what is a fireplace vent

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Why to get a direct vent fireplace?

Why Direct Vent Natural Gas Fireplaces Make for an Ideal Choice

• 03 May Why Direct Vent Natural Gas Fireplaces Make for an Ideal Choice. There are plenty of heating solutions out there. ...
• Convenience. Gas fireplaces have grown in popularity for homeowners. ...
• Cost-savings. Direct Vent Gas fireplaces don’t require the huge chimneys that a gas insert or a traditional wood burning fireplace does.
• Installation. ...
• Efficiency. ...

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.

Does a fireplace need a fresh air vent?

Fresh Air Vent Needed for Fireplaces. It can easily be 250 to 350 cubic feet of air per minute. The fresh air vent in the hearth may be blocked or it may not be able to supply enough air to satisfy the appetite of the fire. The additional air to feed the fire must come from somewhere.

What is the vent in my fireplace for?

What Do Fireplace Vents Do? The Purpose of Vents. The cool air inside your room gets drawn into the fireplace through the bottom vent. It then passes through a chamber that goes around the firebox and connects to the top vent.. The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the wood is burnt, and therefore where the heat is generated.

What does the vent on a fireplace do?

A fully open vent allows the smoke to travel up the chimney. It also allows fresh air to feed the fire and keep it burning.

What is the vent called on a fireplace?

Natural vent (also referred to as B-vent) hearth products take in combustion air from inside the home and vent products of combustion outside home via a brick and mortar chimney or pipe venting system installed through the roof.

Do you need a vent for a fireplace?

All fireplaces, no matter what fuel you burn, need air. With a gas fire, especially with decorative fuel effect gas fires an air vent is required, usually if its over 7.1 kw input, if its under that it probably wont require an air vent.

Where is the vent on my fireplace?

The venting exits either from the top or the back of the fireplace, providing flexibility for installation. And there is also a rear exhaust vent. Direct-vent power venting can go up, down, and around most objects in a space, such as around stairways.

When should I close my fireplace vents?

You should close the damper on your fireplace once the fire and embers have all burned out. This prevents warm air in your house from escaping out the chimney. You should open the damper before lighting a fire and close it once the fire is done burning.

What is the difference between a flue and a vent?

Vents are similar to fireplaces and flues in that they may pass through other parts of the house and they do need temperature protection to prevent a transfer of heat from the vent to the surrounding building materials. However, vents are not designed to handle the high heat produced by wood burning fires.

Why is there a vent in the bottom of my fireplace?

Bottom Air Vent - The bottom air vent on Old-Style Heatilator Fireplaces are where cool room air is drawn into the fireplace. The air is then routed around the firebox and exits through the top air vent where it returns to the room as heated air.

Do all gas fireplaces need to be vented?

Gas fireplaces need to be vented by a chimney or other vent, unless you have a ventless gas fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces do not need ventilation and are designed to burn cleaner with a lower flame that will not smoke. If your gas fireplace is not a ventless model, then it will likely need a vent of some sort.

Where does a gas fireplace vent?

In a direct vent gas appliance, fresh air is drawn from the outdoors into the hearth unit, and expelled air is sent outside via a flue system that terminates outside. Most direct vent gas fireplaces are vented to the outdoors horizontally (through the wall), but they can also be routed vertically (through the roof).

How do you open fireplace vent?

You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.

Can I cover the vents on my fireplace?

You can cover your fireplace vents using magnetic fireplace vent covers. These are simply long magnetic sheets that you put over your fireplace vents. Their purpose is to keep the cold air out during winter, and it keeps the hot, humid air from entering your home during the summer.

What is the difference between direct vent and vented fireplace?

A B-vent must be vented vertically and uses fresh air from inside the home to provide oxygen to the fire. A direct vent has a sealed glass front and pulls all of its fresh air from outside the home.

Can you close the vent on a gas fireplace?

Our research shows that the flue on a gas fireplace should remain open during use or when the pilot light is lit. If the flue is closed in either instance, you risk a greater chance of carbon monoxide poisoning or a spark induced structure fire due to a buildup of toxins emitted by propane or natural gas burners.

Can I cover the vents on my fireplace?

You can cover your fireplace vents using magnetic fireplace vent covers. These are simply long magnetic sheets that you put over your fireplace vents. Their purpose is to keep the cold air out during winter, and it keeps the hot, humid air from entering your home during the summer.

What is the difference between direct vent and vented fireplace?

A B-vent must be vented vertically and uses fresh air from inside the home to provide oxygen to the fire. A direct vent has a sealed glass front and pulls all of its fresh air from outside the home.

How do you open a fireplace vent?

You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.

What Do Fireplace Vents Do?

The cool air inside your room gets drawn into the fireplace through the bottom vent. It then passes through a chamber that goes around the firebox and connects to the top vent.

What is the firebox in a fireplace?

The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the wood is burnt, and therefore where the heat is generated. So as the air circulates, it heats and comes out as hot air through the top vent. This is how your fireplace actually heats your room.

Why does heat escape through the roof?

So the heat will escape from your living space into your attic and from your attic to the outside. What you can do to prevent this is to install loft insulation, but first, you need to consider whether the temperature of your attic is important to you or not.

Why is a fireplace good?

A fireplace can create a very nice atmosphere. Whether you’re trying to set a romantic tone for you and your partner or simply want to relax while you read a book, it’s a great way to influence the energy in a room. Perhaps you’ve noticed two vents above and below the fireplace. Well, what do they actually do?

How does heat get lost in a house?

There are several ways your house may be losing heat. In all these cases, heat is lost either through conduction, convection, or radiation. Conduction is a direct transfer of heat through solid material, convection occurs via gases or fluids, and radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic waves. Anyway, here are the culprits:

Do vents on fireplaces help?

Now you know what those vents on your fireplace do, how they help to heat your house, and how they can also contribute to heat loss. As I have mentioned, there are many other ways your house can lose heat. Although every method of insulation costs money, it will save you lots of money in the long run by reducing your heating bills, so you may want to consider making an investment.

Do ventless fireplaces need a duct?

Since ventless fireplaces burn gas in a way that is cleaner than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, there is no need for a duct since they circulate the gases back into the room. This also improves heating efficiency.

What is a direct vent fireplace?

Direct vent fireplaces feature a “sealed” intake and exhaust. These units draw air in from outside the home, exhaust to the outside, and radiate heat to the inside for an efficient design. Unlike traditional, or B-vent, fireplaces direct vent fireplace's performance are not as impacted by drafts & air pressure in a home.

What are the two types of fireplaces?

There are two main types of direct vent fireplace: coaxial and colinear. The first type, coaxial, consists of a pipe within a pipe, where the outer portion serves as an intake and exhaust exits through the inner tube.

How many BTU per hour for a fireplace?

Knowing this, many direct-vent fireplaces are rated for between 20,000 and 30,000 BTU/hour, which would equate to about 1/5 to 1/3 of a therm for natural gas or gallon of propane.

Do direct vent fireplaces require electricity?

Most direct vent fireplaces are simply gas-powered and do not require electricity for basic operation. A standing pilot light combined with a simple & reliable millivolt valve system create a safe design. In newer or more advanced direct vent fireplaces, a source of electricity may be required for features such as blower fans, lights, or electronic ignition systems. In addition, most new units feature an Intermittent Pilot Ignition (or IPI) that uses electricity to spark the pilot light and ignite the unit; then, after use, the pilot shuts down as well to save fuel costs as well as extinguish any standing flame.

Is a gas fireplace a direct vent?

Most factory-built or “manufactured” gas fireplaces today are designed as “direct-vent” fireplaces. These energy-efficient venting systems have replaced more outdated designs, and in fact, are the primary style of fireplace installed in homes built within the last 20 to 30 years. These fireplaces are also perfect for use during a remodel or room addition, as well. Think a direct vent fireplace might be right for your home? Read on to learn more about these great products.

Can you direct vent a chimney?

Additionally, no masonry chimney is required in a direct vent installation but clearances to combustibles must be maintained based on the manufacturer’s specifications.

Are Direct Vent Fireplaces Energy Efficient?

Direct-vent fireplaces are energy efficient for several reasons, namely they are self-sufficient heating appliances, not drawing air and heat from the room.. For this reason, some of these units operate with up to 70 percent efficiency. These fireplaces are also much more efficient than traditional or decorative vented gas logs, which lose the majority of their heat through the chimney.

What is an unvented fireplace?

The term "unvented", "ventless" or "vent-free" is applied to hearth appliances that burn gas (natural gas or propane) and do not require any kind of chimney or vent system. This terminology is also used to describe other niche-type fireplaces such as electric and ethanol models.

What degrees can a gas fireplace vent be?

For the most part, vented gas fireplaces allow the use of 90-, 45-, and 30-degree elbows. Moreover, most gas fireplace vent systems allow the use of flexible vent pipe, which of course can create any offset from 0-90 degrees.

What type of pipe is used for a fireplace?

Each hearth appliance requires a particular type of vent pipe, which are categorized accordingly. For example, a solid-fuel appliance, such as a wood burning or coal-burning stove, uses Class A chimney pipe, which is made to withstand the higher flue gas temperatures produced by that fuel. The inside wall of these double- or triple-wall pipes is stainless steel for this purpose. Direct vent fireplaces, on the other hand, use natural gas or propane as their fuel, and the exhaust fumes are significantly less hot. As such, the direct vent gas pipe that is used on these units has an aluminum inner wall.

How far away from a fireplace vent should a chimney be?

For the purposes of venting, the key difference is that a fireplace must have a dedicated chimney or vent system that can be located within 2 or 3 inches of combustible materials (such as inside a wood chimney chase or near an exterior wall), but an insert requires use of chimney liner that runs within an existing, functional, fully non-combustible chimney (such as a brick chimney with a clay or terracotta flue or a stainless steel pipe).

How much clearance does a chimney need?

Class A chimney usually has a 2-inch clearance to combustibles, and a type B gas vent normally has 1-inch clearance. Vent pipe for a direct gas fireplace is unique. It typically has a 1-inch clearance when it is run vertically, but when it is run horizontally the clearance requirements vary.

What are the drawbacks of ventless fireplaces?

Finally, another drawback to vent-free units is the lack of realism. Since these models must burn cleanly, a ventless log set or unvented gas fireplace is not going to produce the same flames seen in a real wood fire, and these also cannot match the more realistic effects seen in a vented gas fireplace.

How many degrees of elbows are allowed on a vented gas fireplace?

For the most part, vented gas fireplaces allow the use of 90-, 45-, and 30-degree elbows.

How is a direct vent fireplace different from the rest?

A direct vent fireplace can best be described as a vented gas fireplace with a sealed glass firebox. Because of its venting and setup, it is super efficient for heating. Coaxial pipes draw air from the outdoors for combustion instead of sucking air, and heat, out of the room you're sitting in.

Why are vent free fireplaces banned?

Though, they have limited output and are banned in many states due to concerns about exhaust fumes being released into the room.

How big is a fireplace?

They range from 32 to 60 inches in size. Most have fake brick, stone or porcelain liners, but don't let this fake fireplace fool you, it will put off beautiful, realistic flames. traditional direct vent fireplace.

Why put a barrier screen on a fireplace?

As of 2015, all manufacturers were required to put a barrier screen on all direct vent fireplaces to act as a shield between the viewer and the glass. This safety measure helps prevents unnecessary burns for children, pets, and the occasional clumsy guest. Though, if you're feeling risky, the barrier screen can be removed.

What is a Napoleon fireplace?

The Napoleon GDL19 is the perfect example of a specialty fireplace. The narrow width allows it to squeeze into tight spaces in kitchens and smaller rooms where fireplaces aren't usually available. These models are also handy for condos and or small apartments (where regulations allow).

Is a gas fireplace fake?

While some consider fireplace models fueled by gas to be fake fireplaces, the benefit to the artificial flame models are a plethora of styles. So, if you have to give up the authentic look of a wood burning fireplace, you won't have to scrimp on the overall aesthetics of your appliance.

Is it hard to clean a gas fireplace?

Cleaning: Thankfully, cleaning a gas fireplace isn't as hard as installing one. Exhaust fumes that escape through the chimney from a gas fireplace aren't nearly as tough on the flue as gases that release from a wood burning fireplace.

Why are vent free fireplaces called vent free?

They are called vent-free “literally because they do not require any venting, ” explains Lara Usilton, director of brand marketing for Monessen, which specializes in vent-free gas fireplaces and other hearth products. “That means there’s no chimney, no flue, no pipe.”.

What is the best way to vent a fireplace?

Power Venting. A technology called power venting can help make a direct vent fireplace work even more efficiently, especially in cases where a venting system’s natural airflow is not moving enough air for the fire, or in situations where a fireplace needs to be vented down.

How does a gas fireplace work?

As the gas fireplace is started, explains Chad Hendrickson, director of product development for Hearth & Home Technologies, Heat & Glo’s parent company, exhaust travels through the inner pipe to the outdoors, while the outer pipe allows the fresh air for combustion to come in and be transmitted directly into the bottom of the sealed firebox, where it ignites the unit. The outer pipe also helps insulate any surrounding combustible components from heat traveling through the system. Most coaxial systems connect to the fireplace unit in a direct vent fireplace chase — the insulated structure that houses the fireplace.

How does a direct vent work?

In a direct vent gas appliance, fresh air is drawn from the outdoors into the hearth unit, and expelled air is sent outside via a flue system that terminates outside.

What is direct vent technology?

Direct vent technology: A sealed combustion system protects indoor air quality by drawing outside air for the fire and expelling 100 percent of combustion exhaust and byproducts outside the home.

How much does it cost to run a natural gas fireplace?

While specific costs vary based on location, utility and fuel type, national averages to run a natural gas fireplace that consumes approximately 27,000 BTUs/hour will cost less that 20 cents per hour to enjoy. Adding to that efficiency, says Hendrickson, is that no air from your home is escaping up the chimney.

When was direct venting invented?

Direct vent is by far the most common venting method and is the newest form of venting, invented by the founders of Heat & Glo in the 1980s ; it remains a popular choice because of its efficiency, safety, flexibility and the fact that it does not require an existing chimney.

What is the Difference Between Vented and Ventless Fireplaces?

There are a few key differences between vented fireplaces and ventless fireplaces. The first difference has to do with functionality, the second has to do with aesthetics, and the third has to do with preference:

Are Ventless Fireplaces Safe?

Before you consider whether or not ventless fireplaces are safe, it is important to note that all gas fireplaces could potentially leak carbon monoxide into your home. Blocked chimneys, cracked glass panes, old parts or leaking gas lines can all be responsible for gas leaks from vented gas fireplaces.

Vented Vs. Ventless Fireplaces: Pros and Cons

To make the two types of gas fireplaces a little easier to compare, below is a table with some pertinent facts set side by side. Here is a quick look at a vented vs. ventless fireplace stand up against each other. You may be surprised at the benefits and drawbacks of each:

Which is Better–Direct Vent or Ventless Gas Fireplaces?

As with so many things, when answering which item is better than the other, you have to know as much about what you want as about the differences between the two items. As much is true of vented versus ventless gas fireplaces. The big question to answer is if you are comfortable with ventless.

How to Know if Your Fireplace is Vented or Ventless

You should be told at the time of purchase whether your fireplace is vented or ventless. Because ventless fireplaces are banned in some areas, the distinction should be made very clear. But maybe you have bought a home that has a gas fireplace and you do not really know for sure whether it is vented or ventless.

Can a Ventless Gas Fireplace be Converted to Vented?

If you have a ventless gas fireplace and you either regret buying it or you regret that it was in the home that you bought, you may be wondering if you can convert it to a vented fireplace. It sounds like a reasonable enough idea. It’s a fireplace, just cut a hole in the top, attach a pipe, and stick it through the roof, right?

Conclusion

If the decision is yours to make, then both vented and ventless gas fireplaces are viable options for your home. Keep the controversies surrounding the ventless fireplaces in context. They are best used when used wisely and within the precautions that the manufacturers suggest. Do so and they may be a good source of heat for your home.

How does a vent free fireplace work?

Vent-Free Fireplaces that run on propane can get their energy from pipe links to a propane tank. Gel fuel is a primary energy source uses in specific vent-free fireplaces. You may purchase gel fuel cartons to insert within the Vent-Free Fireplace rather than attaching to a natural or propane pipe. It is a less expensive energy alternative but does not create quite so much warmer than other fuel sources.

What type of energy is used in vent free fireplaces?

A vent-free fireplace uses natural gas, propane, or gel energy and consumes it with indoor air. Nat gas and propane seem to be the most widely employ energy sources in Vent-Free Fireplaces.

Why does a ventless fireplace turn off?

Specific versions even contain a carbon monoxide analyzer and o2 detectors to track the room’s indoor environmental quality. Because the ventless fireplace lacks an oxygen flow that exhausts to the outside like a vent fireplace, it draws air from the interior to consume. The o2 indicator will immediately turn off the fireplace if the system recognizes that the O2 concentration in the room has dropped to an alarming degree. If the CO monitor detects too much carbon monoxide in the area, the very same applies.

What is a B vent?

Natural Ventilation fireplaces (B-Vent) burn oxygen inside the house and expel the fumes outside the residency.

Is ventless fireplace more authentic?

Venting fireplace sets are generally more authentic , appearing than vent-free fireplace sets. So if you have a primary interest in appearance, the venting insertion is the way to go. If you choose comfort over appearances, though, the ventless model is the way to go.

Does a ventless fireplace heat up the attic?

No energy dissipates up to the attic or vent because the air vapors discharges into the apartment with a valve-free installation. As an outcome, the vent-free fireplace is particularly effective at totally and swiftly warming the space. In contrast, a straightforward installation will slowly and gradually warm your room.

Is ventless gas bad for you?

In addition, the vent-free fireplace produces and emits a tiny quantity of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide and it can be fatal in high amounts.

What is a B vent gas fireplace?

A B-vent gas fireplace is a type of natural draft system that uses a special pipe to carry combustion gases out of your home.

Why is the chimney hotter?

Because hot flue gases are buoyant, the exhaust air moves naturally through its own pipe system, upward through your roof, where it is carried out the chimney and safely away from your home. As the fireplace continues to vent flue gases up the chimney, the chimney walls increase in temperature. The hotter the chimney walls, the better ...

Is a B vent fireplace cheaper than a direct vent?

Because the design of a B-vent system is simple, it is typically less expensive to install than a direct vent fireplace system. But while B-vent gas fireplace effectively ...

Can B vent pipes be installed on a chimney?

Although local building codes may vary slightly, B-vent pipes must be installed to the same standards as a masonry chimney. These pipes can be enclosed with combustible materials and run from the fireplace throughout your home’s walls, terminating through a chimney on your roof.

Can B vents be used with wood stoves?

B-vent systems are not intended for all types of fuels. They should never be used with wood-burning appliances, such as fireplaces and wood stoves, incinerators, oil-fired or coal-fired appliances, or any appliances that burn anything other than liquid petroleum or natural gas.

Is a B vent fireplace efficient?

But while B-vent gas fireplace effectively removes combustion gases and provides heat, it may not be as energy-efficient as a direct vent system, because its design can allow cool air into your home’s interior if a downdraft occurs in the chimney, and some of your fireplace heat may also be lost up the vent.

How does a vent free fireplace work?

Vent free fireplaces draw the air for combustion from the surrounding room, add fuel like natural gas or propane, and an ignition point known as the burner. Once the fuel is burned, the heat produced is sent back into the surrounding room. Sending the warmth back to the room instead of out an exterior vent pipe makes it 99.9% efficient.

What is vent free gas fireplace?

A vent-free gas fireplace will bring you years of warmth and enjoyment. Not only will it enhance the look of the room where you install it, but it burns with minimal by-products and is almost effortless to maintain.

What is a fireplace insert?

Fireplace inserts are fireproof boxes enclosed in steel or cast iron with insulated glass on the front. This configuration creates a closed combustion system that is much more energy-efficient than any open fireplace.

How efficient are vented logs?

Vented log sets in a traditional wood burning fireplace require a working chimney and a damper that can never be closed. Those features make them on average about 75-80% efficient depending on the situation.

What is vent free gas?

Vent free burners are designed to burn at a rate that allows it to burn off hazardous chemicals like Carbon Monoxide. A vent-free gas log set safely disperses gas combustion by-products directly into the room where it’s located allowing them to be 99.9% efficient.

How efficient is a direct vent fireplace?

And direct-vent fireplaces release those combustion by-products through double wall pipes that vent outside which makes them in average setups 70-80% efficient depending on venting methods and other factors.

What are the safety features of vent free heating systems?

There are a lot of safety features that vent free systems have that other versions don’t. For example, an ODS- Oxygen Depletion Sensor , which makes the pilot assembly the equivalent to an electrical circuit breaker. It also has an automatic gas valve, internal regulator, precision burner, and a piezo igniter, which all make them a very safe and clean method of heating in comparison to a wood fire.