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If you don’t have a chimney, a natural vent system can also use a pipe venting system, which is typically installed through the roof. Here, you can get around having to use a brick and mortar chimney to rid the home of fumes and use a pipe system instead.
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 do you vent a ventless gas 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.
Do gas fireplaces need to vent outside?
Natural vent gas fireplaces need to be vented using a traditional masonry chimney with flue liner, direct vent gas fireplaces need to be vented directly from the outside and ventless gas fireplaces don’t need to be directly vented.
Which is better vented or ventless gas fireplace?
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.
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 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.
What states are ventless fireplaces illegal?
Massachusetts, California, and a number of other states in the U.S., as well as Canada and other countries, have outlawed ventless gas fireplaces due to the aforementioned safety concerns.
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.
Does a fireplace need a fresh air vent?
Fresh Air Vent Needed for Fireplaces A fireplace consumes vast amounts of air each minute as the fuel burns. 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.
How do you 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.
Is vent-free or direct vent better?
Direct vent gas inserts generally have a more realistic looking flame than a vent-free gas insert. For vent-free gas inserts to reduce the risk of emissions being transmitted into the home, the burn temperature of the fire needs to be higher. So, this higher temperature produces a less realistic, sometimes blue flame.
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).
Do ventless gas fireplaces give off heat?
The flames don’t look as genuine as those of a wood-burning fireplace, or even those of a vented gas fireplace. While they do provide heat, it isn’t radiant heat, and the logs don’t retain heat well.
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.
Will ventless gas logs heat a room?
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.
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.
Do natural gas fireplaces produce carbon monoxide?
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 you keep a ventless fireplace from smelling?
Preventing Gas Fireplace Smells The best way to prevent smells in a gas fireplace is to improve the quality of air in your home. If you smoke, take it outside. If you have pets, vacuum regularly and consider investing in a room air purifier. Avoid the use of harsh cleaning chemicals and plug-in deodorizers.
Are all gas fireplaces ventless?
Ventless fireplaces, which don’t include a flue or chimney, have been sold in the U.S. since 1980. They’re powered by natural gas, propane, alcohol-based gels, or electricity. In fact, Massachusetts and California, as well as Canada and other countries, have outlawed gas and propane ventless fireplaces.
Are gas logs ventless?
Gas fireplaces come in two configurations: vented and ventless. Vented gas logs produce carbon monoxide emissions so your fireplace must have a chimney or flue. Ventless logs do not put off these emissions so no chimney or flue is needed, and the heat is more likely to stay in your space.
