Contemporary Fireplace Burners and Heaters

Answer:

While most of the river rock kits we offer are for use in select direct vent models, you can indeed install the following vent-free stone sets inside an existing woodburning fireplace:

Alterna Vent-Free FireStone Gas Burner Set with Remote Control - Natural Gas

Alterna Vent-Free FireStone Gas Burner Set with Remote Control - Propane

Answer:

Depending on the manufacturer and model of the fireplace, it may indeed be possible to swap out the millivolt valve for an electronic version. In regards to the standing pilot, the reason this is used so often is twofold. Standing pilot systems are reliable. Electronic valves require the use of several flame sensors and a circuit board. Because of this, they do not have the life expectancy of a millivolt valve. The other reason is that standing pilot valves use the pilot to generate their own electricity. As such, the unit does not require outside voltage to operate and will still function in a power outage. Only a few electronic valves have battery backups and these will only offer limited lighting capability.