My fireplace is SUPER drafty and we think the damper doesn't close correctly.

Any recommendations for a reputable company that can take a look/repair?

Also looking for recommendations on changes to make so that the gas logs are actual sources of some level of heat vs. just cosmetic/ambiance.

- better logs?
- fire back?

You need to convert to some kind of insert that will claim a bit of the heat produced by the fire and redistribute it to the room. There is no other way. The best you can have is a Rumford style fireplace but you are using old technology either way. I am as well. My fireplace heats well and radiates heat. Coupled with an external air intake, its about as good as it gets. However, it does not heat like our wood burning stove growing up that had catalytic heating elements with electric fans pumping mesquite burned heat back into the room. You could turn a 30x30 living room into a sweat lodge with it and that's not a joke.

Almost all fireplaces radiate heat immediately next to the fireplace, but send a whole lot of rest of the house's warm air up the chimney. Gas logs are the least efficient since you're paying to burn gas. Wood burning is better if you aren't paying for the wood, but still a net loss in heat. Like Brazos said, inserts are a ton better. Anything else will result in a cooler house when being used. Your fireplace is to look pretty, not to heat your house.

Now if the area next to your fireplace is colder than the rest of the house when the damper is closed and the doors are shut, it's time to call a chimney guy to take a look.

Am not in your location to help with contractors to solve this per se but agree you are in the right track.
In pursuit of this path, please avoid nonvented solutions and if employed always have a damper partially open.


Me thinks you are a candidate for a much better solution
= DirectVent gas fireplace sans any power accessories
https://www.heatnglo.com/ideas/venting-explained

You may search for a brand or directvent dealer in your area to give a cost projection on renovation other
than HeatNglo, such as Superior and many others. This is NOT best served by a big box store solution.

Consider finding a fireback for the back wall which can increase the heat like 50%.

My gas logs were terrible during the snow / ice storm a few years ago so I pulled them out and brought in heat reflecting stones and a heavy iron fireback and it was a success in generating much more heat out further into the room. Lots of choices on design and style out there.