Are Ventless Fireplaces really that bad?
Are Ventless Fireplaces bad for you? Ventless fireplaces have been found to be a home for harmful bacteria, germs and mold. It is the perfect place for them since it’s warm and humid inside a ventless fireplace which sustains their growth. This can cause serious respiratory illnesses in both adults and kids.
Are vent free gas fireplaces dangerous?
Ventless gas fireplaces emit dangerous and noxious gasses into the room they are operating. … Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses.
Do gas fireplaces need venting?
Ventless gas fireplaces do not require any form of venting. These ‘ventless’ or ‘vent-free’ types of gas fireplace burn the gas fuel so cleanly that they’re rated for internal use with no external verting or exhaust requirements. A ventless gas fireplace will use the oxygen supply within the air in your home.
Are unvented fireplace logs considered safe?
Ventless gas fireplaces have severe laws against fume emissions. Below we have attempted to explain the safety features that allow a certified vent-free gas log to be safe indoors without adequate ventilation to remove fumes created when gas burns. For additional information, see our blog site at:
How long can you run a ventless gas fireplace?
How long can you run a ventless fireplace? Most experts recommend that you run a ventless fireplace for no longer than 3 hours at a time, and some suggest running it for only up to 2 hours.
Can a ventless fireplace make you sick?
One of the greatest risks of using a ventless fireplace is that of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly inside your home. Specifically, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that, in high enough concentrations, can lead to serious health problems such as: nausea. dizziness.
What states have banned ventless gas fireplaces?
Massachusetts, California, and a number of other states in the U.S., as well as Canada and other countries, have outlawed ventless gas fireplaces due to the aforementioned safety concerns.
How much carbon monoxide does a ventless fireplace produce?
Conclusion: It is nearly impossible for a ventless fireplace to cause an dangerous (>20,000ppm) level of CO2 concentration in a house, even if left on all the time. However, since no specific level of CO2 concentration affects everyone the same, one person may feel light headed while others are fine.
Should the flue be open on a ventless gas fireplace?
Ventless gas logs are designed to be burned with the damper closed, so they must be designed to burn the gas completely (cleanly) so that carbon monoxide does not enter the room.
How do you get the gas smell out of a ventless fireplace?
Opening the window can help to get rid of some of the odor from a vent-free fireplace. Many vent-free gas fireplaces warm a room up in a hurry, so you may want to open your window to let out a little of the heat — and the smell.
Are gas fireplaces going to be outlawed?
Cities across California are enacting bans or restrictions on natural gas. Last year, the state advanced a plan that says every new home needs to be “electric-ready,” which is regulator code for “we can't ban natural gas, so we'll just mandate that you install something else to make it cost prohibitive.”
Why does California ban ventless fireplaces?
Ventless fireplaces are often restricted or illegal because of safety concerns, specifically due to the fact that they might introduce noxious combustion by-products into your home's air supply.
Are gas fireplaces going to be banned?
In 2019, the city council in Berkeley, California, held a stunning vote: it would ban natural gas hookups in all new building construction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the city's impact on the climate crisis. No gas furnaces in new homes, the council said. No gas stoves or ovens.
Is it OK to run gas fireplace all day?
You can run a vented gas fireplace all day with little concern for anything other than gas usage.
Do you need a blower for a ventless gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces do not need a blower. Gas fireplaces can be used for hours without a blower as long as the gas fireplace is well vented. This is because a gas fireplace blower is an external unit. It is not an in-built part of the gas fireplace, so the gas fireplace can function without the blower.
Is it OK to leave gas fireplace on overnight?
An overall rule for safe gas fireplace usage is to not let your fireplace—no matter which style—operate throughout the night. Unmonitored gas fireplaces can lead to dangerous, often fatal, outcomes. The two most concerning outcomes of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long are a house fire or a gas leak.
Can ventless fireplaces cause headaches?
Few homeowners are still unaware of the odorless and colorless gas. It can cause all sorts of health problems ranging from mild headaches to death. If you decide to install a vent-free gas fireplace do yourself favor and install multiple carbon monoxide detectors in your home, including near the fireplace.
Can a gas fireplace make you feel sick?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.
Do ventless heaters produce carbon monoxide?
When properly maintained and adjusted, gas heaters produce low amounts of carbon monoxide. One cause of carbon monoxide poisoning from unvented heaters– incomplete combustion caused by lack of air–has been virtually eliminated in newer heaters by use of Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS).
Do ventless heaters cause mold?
Humidity is a huge concern with any unvented heater. For every gallon of gas burned, you're essentially putting a gallon of water into the air This water vapor is reburned through the ventless heater which can result in mold in your home.
Why is there no vent in a fireplace?
This is because the gas or propane insert creates no smoke, just a flame and its subsequent heat.
Why are gas stoves not harmful?
With respect to the latter argument, part of the reason why gas stoves are not harmful is that they are rarely opened all the way for more than one burner at a time. This limits the amount of gas emissions tremendously.
What happens if you leave a burning candle in the oven?
Still, if you turned up each burner full blast, opened the oven and set it to broil, and left a burning candle in your home while you ran some errands, you might come home to a pile of rubble, or at the very least a super toxic gas problem.
Can ventless fireplaces run for hours?
This type of perspective is important to consider as you shop for ventless fireplace units. With a properly sized unit that only runs occasionally or a few hours at a time, there will likely be no problems.
Is carbon monoxide poisonous?
Carbon monoxide is by far the most widely known of the dangerous gasses. Part of this notoriety stems from the fact that it is scentless and colorless. Thus, if a leak were to spring in your home’s gas line, there would be no way of knowing until the harmful health effects began to take shape.
Is a gas insert worth it?
The installation will be more costly and it will not operate as efficiently, letting much of its heat out through the ventilation, it can be worth it for those with persistent safety concerns.
Is there a pros and cons to a wood burning fireplace?
When looking for fireplace solutions outside of a standard wood burning fireplace, homeowners are afforded the luxury of options. All, however, have some pros and cons that are important to consider. First and foremost, there is fuel.
Why is vent free fireplace bad?
Because a vent free fireplace doesn't have a flue, the water vapor that is produced as a result of combustion enters into the air of the home. This causes humidity. This can be either a good or a bad thing for the home. Humidity is great in the cold winter months for your skin. It keeps your nose from getting bloody, and your skin from drying out. However, humidity can also cause mold to grow on walls and condensation on the windows. Just monitor it and you should be fine.
How does a ventless gas fireplace work?
They do not require a flue, vent, or chimney, and can pretty much be installed anywhere. These particular types of fireplaces run off natural gas or propane.
What do you need for a vent free fireplace?
All you need is a gas supply line feeding it with fuel (natural gas or propane). There are so many different styles and types of vent-free fireplaces to choose from for your home. They can be just the thing you need to give your room the look it's been missing. When you are choosing out a vent free fireplace for your home be sure to pay close attention to the BTU's. This is how a fireplace is rated, and how much energy it consumes. If you are buying a fireplace for a small room in your house you should find a unit with fewer BTU's. It's important to follow those guidelines when you are picking out your fireplace.
What happens if you don't install vents?
If people don't install them correctly, or use them correctly, they could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide in a room. By doing your homework, and really studying up on these types of fireplaces, you can enjoy the benefits of a vent free fireplace without the safety concerns.
Is a vent free fireplace expensive?
Vent Free Fireplaces are Inexpensive. Because a vent free fireplace doesn't require a vent or chimney they are rather inexpensive to install in a home. Many people even use this type of fireplace as the main heat source in their room.
Is ventless gas safe?
Here are some facts about vent free gas fireplaces. The quick and simple answer to the question, are ventless fireplaces safe is yes, with the proper precautions. Everything in life comes with at least some trace of risk, so when we say it is safe, we mean relatively speaking.
What happens if you brush against a ventless fireplace?
If the flames brush against the log set inside your Ventless fireplace, the finishing material will burn off and create harmful byproducts that infiltrate your home.
What is the NFI number for ventless gas fireplaces?
Have more questions about Ventless gas fireplaces? We’d love to help! Call our team of NFI certified experts today at 800.919.1904.
How many BTUs per hour for ventless fireplace?
While Ventless fireplaces make great secondary heating sources, they are limited to a maximum of 40,000 BTUs per hour to ensure there is enough oxygen left in the room.
What media do ventless fireplaces come with?
Ventless fireplaces come with a variety of media options, like fire glass, gas logs, and river rocks and stones.
What is the gas in a ventless gas stove?
What remains will typically be made up of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
What do you need to know when installing ventless appliances?
If you’re installing a Ventless appliance in your home or commercial space, always take the safe route and check your local building, city, state, and fire codes, along with the minimum room size requirement to ensure your product is compliant.
Do ventless fireplaces need a chimney?
Ventless gas fireplaces don’t require a chimney or venting system of any kind, allowing all the heat that’s produced to stay inside your home.
What are Ventless Fireplaces?
Ventless fireplaces release the emissions of their burn, including noxious gases such as nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide, inside the home instead of outside the home like a direct vent fireplace. Ventless fireplaces use interior air for combustion, which includes anything present in the air and on the burner and release all emissions inside the room they operate – dramatically decreasing the air quality you breathe.
Which states have banned ventless fireplaces?
There are several states and local counties/cities that have banned the sale and installation of indoor ventless fireplaces including California and Massachusetts. For more accurate information about the legality of indoor ventless fireplaces consult your local government ...
What is a B vent?
Natural Vent gas fireplaces (B-Vent) use air from within the home for combustion and release emissions outside the home. Ventless fireplaces use air from within the home and release emissions within the home – resulting in poor air quality and potential health risks. Learn more about the different types of fireplace venting.
What type of venting is used for a fireplace?
Direct Vent gas fireplaces use outside air for combustion and release all emissions outside the home in a sealed system. Natural Vent gas fireplaces (B-Vent) use air from within the home for combustion ...
How does an electric fireplace work?
Electric fireplaces are the best way to add the warmth, comfort, and ambiance of a fireplace when venting is not an option.
Does ventless fireplace cause mold?
In addition to carbon monoxide, ventless fireplaces also produce a high levels of water vapor. The increased level of water vapor in the home will increase humidity, increasing the risk of mold growth.
Can ventless fireplaces be placed in bathrooms?
The National Building Code requires a ventless fireplace to be placed in rooms with a certain square footage and are restricted from being placed in bathrooms and bedrooms. In addition, the building code requires a fresh air source to be within a certain distance of the fireplace. Consult local experts to get specific policies in your area.
What is ventless fireplace?
A ventless fireplace ( view example on Amazon) contains a regulator that produces a fine mixture of gas and air in a way that allows the gas to burn cleanly. This greatly reduces the fumes associated with traditional gas fireplaces.
Why is a ventless fireplace more efficient than a vented fireplace?
Ventless fireplaces are more energy efficient than vented fireplaces because no heat escapes up the flue, so you’ll save money on gas utility bills. A vented gas fireplace uses more gas to create the same level of warmth because some of its heat escapes through the flue.
How does a gas fireplace work?
A traditional vented gas fireplace ( view example on Amazon ), fueled by either natural gas or propane, has two vents that run to the exterior of the house. The intake vent draws fresh air into the fireplace while the exhaust vent safely removes fumes of the combustion (burning) process.
Why does a ventless fireplace shut off automatically?
Because a ventless fireplace does not have a fresh air intake vent, the fire burns the oxygen in the room. If the oxygen drops to an unhealthy low, the oxygen detector will shut off the fireplace automatically. Likewise, should the CO detector sense carbon monoxide, it will also shut off the fireplace automatically.
How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace?
The intake vent draws fresh air into the fireplace while the exhaust vent safely removes fumes of the combustion (burning) process. You’ll pay $3,500 to $8,000 or more, depending on fireplace quality and the amount of remodeling to be done, to purchase a vented gas fireplace and have it professionally installed.
How to know if you have carbon monoxide in your house?
Install additional CO detectors throughout your house. Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, and if the detector on your fireplace malfunctions, the other detectors will let you know if carbon monoxide is present in your home.
How far away should you keep flammables from a fireplace?
Keep flammables, such as draperies, upholstered furniture, blankets and papers a minimum of three feet away from the fireplace and warn young children not to touch its surface, which can become very hot.
What is a ventless gas fireplace?
Also known as unvented or vent-free fireplaces, a ventless gas fireplace operates with natural gas or liquid propane (LP) that flows into a gas burner mounted in the fireplace. When ignited, the flames run through gaps in artificial ceramic fiber logs, giving the illusion of a real wood-burning fireplace.
Why are ventless fireplaces so popular?
Even though few homes today rely on fireplaces as their primary heating source, many homeowners still enjoy the ambiance of a warm fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces, in particular, are popular because they're clean and easy to use.
How much does a ventless fireplace cost?
By contrast, a ventless fireplace costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Article Sources.
What is the difference between a gas fireplace and a direct vent fireplace?
Direct-vent gas fireplaces require two vents in the back: one that expels gases and another that draws in fresh air from the outside. (Some direct-vent fireplaces are vented with a single two-chamber vent pipe).
How much does it cost to install a ventless fireplace?
By contrast, a ventless fireplace costs between $1,000 and $5,000.
What are the problems with venting a fireplace?
Venting a fireplace is especially complicated in retrofit installations, where it can be problematic to find a route for the chimney flue. Another issue with fireplaces concerns the energy loss. Wood-burning fireplaces are inherently inefficient, since a good deal of the home's heat inevitably escapes up the flue rather than radiating into interior spaces. Vented gas fireplaces are somewhat better at retaining heat, but modern homes are now being built so airtight that even a vented gas fireplace may create negative air pressure that hinders good exhaust. Air flowing out a chimney vent flue can even prevent combustion gases from other appliances from exhausting properly.
How many vents are there in a gas fireplace?
In a traditional vented gas fireplace, there are two vents that run to the outside of the home. One is a fresh-air intake that provides combustion air help the gas burn more efficiently. The other vent safely removes any exhaust gases created by burning the natural gas or LP to the outdoors.
