Turn on the fireplace. If the flames reach above the gas logs and the look like a wood burning fireplace, then the logs must be vented. If the flames are small, an have a blue cast, the fireplace is vent-free.
How can I vent my ventless fireplace?
Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Safety
- Check your Local Codes First. ...
- Buy for the Right Application. ...
- Buy the Right Size (BTU) Ventless gas heaters produce substantial amounts of water/moisture and carbon dioxide. ...
- Always Install an ODS. ...
- Always Burn the Unit with the Door Open. ...
- Consider a Fireplace Screen. ...
- Never Leave the Fire Unattended. ...
How much does a ventless gas fireplace cost?
Ventless gas logs, which are used without a chimney, cost between $350 and $600 without installation. Gas log installation usually costs between $200 and $350. You might pay an extra $100 or less for a permit. Your fireplace installer or a gas line plumber near you can get a gas work permit for you if your city requires it.
How much do Ventless Fireplaces cost?
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Ventless Gas Fireplace? Ventless inserts for a gasoline hearth can price you $2,000-$3,500 for the unit itself; set up can price an extra $200-$1,000. Keep in thoughts that good air flow continues to be a necessity with a ventless insert.
What is the best vent free fireplace?
- Includes remote control
- Heats up to 1,350 square feet
- Oxygen depletion sensor
How do I know if my fireplace is vented or not?
A vented fireplace has attractive yellow and orange flames that lick upward around the sides of the ceramic logs. An unvented fireplace, by contrast, has much less striking flames. These flames tend to be smaller and bluer. As a result, an unvented gas fireplace won't create quite the same illusion as a vented one.
How do I know what type of fireplace I have?
Each fireplace and insert has a rating plate which contains your model number and serial number. Gas and wood burning fireplaces have a rating plate in the control compartment area, under the smoke shield or on the firebox side column.
What is the difference between a ventless and direct vent fireplace?
The two main types of gas fireplaces available today are Direct Vent and Ventless. Direct Vent fireplaces require a venting system while Ventless fireplaces are just that - completely vent-free.
What does a ventless fireplace look like?
A ventless gas fireplace looks quite similar to a vented fireplace on the surface. It has a control panel that operates the pilot light, flames, and holes in ceramic artificial logs for the flame jets.
Can I burn wood in a vented gas fireplace?
No. As the name suggests, it's for burning gas only. Repeat: burning gas ONLY. A built-in gas fireplace's venting system is inadequate to deal with the smoke and vapors of a wood fire.
Can you burn Duraflame logs in a gas fireplace?
Can I use Duraflame logs in my gas fireplace? No, using Duraflame logs in a gas fireplace is not safe and can cause damage to your fireplace. Only use the type of fuel that is recommended for your fireplace.
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 you have a gas fireplace without a vent?
Are Ventless Gas Fireplaces Safe? 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.
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?
Vent-Free fireplaces have been very controversial in the fireplace industry for over decades. Many argue that these fireplaces are unsafe. In fact, in 1996, they were banned by Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts, however, after strong influence by the industry, all but California still bans them.
Do ventless fireplaces smell?
Ventless logs do in fact produce an unmistakable odor, some more so than others depending on the quality of the brand. There is no way of preventing this, it is simply the nature of burning gas in your home without exhausting the fumes up a chimney.
Can a ventless fireplace be vented?
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no way to convert a ventless fireplace into a vented fireplace. Ventless fireplaces are not designed to have a vent added to them. Your only alternative is to tear out the existing ventless fireplace and replace it with a vented fireplace.
How much does a ventless fireplace cost?
Meanwhile, ventless fireplaces tend to cost between $1000 to $4000. However, as a rule of thumb, you must also consider getting additional CO detectors. Since carbon monoxide is both odorless and tasteless, these detectors will help you a lot by seeing if CO levels are in check.
What is direct vent fireplace?
Just like we stated earlier, direct vent fireplaces rely on a combustion system that takes in fresh air from the outside while at the same time eliminating any toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. This system makes vented gas logs to produce yellow flames with 85% efficiency.
Do ventless fireplaces need a flue?
Just like its name implies, a ventless fireplace doesn’t need a flue to operate.
Can you install a ventless fireplace in a small room?
In case you install a ventless fireplace in a small room, then it will start to draw the oxygen from the room’s air, thus making your home’s insulation work much harder. In some cases, it’ll even require you to make extra windows for the vent-free fireplace to get the air it needs.
Do gas fireplaces have to be regulated by fire codes?
For safety purposes, both types of gas fireplaces must abide by local building and fire codes.
Do gas fireplaces need propane?
Unlike your traditional wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces require propane to start. Because of this, they don’t leave any messy ashes or soot.
Do you have to open dampers on a fireplace?
On the contrary, direct vent fireplaces must have their dampers open at all times. Also, homeowners tend to go for a glass door for the hearth. By having one of these doors, they can avoid heated air entering the rest of their home by closing it when the fire isn’t lit.
What is the difference between a ventless fireplace and a vented fireplace?
The first difference you may notice between ventless and vented gas log fireplaces is that ventless ones look less realistic than their vented counterparts. Since they lack the airflow an open damper and chimney provides, the flames are noticeably stagnant. On the other hand, ventless fireplaces can send more heat into your room due to the lack of a vent through which heat can escape. This makes them more efficient than vented gas fireplaces.
What is Your Vented vs Ventless Gas Fireplace Decision?
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What Is a Gas Log Fireplace?
Gas log fireplaces differ from standard wood fireplaces in a few ways. The most obvious difference is the fuel source. Standard fireplaces burn wood while gas log fireplaces burn either propane or natural gas to produce flames. Both types of fireplaces serve the purpose of heating your home and providing a warm, radiating light. Unlike other home heating methods, fireplaces can heat your home while also being the center point of a room where friends and family gather to celebrate and relax.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Gas Fireplace?
If you're considering installing a gas fireplace, then you need to know how much money it will cost to keep it running. Several factors affect the price to run a gas fireplace, including the following:
How does a gas fireplace work?
Gas fireplaces work by combusting propane or natural gas to produce flames, generating heat. The gas fireplace will pull fresh air into the fire chamber and mix it with the heat given off by the flames, increasing the air's temperature. The fireplace then releases this air, filling your room with warmth.
What is vent free gas fireplace?
Besides burning fuel more efficiently than a vented gas fireplace, it contains a sensor that monitors oxygen levels. This gives it a higher level of efficiency. Since it's ventless, you won't need an existing chimney to install one. Installation is easy for homes of any style, with or without a chimney.
How to keep carbon monoxide levels down in ventless fireplace?
Remember to monitor the length of time you use your ventless gas fireplace. Keep carbon monoxide levels down by using it in short bursts or cracking a window. It's best to use your ventless gas fireplace as a secondary heat source.
Vented Gas Fireplace Venting Types
If you’ve decided on a vented design, there are two different ventilation types to consider:
Are Ventless Gas Fireplaces Safe?
The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) notes that although ventless gas fireplaces burn at nearly 100% efficiency, and are tested to operate at a safe level of cycling combusted gases back into the home, very small amounts of fumes and vapors still remain.
Can I Convert My Wood Burning Fireplace to Gas?
If you already have an existing wood-burning fireplace and want the benefits of a gas fireplace without installing a separate system, vented or ventless inserts or gas logs can be installed. Inserts sit inside metal framing and slide into your firebox, whereas logs can be placed individually.
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How Does a Ventless Fireplace Work?
The ventless fireplace works on a fairly simple principle. The fire is designed to burn at optimal efficiency , with minimal carbon dioxide output. It also produces very little moisture.
What is the difference between a vented and unvented gas fireplace?
The first major difference between vented and unvented gas fireplaces is the venting. Vented fireplaces have a vent system to guide combustion gases outside the house. This effectively reduces the risk of excess carbon dioxide and water vapor.
What happens if you put a ventless gas fireplace in a room?
Too much carbon dioxide causes drowsiness. A ventless gas fireplace too big for your room will produce more moisture and CO2 than your room can handle.
How much gas does a vented fireplace burn?
Most 18 to 30-inch vented gas fireplaces burn between 70,000 and 90,000 BTU per hour.
What is a vent free fireplace?
A vent-free fireplace is precisely what the name says – it’s a fireplace without a venting system. Vents are small, special pipes fitted to some fireplace systems to serve as a pathway out of the house for combustion gases.
How efficient is a ventless fireplace?
Indeed, most ventless fireplaces are considered 100% efficient, though, practically, they are around 99.99% efficient . The result is a comfortable, clean-burning fire that’s generally safe for your home and the people in it.
What does ODS mean on a fireplace?
The ODS sensor alert: Whenever the oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) sends a warning of low oxygen levels, don’t want any longer. Turn off the fireplace and open the windows.
How to tell if a log is vent free?
Follow the gas line from beneath the logs to where it disappears in the wall or floor. If the gas is merely contained by a simple gas line, then the logs are vent free. If there is a small cylinder attached to the gas line, then the logs are vent-free. This is called the Oxygen Depletion Sensor and is located just outside the range of the fire. It measures the oxygen in the area. Federal law mandates that all vent-free logs be equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor. When the oxygen level drops, the sensor turns off the gas and stops the fire.
What type of logs are used in a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces use realistic-looking concrete logs to simulate a wood fire.
Can vent free logs be shifted?
Vent-free logs are designed to be more realistic, but since they must be attached to the gas burner, they are stationary and cannot be shifted.
Do gas logs need to be vented?
If the flames reach above the gas logs and the look like a wood burning fireplace, then the logs must be vented. If the flames are small, an have a blue cast, the fireplace is vent-free. Advertisement. references.
