Ventless Gas Fireplaces – What You Need to Know

Despite the fact that only a smattering of residences utilize fireplaces as their main heating system, numerous home-owners still admire the atmosphere of a warm hearth. Ventless gas fireplaces are favored due to their convenience and tidiness. The construction of these devices is so that they use fuel more effectively than their vented counterparts, thereby leading to significantly less smoke and no need for fitting a chimney. However, reviews are mixed about their safety.

Look into if ventless gas stoves fit your needs—certain places have laws that forbid their use, and others have particular rules. This thorough guide will assist you in deciding whether or not to incorporate a ventless gas fireplace in your residence.

What Is a Ventless Gas Fireplace?

Also known as an unvented or vent-free fireplace, a ventless gas fireplace operates with natural gas or liquid propane (LP) that flows into a gas burner mounted in the fireplace. When set alight, the fire passes through crevices between simulated ceramic fiber logs, creating the image of a genuine wood-burning fireplace.

Examine the unit’s details to guarantee it meets safety regulations and is admitted for installation by your city building codes. Ventless fireplaces can be a good solution as an attractive addition in a room where it can be constantly monitored, however, they should not be relied on to be the primary source of warmth, especially in a bedroom. Additionally, if any of the occupants of your home have breathing concerns like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, this type of fireplace should be avoided altogether. It is suggested by some producers that a window should be kept ajar while the fireplace is being used to make sure that there is an adequate amount of fresh air.

Types of Ventless Gas Fireplaces

Built-in

Built-ins are custom-fitted for the space you have. The majority of fireplaces are manufactured in advance, and they are available in a range of sizes from different fireplace producers. This type is ideal for freshly erected houses, comprehensive remodels or makeovers of individual rooms. They come in one or two-sided (or see-though) versions. A two-sided version is fit into a divider located between two chambers.

Ventless Gas Fireplace Insert

A ventless gas fireplace insert is an enclosed box that fits inside of your fireplace. It helps trap heat and contains the flame. The advantages of using a fireplace box are similar to those of incorporating built-ins; they reduce air leakage, do not emit smoke, and maintain interior warmth, thereby decreasing energy expenses. This is an appealing choice if you’d like to give your fireplace a makeover while avoiding any indoor smoke, or if your chimney chimney isn’t functioning correctly.

Outdoor

Gas fireplaces that can be placed outside need to be capable of withstanding the varying conditions of nature, and they have been engineered to be resistant to the elements. These items are constructed using tougher materials and utilize more powerful flames that can’t be extinguished by the wind.

Cost

Approximately the same amount is spent on the firebox unit or insert and the log assemblies for either ventless or vented gas fireplaces. Ventless fireplaces are usually cheaper than ones that need a venting system because the installation price for a vent is rather high. The price of purchasing and installing a vented gas fireplace varies between $3,500 and $8,000, taking into account the amount of woodwork necessary for the venting system. In comparison, an ventless fireplace will cost somewhere between one thousand and five thousand dollars.

No distinction in plumbing expenses exists between the two, since both require a connection to natural gas or propane. If you’re looking to cut costs, a ventless fireplace fueled by gel canisters is an option instead of using a gas line. No installation of water pipes is necessary as these devices are powered by fire fueled canisters of alcohol-based gel that will burn for around three hours.

The cost of the unit varies widely, taking into account different sizes, what materials have been used, whether or not it is custom-made and pre-fabricated, and if it is a double-sided insert. You can find some good inserts for a fairly reasonable price, with cost ranging from $500 to $800. You would have to take into consideration extra labor expenses to set them up.

Vented vs Ventless Fireplaces

Here is a breakdown of key points of both types of gas fireplaces arranged in a table to facilitate easier comparison. This is a comparison of a vented fireplace and a ventless fireplace. You may be surprised at the benefits and drawbacks of each:

Cost to Install

In general, fireplaces that need to be vented require a more expensive installation than those that don’t require venting, and this is mainly due to one factor. In many instances, if you do not possess an existing chimney, you must construct a “ventilation passage” for the fireplace that has ventilation. That involves punching a hole in the roof for a flue or cutting an opening in the wall for a vent.

It is not as easy as it may seem. The hole in the roof needs to take into account the ceiling, insulation, and duct-work in the attic, as well as making sure it meets the requirements of the county and state standards.

Using a wall vent is a more convenient option because direct gas fireplaces can be installed with horizontal ventilation.

A wood-burning fireplace, which includes a chimney, is the only instance in which this does not apply.

If so, it may cost less to put a vented gas fireplace inside the pre-existing fireplace. It all comes down to the measurements of the existing fireplace and the measurements of the fireplace that is equipped with a vent.

Average Monthly Cost to Run

The evidence showed that ventless fireplaces are more economical than vented fireplaces to operate. Even if you utilize liquid propane, this statement remains true. On average:

• Liquid propane for a vented fireplace costs a little over $1 an hour.
• Liquid propane for a ventless fireplace costs $.50 an hour.

The source of this dates back to the manner in which a gas-powered ventless fireplace operates. It must burn the gas without producing fumes which will enter the home, yielding higher energy efficiency and lowering the costs of its utilization.

Which is Safer?

When compared directly, it is clear that vented fireplaces are the safer option due to their clear advantages. Even clean as they are, ventless fireplaces allow enough carbon monoxide into a room that they are:

• Recommended not to be used for long periods of time.
• Recommended not be used in bedrooms where the carbon monoxide can build up faster.

The contrast between the two fireplaces is quite clear. One vents outside and one doesn’t. No matter how safe the emitted gases may be, there will always be an element of caution required when using a ventless fireplace. Despite the possible dangers, certain people may choose to accept them due to the various benefits associated.

Which Has a Better Heat Output?

Ventless fireplaces produce more heat than vented fireplaces because they don’t release any hot air outside, instead releasing it where it is needed inside. When the smoke escapes the residence, some of the warmth escapes too.

Ventless fireplaces recycle much of the heat into the home, instead of venting it outdoors, along with smoke and fumes.

Carrying a certain amount of danger yields a more affordable and warmer fireplace. Noting should be done that it is worthwhile to adhere to the instructions and open a window from time to time so that an appropriate amount of oxygen is continually entering the house. Doing this may result in some of the warm air caused by the stove escaping and being replaced with cooler air.

Which is Easier to Install?

The ventless fireplace is also usually easier to install. Since there is no need for an airing pathway, no chimney or wall vent has to be constructed, which is why it costs more to install vented gas fireplaces.

The position of the ventless fireplace isn’t limited while installing – it doesn’t require the exterior wall of the room nor any type of roof access. You have much more freedom to decide where to place the unit from a visual perspective.

The only other job that may have to be handled is guiding the propane tubing to wherever it needs to go to be set up. You will have limited options if you don’t want to pay the extra money to change the propane lines.

It is also essential that a professional contractor puts in both systems. This is not the time for DIY.

What is the Average Lifespan of Each?

The average lifespan of gas fireplaces is about 15-25 years as noted above. This is for both kinds of units. The difference likely explains the frequency and success of your fire place usage.

There is a difference in the longevity of the logs in fireplaces. Rather than being constructed out of cement, gas fireplace logs these days are predominantly made of ceramic, which can endure extreme temperatures for a statisfying length of time. But eventually even the logs will be worn away and start to appear more like ceramic, necessitating that they be substituted.

It is advisable for specialists to be hired to replace the logs of a gas fireplace that has been sealed.

• For vented fireplaces, ceramic logs can last up to 10 years.
• For ventless fireplaces, they tend to last between three to five years.

What is the Environmental Rating of Each?

Generally, ventless fireplaces are thought to be more environmentally friendly since they combust more efficiently and release fewer carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

In contrast, vented fireplaces do expel carbon dioxide outdoors, meaning they do not need to burn as cleanly. Ventless options are usually seen as more eco-friendly than others, so they aren’t usually considered as green. To put it into percentage terms:

• A vented fireplace burns with 85% efficiency.
• A ventless fireplace burns with nearly 100% efficiency.

Which is Better–Direct Vent or Ventless Gas Fireplaces?

In order to determine which is better between two items, you have to be well informed about both of them as well as your own desired outcome. The same is true whether one uses a vented or ventless gas fireplace. The big question to answer is if you are comfortable with ventless.

Take into account that fireplaces without an outlet expel fumes that are passable for inhaling. It is essential to determine the duration for which the hearth can remain lit prior to introducing air from the outside.

The odor can be repulsive and can also be irritating to individuals with allergies or asthma.

If you are in search of an inexpensive source of heat, ventless fireplaces are the smartest option out there. Therefore, it would be a wise choice to go with a ventless fireplace.

It is also important to consider other factors that may be relevant to you when selecting a direct vent fireplace. The house is completely sealed so that air can be taken in and released to the exterior.

If you want your living room to be cozy and comfortable, you should consider getting a vented fireplace. The flame from this does not look as tidy, resembling the look of fire from a wood-burning fireplace.

How to Choose a Ventless Gas Fireplace

Wood-Burning or Not?

Wood-burning fireplaces necessitate a well-functioning flue, logs, small pieces of wood, tinder, reliable matches, an iron grate for the fireplace, as well as a poker. The atmosphere, pops and crackles, and aroma of a genuine wood-burning fire offers an incomparable experience. Nevertheless, smoke, ash, and cinders coming from blazes can be hazardous to people with breathing problems, and reverse-flow incidents can raise the amount of carbon monoxide within. If using a fireplace for a source of heat for the home, wood-burning fireplaces are inherently energy-inefficient since a good deal of the home’s heat inevitably escapes up the flue rather than radiating into interior spaces.

Vented Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces with outlets for venting hot air may be more adept than others at trapping the produced heat, however contemporary residences have grown to be made so tightly sealed that a vented gas-run fireplace may create negative air pressure which can impede ideal evacuation. The air that comes out of a chimney vent flue can even block combustible gases from other machines from escaping in an appropriate way.

Electric Fireplaces

An electric heater that looks like a traditional wood or gas-burning fireplace is an electric fireplace. No fire or gas is necessary, only an electric connection. Electric fireplaces can be hung on a wall or put inside an old fireplace which is no longer used for burning wood. Most of the screens have LED lighting or adjustable brightness to create the illusion of a burning fire. An electric fireplace is the safest option for people who have breathing issues. This fireplace is the most inexpensive of the alternatives.

Are Ventless Gas Fireplaces Your Best Option?

Ventless gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly preferred for remodeling and constructing new homes. Ventless fireplaces require less work to set up than ones that are equipped with a vent for wood or gas and they can give off a nice warmth to the area. Vented fireplaces can sometimes cause negative pressure issues due to the lack of airflow outside, but this is not a problem with a non-vented fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces emit more exhaust than non-vented gas fireplaces, and the latter could even be deemed safer. If you have a respiratory illness or are on a tight budget, electric fireplaces are your smartest and least expensive option.

Where to Buy

You can acquire ventless gas fireplaces from physical fireplace stores, big home improvement chain stores, and web-based shops. Specialty shops may offer outdoor cooking materials and grills, or just specialize in fireplaces. Major home improvement stores also carry several lines of fireplaces of all types. You will likely find the widest array of choices on the internet; however, a fireplace store will have specialists on hand to answer questions, as well as many models that they can show you, and a diverse array of products. You can also speak to your architect and builder when you are constructing something new to decide what type of fireplace is best for your fresh area and ask them to buy the fireplace via their links.