Vented Vs Vent Free Fireplace

Direct vent fireplaces require a venting system while ventless fireplaces are just that completely vent free.

Vented vs vent free fireplace.

Vent free or ventless fireplaces have been in use for over 20 years. More realistic looking flame. Be careful of self proclaimed experts who really don t know what they are talking about. Vented gas logs require a fully functional wood burning fireplace and must be burned with the damper open ventless or vent free gas logs can be installed in either a wood burning fireplace or a ventless fireplace that is rated for aftermarket ventless logs and are burned with the damper closed.

Ventless fireplaces are 99 efficient safe and ul tested. Cost and energy efficiency however make ventless fireplaces attractive to others. With no vent to release fire byproducts some people are concerned about health and related issues due to chemicals and water vapor in the living area. The fire wraps around the logs like they would in a real wood fire and the yellow flames are generally taller than those in a vent free system.

If you re looking for a fireplace that won t have any interaction with the air inside your home then a direct vent fireplace is the best choice for you. Vented gas fireplaces generally have a more realistic looking flame. You can use ventless logs in a vented fireplace. For ventless gas fireplaces to reduce the risk of emissions being transmitted into your home the burn temperature needs to be higher.

There are no hard facts to back up these claims. According to the hearth association ventless fireplaces boast efficiency rates of 99 percent compared to 70 85 percent for vented units. Here s what you need to know to help you decide which type is right for you. Some of the benefits of vent free fireplaces include.

Maintain indoor air quality direct vent gas fireplaces. A custom ventless fireplace ranges between 2 500 4 000 versus 5 000 6 000 for a vented unit faust says. Vent free fireplaces are safer than gas cooking range. Because no heat is leaving the house through a duct or a chimney this style of fireplace makes for excellent heating.

If you do use a vent free logs you won t have to open the damper since these logs don t require venting. Even though the chimney can remain closed you will still lose some of the efficiency and heat from using this type of set in a vented fireplace.