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Venting horizontally—through a wall—is a simple solution, ideal in cases where a gas fireplace is being installed on an exterior wall. Venting can be as easy as running pipe from the back of the fireplace out through the wall, then installing a termination cap.
Do you need a vent for a gas fireplace?
Traditional gas fireplaces, like their wood-burning cousins, require an exhaust flue (vent) to remove harmful fumes from the home. When possible, an existing chimney is used to run a new flue, but in a home without a chimney, the high cost to install venting can sideline the project permanently.
What happens if you don’t vent a gas fireplace?
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.
How far can you vent a gas fireplace?
Minimum Clearance Distance Requirements for the Exterior Vent Termination of a Gas Fireplace Heater 8 Direct vent gas fireplace exhaust termination item clearance distance Distance required (USA) 2 Clearance distance from gas vent termination cap to adjacent building 48″ 8.
How do you vent a ventless fireplace?
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.
Which is safer vented or ventless gas logs?
In general, vented fireplaces are better in terms of safety and function. However, most of the heat is lost through chimneys, so consider using a direct vent. Ventless fireplaces are still a great option and are safe when used properly. Check with your local laws first as some areas don’t allow ventless fireplaces.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. An improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace can create incomplete combustion, creating carbon monoxide, and causing this toxic gas to linger—putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
How do I know if my gas fireplace is vented?
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.
Does a vented fireplace need a chimney?
A Direct Vent Gas Fireplace does not require a chimney and can vent horizontally out a sidewall or vertically through a roof. Direct Vent Fireplaces have a completely enclosed chamber that is extremely efficient, drawing in air for combustion from the outside and expelling gases to the outside as well.
Can a gas fireplace be vented downward?
Power Venting technology makes it possible to install a gas fireplace virtually anywhere. A sleek fan-powered accessory with slim venting can zigzag throughout your home—up, down, over or under. Check with your local hearth professional to determine if your home or fireplace could benefit from Power Venting technology.
Does a gas fireplace dry out the air?
Gas fireplaces make the air dry and create moisture–that is the answer to the question. Gas fireplaces create moisture in the air, while simultaneously drying the air out. Of course, to fully understand what that means, we’ll have to dive in deeper. Let’s actually start with traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
Do Vented gas logs produce heat?
A vented gas log must be used in a regular fireplace, designed to burn a wood fire. Some vented gas logs will give up to 25,000 BTU’s of heat but most don’t give hardly any heat.
Where does a gas fireplace vent?
Most direct vent gas fireplaces are vented to the outdoors horizontally (through the wall), but they can also be routed vertically (through the roof).
What is the difference between vented and ventless gas logs?
Vented and Ventless Gas Logs are a little different. Vented gas logs burn like a real wood fire with a yellow flame that produces smoke. Ventless (vent-free) gas logs burn cleanly with a lower flame that does not smoke. You can burn them with the damper closed to heat your room.
Can you put a blower on Vented gas logs?
Blowers sadly cannot be put on gas logs, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any viable solutions out there for you to try. Our experts here at The Fireplace Place will tell you that your best bet is to simply add a blower to your fireplace or install a direct vent insert.
Can I use vent free gas logs in a vented fireplace?
Ventless gas logs should work in a vented fireplace since the vent would release the gas produced by these types of logs In fact, using ventless gas logs can actually pose an increased risk of carbon monoxide exposure when used in a vented fireplace.
Is it OK to leave gas fireplace on overnight?
The short answer is this: gas fireplaces that are fully vented and have safely and properly sealed glass fronts are fine to be left alone to run continuously.
Can I shut the flue on my gas fireplace?
As a general rule, if you have a gas log fireplace, you should never close your flue when in operation. The reasoning is because when gas fireplaces have access to fuel, they can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that may prove fatal to its users if not properly vented.
