How to use fireplace vents properly?
Why are there vents on my fireplace?
- Lay kindling twigs over the grate. Stack logs on top in perpendicular layers with air spaces between them.
- Open the vents and light the kindling. Close the glass doors once the kindling is in flames.
- Open the glass doors once the logs begin to burn.
- Close the vents once there is a bed of coals under the grate.
What is the best gas fireplace?
- BEST OVERALL: Napoleon Grandville VF Series GVF36-2N 37″ Vent Free
- BEST FLEXIBILITY: Empire Loft Series DVL25 Fireplace Insert
- BEST DUAL FUEL: Superior DRI2000 Gas Fireplace Insert
- BEST DIRECT VENT: Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36″ Direct-Vent NG Millivolt
- MOST VERSATILE: Ashley Hearth Products 34,000 BTU Vent Free Firebox
What is Type B vent used for?
Type B vents are a standard design that most modern gas furnaces use. It draws air from within the house for combustion. Gases produced during combustion are very hot and as such, easily rise through the flue. The air is then vented outside through a B-vent pipe which is set vertically to expel combustion air through the roof.
Do you need the vent open with a gas fireplace?
Not all gas fireplaces need venting. Both natural vent and direct vent gas fireplaces need venting, which exhaust air up a chimney and through the wall to the outside respectively. Ventless gas fireplaces don’t need venting.
Which is better direct vent or B vent?
Direct-vent appliances are typically higher in efficiency than b-vent appliances and put out a lot of heat even with a low flame setting but still do not produce as much heat as their vent free counterparts.
What is the purpose of B vent?
Type B vents are vents suitable only for listed, draft-hood equipped, gas-fired appliances, including most domestic heating and hot water systems. any appliance that produces flue gasses that exceed 480° F (249° C).
What is a Type B fireplace?
B-vent fireplaces draw in air from inside your room to create combustion, then release the exhaust through a chimney in the roof of your home. These fireplaces are very similar to the installation of a wood-burning fireplace, but still run off of either propane or gas.
How does B vent pipe work?
AmeriVent Type B gas vent uses a double wall of metal pipe for insulation and safety. The inner pipe of reflecting aluminum heats quickly, containing the warm flue gases inside. The airspace between the inner and the outer pipes provides insulation against heat loss to keep the warmer flue gases on the rise.
How hot does B vent get?
B vent is designed for venting approved gas appliances certified with draft hoods or diverters producing nominal flue gas temperatures of 135°C and not exceeding 245°C (470°F).
Can you burn wood in AB vent fireplace?
If your B-Vent Gas fireplace was manufactured within the last 10 years, then it might be possible to get fresh logs for it – but they will probably look exactly the same. Can you burn wood or a DuraFlame log in them? No – they are purpose built for gas only.
Does B vent need to be sealed?
Oops, just saw the photo, B vent requires no sealing the pieces should lock together.
Can B vent go through wall?
3. Can Type B Gas Vent terminate horizontally on a wall? No, only Cat III 1738 approved systems can terminate on a side wall.
Is B vent zero clearance?
Decorative Zero Clearance B-Vented Fireplaces are zero clearance fireboxes with a single flue venting system. While not as efficient as direct vent balance flue system, the B-vented units available now do provide more efficient heating than most of the of the older models.
Is B vent flexible?
Flexible vent connectors are designed to take the place of rigid piping to make installations easier. They'll have a B-vent type of transition piece at both ends, and this fitting should not be removed.
Can you run B vent outside?
504.2. Tables 504.2(1), 504.2(2), 504.2(3), 504.2(4) and 504.2(5) shall be used only for chimneys and vents not exposed to the outdoors below the roof line. A Type B vent or listed chimney lining system passing through an unused masonry chimney flue shall not be considered to be exposed to the outdoors.
Can you use B vent for wood stove?
Type-B Gas Vents are not suitable for use with wood burning or coal applications, industrial ovens, exhaust ranges and hoods, grease or pollution ducting, or as free-standing exhaust vents for high-temperature applications.
Does B vent need to be sealed?
Oops, just saw the photo, B vent requires no sealing the pieces should lock together.
Can you use B vent for wood stove?
Type-B Gas Vents are not suitable for use with wood burning or coal applications, industrial ovens, exhaust ranges and hoods, grease or pollution ducting, or as free-standing exhaust vents for high-temperature applications.
Is vented or unvented gas fireplace better?
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.
Can B Vent be used for oil furnace?
10. Can I use Type B Gas Vent on an oil furnace? No. Oil requires stainless steel inner liner.
Why is a B vent fireplace not used?
While it might seem strange, a B vent fireplace, similar to a wood burning fireplace, is not designed to primarily be used as a source of heat. Its main function is décor and aesthetics. This is due in part to the open front firebox that has very low efficiency and releases most of the heat through the chimney.
Who makes B vent fireplaces?
Empire is a long-standing manufacturer of B vent fireplaces. No one sells a more quality version of this product, which is why so many of their B vent fireplaces are best sellers on our site. So, if after all this talk of limited styling options, you decide you still may want a propane or natural gas fireplace, Empire has you covered.
What type of burner is used in a B vent?
Most B vents come with a traditional U-shaped burner to fit within the square firebox. You can choose from an IPI (or intermittent) pilot system and standing pilot ( or millivolt) pilot system. The choice depends largely on whether you want/need your pilot light to continuously stay on.
How much clearance does a B vent need?
B vent piping should maintain 1 inch of clearance to combustibles at all times. As long as this minimum clearance is met, combustibles are not in danger of charring over time.
What is the difference between a B vent and a B gas vent?
While similar in basic design principles, there are several differences between these two appliances. A B-vent appliance uses what is known as type B gas vent. This is a single tube that vents exhaust gases to the atmosphere and is always run vertically through the roof of a home.
How wide is a B vent?
While B vents may not have all the varieties of other indoor fireplaces, you can get them anywhere between 32 to 42 inches wide. And... wait for it... there are even a few models with smaller or larger openings. So, by George, there is hope for the B vent after all.
Is a B vent fireplace a wood burning fireplace?
While it might seem strange, a B vent fireplace, similar to a wood burning fireplace, is not designed to primarily be used as a source of heat. Its main function is decor and aesthetics. This is due in part to the open front firebox that has very low efficiency and releases most of the heat through the chimney.
What is the difference between a direct vent and a b vent fireplace?
Direct-vent appliances are typically higher in efficiency than b-vent appliances and put out a lot of heat even with a low flame setting. Cons: Direct fireplaces have a sealed glass front and typically a smaller flame than a b-vent fireplace or a vent-free fireplace. The position and look of the logs in the fireplace cannot be altered ...
What is vent free fireplace?
Vent-free products are typically the most efficient of all fireplaces or gas logs since all the heat is generated into the room or home. Cons: Combustion fumes are vented inside the home which affect some people who are very sensitive to smell or allergies.
What is a natural vent?
Sometimes referred to as Natural Vent - B-Vent appliances use pipe (b-vent) that must be installed through the home and terminate above the roof. They also use room air for combustion, but the amount of air they use is minimal.
How does a direct vent work?
The direct-vent system involves two parts, one part for the exhaust and one for combustion air intake. The appliance itself is a completely sealed combustion chamber and no air from the house is used for combustion. The exhaust vents can go either out through a sidewall or through the roof. Pros: Combustion fumes are vented outside.
Do you need a vent for a vent free fireplace?
A vent-free fireplace uses no venting pipe at all which allows placement of the fireplace in many places otherwise unavailable to a vented fireplace. The burner of the fireplace or gas log set is designed to be 99%+ efficient, therefore there is no need to vent the appliance.
Is B vent efficient?
B-vent appliances are relatively efficient. Cons: B-vent must be installed through the interior of the home and terminate above the roof which may pose extensive installation labor costs or difficulties depending on the home. B-vent could potentially be a source of cool air into the living area if a downdraft occurs.
Does vent free expel moisture?
Vent- free products expel a fair amount of moisture as a result of the burn process which also is expelled into the home and can be a problem especially in a room with a lot of windows like a sun-room since the windows may drip from all the moisture. Typically there is a low flame with vent-free products and the placement ...
What is the difference between a direct vent and a B vent?
Now what’s the difference between a direct vent and b vent? Well B vent fireplaces usually are open fireplaces so it is going to pull room air for combustion so it’s going to suck air out of your house into the fireplace and it’s going to be a single wall pipe and it can vary in size depending on the fireplace, ...
Which is better: B vent or direct vent?
Well, Visually, Some people prefer B Vent units because their open they have access to a lot of oxygen and you can generally get a nice big visual flame, but you can also get a nice flame on a direct vent. Direct vent is much more efficient, you’re pulling fresh air from outside of the house.
Is a direct vent a sealed unit?
Well today that’s what we’re here to let you know. So direct vent systems is going to be a sealed unit and the direct vent pipe is a double walled pipe which means you’re inside pipe is exhausting while the outside pipe is pulling fresh air outside from you’re home and bringing into the fireplace for combustion.
Can a vent go out of a side wall?
The difference thus far is installation. Direct vent can go out can go out a side wall or outside of your wall. A B vent must always terminate vertical it cannot never terminate out to side wall.
Is a B vent a good way to build up heat?
Versus B vent you will get some heat out of it but it’s creating a negative efficiency because you’re sucking your fresh air and it’s going out to your exhaust and it’s not a sealed unit so there’s not a really good way to build up heat and retain it and get it out to the room.
What is a Type B gas vent?
The Type B designation is assigned to gas venting systems that meet the safety requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc . The AmeriVent all-metal, double-wall gas vent is listed as Type B by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and is approved for such residential and commercial applications as Category 1 water heaters, boilers, furnaces, space heaters, or wall heaters. UL-approved Type B gas vent products form a continuous passageway from an approved gas appliance to the termination of the vent above the roof of the structure.
How much clearance does a Type B gas vent need?
One of the fire safety features of double-wall Type B gas vent is that its outer wall, insulated by the airspace beneath it, requires only 1” clearance to combustible material in the structure.
What is the purpose of a galvanized steel flue gas vent?
The outer pipe of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel ensures strength, safety, and durability. If the flue gases are kept rising at the proper rate, the structure is kept free from pollution, and condensation damage is eliminated. Although a large portion of the flue gas is composed of water vapor, AmeriVent Type B gas vent carries it out ...
What type of pipe is used in Amerivent?
AmeriVent Type B gas vent uses a double wall of metal pipe for insulation and safety. The inner pipe of reflecting aluminum heats quickly, containing the warm flue gases inside. The airspace between the inner and the outer pipes provides insulation against heat loss to keep the warmer flue gases on the rise. The outer pipe of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel ensures strength, safety, and durability.
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 ...
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
