal level of comfort. Take advantage of adjustable heat, modulating controls, safety features, and more.
What is the Comfort Zone?
The Comfort Zone is that area in your home that can attain an even comfort level using a steady burning efficient heat source like a Valor fireplace Heater. Depending on your house layout and fireplace location, the Comfort Zone may be one room or a complete level or zone. In Fall or Spring, a Valor may easily provide comfort for the entire home. Too large a heat output will overheat your room.
Many competitive brands promote large BTU input models playing the old "bigger is better" game. With a truly efficient zone heater, this is simply not the case.
Radiant heat and the Comfort Zone
From the warming rays of the sun to the embers of a hot open fire, people have enjoyed the soothing sensation of radiant heat since the beginning of time. Valor fireplaces are designed to provide the maximum amount of forward-focused radiant heat, up to 40% of total heater output. By comparison, a central warm-air furnace delivers no radiant heat. Besides the superior feel of the heat, advantages of radiant heat include - faster heat, warmer floors, walls, and furniture.
You will also feel more comfortable at lower room air temperature settings, providing further opportunity for energy savings.
Why is adjustable heat so important?
All Valor heaters are designed with variable heat controls that you can turn down very low if required. You'd be surprised how many competitive brands can only be turned down a little or not at all. Valor's wide operating range and ease of adjustment allows you to match the Heat Output to the heat required providing maximum use and enjoyment.
A large BTU fireplace with limited turn down is just another furnace and will not provide a true Comfort Zone.
What are modulating controls?
Valor control systems, when set to thermostat mode, automatically adjust (modulate) the burning rate to match the heat requirement of the room. You select the temperature you desire on the handheld remote control and the fireplace regulates itself, burning as low or high as needed to keep an even room temperature.
By contrast, conventional thermostats regulate heat by turning burners on and off rather than up or down.results in fluctuating room temperatures and a fire effect that is unnatural and erratic.
What's a BTU?
A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a unit of measurement for energy. We use BTUs to measure the heating capacity or output of Valor gas fireplaces. It represents the amount of heat that the gas fireplace can produce in one hour.
What is a BTU?
A BTU or British Thermal Unit is the amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. All gas appliances are rated in BTU's/hr Input which is an approximation of the amount of gas consumed on full fire in one hour as expressed in terms of the heat potential of the gas.
Depending on the design and efficiency of the appliance, a certain proportion of the heat generated from burning ends up as useful heat in the room (Heat Output) while some portion is lost to vents and chimneys (Flue Loss).
How many BTU's will I need?
The amount of heat you will require will depend on a number of factors such as room size, insulation levels, amount and type of windows, climate and the type and use of other heating systems in the home. It will also vary from hour to hour, day to day and season to season because of these same factors.
To give you a general guideline, studies average winter home heat requirement was between 10,000 and 20,000 BTU/hr. Specifically, a 1300 square foot house in Vermont with average insulation required 14,000 BTU/hr in January and February.
Efficient Heating Solutions
Valor gas fireplaces offer efficient heating solutions, including HeatShift™-allowing your walls to stay cool above the fireplace, heating when the power fails, and the need for no fan.
Should a fan be installed?
Valor fireplace heaters are so effective at producing both radiant and convected heat that a fan or blower will not do a lot to improve your comfort. Blowers cannot deliver radiant heat, nor will they influence air circulation much beyond the immediate area of the fireplace.
Consider the Remote Blower Kit to distribute heat to other areas of your home or target specific areas you frequent the most.
Will my fireplace work without power?
Engineered to circulate air through natural convection, Valor gas fireplaces are highly efficient without a fan - providing reliable heat, even during a power failure. Valor gas fireplaces are fully functional heaters that do not require a main power source to heat your home.
Save energy with a Valor gas fireplace. When the power fails - your Valor won't.
Valor HeatShift™
Valor's unique HeatShift™ system transfers the convective heat up through the ducts in the wall and directs it back into the room near the ceiling, bypassing the surface areas above and around the fireplace. This means that your TVs, artwork, and decor items will be safe when a Valor with HeatShift is installed in your home.
Enjoy the peace of mind that surrounding walls, artwork, electronics, and construction materials stay cool and protected with HeatShift.
Zone Heating
Zone heating refers to heating specific areas or zones within a home rather than the entire living space. With a Valor gas fireplace installed in one or more of your main living spaces, you can enjoy increased comfort while reducing furnace usage in colder months or eliminating it during warmer Spring and Fall seasons.
Take advantage of zone heating to deliver warmth to the spaces you frequent the most - a great alternative to central heating.
Find a Valor Fireplaces Dealer Near You
Looking to upgrade your home with a reliable heating source? Visit a local authorized Valor dealership to learn more and feel the warmth.
Experienced Dealer Support
A Valor gas fireplace provides choice and reliability to all of our customers. Visit a dealer today to feel the warmth in person.
Valor fireplaces are sold across Canada & the United States through our authorized dealer network. Our dealers are ther to ensure that owning a Valor is a truly enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Find a Valor Dealer