Are Ventless Fireplaces really that bad?
Oct 08, 2019 · Because of CO safety concerns, ventless gas fireplaces are banned in California and Canada. Other ventless gas fireplace concerns Beyond CO poisoning, another concern with ventless gas fireplaces...
How to operate a ventless gas fireplace safely?
Oct 21, 2021 · Vent-Free Fireplaces Are Banned in Some States You may want a ventless fireplace, but that doesn’t mean you can have a ventless fireplace. This type of fireplace is closely regulated. In some states, like California, they’re outright banned. In other states, like Massachusetts, you need a permit and can’t put them in a bedroom or bathroom.
How can I vent my ventless fireplace?
Apr 03, 2019 · Vent-free, gas fireplace units have also been known to emit water vapor over time. While water vapor may not be a direct hazard to human beings like carbon monoxide is, when a copious amount of damp, warm air begins to fill the home, some serious damage can be caused. For starters, you may start to see your wall paper peel.
What is the best vent free fireplace?
What it comes down to are these two questions, (1) are they safe? and (2) what advantages do they offer? 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.
How long can you leave a ventless fireplace on?
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.Jan 10, 2022
Can you leave a ventless fireplace on all night?
In general, you should not run an unvented fireplace for more than three hours at a time. If you are using natural gas, you can usually run your fireplace for up to four hours before needing to refuel. If you are using propane, the limit is typically two hours.Oct 6, 2021
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.Aug 22, 2013
How are vent free fireplaces safe?
Ventless Gas Fireplaces Can Affect Those Vulnerable to Carbon Monoxide. No matter how you swing it, even if your ventless gas fireplace is working correctly, it will emit small amounts of carbon monoxide.Oct 21, 2021
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?
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.Dec 2, 2021
Are fumes from gas fireplace harmful?
When fossil fuels completely combust, they produce carbon dioxide, but when gas fireplaces are improperly ventilated or maintained, the combustion can be incomplete. This incomplete combustion creates carbon monoxide with the accompanying risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.Mar 1, 2022
Which is better vented or ventless gas fireplace?
It all depends on your needs, but vented sets have a more realistic flame and can be used in an existing real wood fireplace, while ventless logs are more efficient. A gas fireplace makes a great alternative for homeowners looking for a supplemental heat source that also provides a beautiful ambience.Jan 1, 2020
Does a ventless fireplace need a chimney?
Ventless fireplaces are typically freestanding units that don't require a flue or chimney to exhaust combustion air to the outdoors, making them relatively easy to install in any room.
How do you keep a ventless fireplace from smelling?
Vacuum up pet hair and dust to prevent the smells from concentrating around your fireplace. A room air purifier will also help to clear the air. Also, if you smoke, it's best to do so outside to prevent residue from accumulating around your fireplace. Plug-in deodorizers and harsh cleaning chemicals should be avoided.Jul 28, 2021
Can a ventless fireplace make you sick?
Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses. The CDC warns against exposure of any level of carbon monoxide, stating that up to 500 people die per year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.Feb 11, 2020
Why are ventless fireplaces illegal?
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.
Can ventless gas logs 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.Dec 3, 2017
How can I tell if my ventless gas fireplace has been converted?
Check the packaging or instructions. If there is a sticker that says vent free, then it most likely has been modified to be used indoors. There sho...
Is it possible to convert my ventless gas fireplace back?
Yes, but you should consult a professional. There are many necessary steps that must be taken in order for your unit to function properly again. It...
What if I want to use my ventless gas fireplace indoors?
You will need a professional installer and skilled technician to do the work for you, as it is dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death...
How do I safely use my ventless gas fireplace?
Make sure you follow all of the instructions provided with your unit, including installation and maintenance. Always keep a working smoke detector...
How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace?
Yeager charges around $900 for a ventless gas fireplace installation that includes gas logs, which typically cost between $200 and $300 if purchased separately. Gas logs for vented fireplaces cost $1,200 to $1,400, he says.
Who is the owner of Steve the Fireplace Guy?
Ventless fireplace maintenance. On the other hand, Steve Swerdlin, owner of Steve the Fireplace Guy in Olney, Maryland, endorses ventless fireplaces. He says vent-free fireplaces that are properly installed and serviced annually should function well.
Is ventless fireplace outlawed in Maryland?
The District of Columbia bans the fireplaces only in bedrooms or bathrooms, but Virginia and Maryland don ’t restrict them. California banned ventless fireplaces because of the risks, but no other states outlaw their use.
Do ventless fireplaces burn more?
If you plan to use a ventless fireplace to save money, make sure you consider the safety concerns. Some service providers say unvented fireplaces burn more efficiently than their vented gas-powered counterparts and cost less to install.
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.
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.
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.
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 is ventless fireplace?
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 ...
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 ...
How many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in a year?
The CDC warns against exposure of any level of carbon monoxide, stating that up to 500 people die per year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. In order to be used safely ventless fireplaces require carbon monoxide detectors and automatic shutoff valves that measure the oxygen levels in a room. In addition to carbon monoxide, ventless ...
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.
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.
Is ventless gas bad for you?
Ventless gas fireplaces emit dangerous and noxious gasses into the room they are operating . Without proper ventilation and safety systems in place there can be serious health risks associated with burning gas in a ventless fireplace. Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses.
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 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.
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 long does a ventless fireplace burn?
No plumbing is required, as these units use alcohol-based gel fuel canisters that burn for up to three hours. The major price difference between the two types of fireplaces is the cost of venting.
Do ventless fireplaces have vents?
However, ventless fireplaces have neither of the two outdoor vents found in vented unit s. Instead, combustion air for the burner is drawn into the fireplace from the air inside the home, and exhaust fumes also remain inside the home.
Is ventless fireplace dangerous?
This may sound dangerous, but ventless fireplaces are engineered in a manner that minimi zes the exhaust fumes. A special regulator creates a fine mixture of gas and air that burns extremely cleanly, and the units are carefully tested in approved laboratories before they can be sold.
