In the past, fireplaces were always made with a chimney that provided an escape for the carbon monoxide and other toxins that are produced when burning wood or gas. These types of fireplaces are called vented fireplaces. Though vented fireplaces are still very popular, a new option is available. This option is called a vent free fireplace. A vent free fireplace uses special natural gas or propane logs or other materials that do not produce large amounts of soot or carbon monoxide, so they can be safely used without a vent needed to allow toxic gases to escape.

Vent free fireplaces are designed to burn a very clean, very hot flame that results in fewer chemicals released into the air that will be breathed in by anyone near the fireplace. This is a safe and economical alternative for people who do not already have a fireplace and chimney built into the home. Not only is a vent free fireplace an economical purchase for those without a chimney, it is an efficient method of heating even for those who currently use a vented fireplace. An insert or firebox can be installed in an existing fireplace and this will warm the room without part of the heat escaping up the chimney with the carbon monoxide.

Visit us at:visit our Facebook page at:you are interest. Vent Free Fireplace Installation Vent-free fireplaces use either natural gas or propane and don't require a chimney to work properly. You can place these fireplaces just about anywhere in a home or business without needing major construction for venting.

There are some things to consider before opting for a vent free fireplace, however. Some carbon monoxide and other chemicals will still be released into the air inside the home. Though these levels have been determined to be safe, some people are more sensitive to gases and toxins and might find they are intolerant to even the low levels of fumes produced and suffer eye, nose, and throat irritation. Also, if other fuel burning appliances are used in the home, there might not be adequate ventilation for all. A guide should be consulted for the specific vent free fireplace purchased to determine the amount of fresh air required in the home to be used for combustion on all the appliances combined.

To be safe, all homes should have carbon monoxide detectors installed. If there is a question as to whether or not enough fresh air is available, a window may be opened, or a permanent hole may be cut in a wall to provide adequate air for combustion without irritation. Vent free fireplaces should be installed by professionals who can assure home owners that adequate air is available in the home.

Ventless Gas Fireplaces: How Safe are They Really?earlyexperts.net

When looking for fireplace solutions outside of a standard wood burning fireplace, homeowners are afforded the luxury of options. All, however, have some pros and cons that are important to consider.

First and foremost, there is fuel. If your home runs on oil, then it will be difficult for you to secure a gas powered fireplace without bringing in external fuel. The same is true of propane. There are also electric options. Finally, you can go old school, and opt for a wood burning insert. The major downside to woodburning is the maintenance associated with foraging for wood each year and allowing time for it to season for dry wood that quickly and cleanly ignites.

The other issue with any of the above inserts or stoves is that in each case, additional ventilation must be installed along with the unit itself. This means high costs, the need to pull permits, and sometimes even have the job inspected after the fact.

Thus, your modest desire for a little warmth and ambiance becomes a much bigger job.

Installing A Direct Vent Fireplace

To avoid this, many homeowners toy with the idea of ventless fireplaces. The basic concept is in the name- a fireplace insert, typically gas or propane burning, that needs no ventilation. This is because the gas or propane insert creates no smoke, just a flame and its subsequent heat.

But the idea of a fire without smoke and a fireplace without ventilation tends to give people pause. Certainly something is emitted into the home as gas burns up, even if it isn’t smoke from wood fuel, right?

Questions like this lead to larger more encompassing questions as we begin our research of fireplace options, and specifically ventless units: are they even safe?

Vent-Free

The fact of the matter is that vent-free, gas burning fireplaces and other other appliances definitely DO emit elemental gasses into the home, including carbon dioxide (Not a huge deal. So do we!) and some more harmful gas fuel by products like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.

But how then, if it is known that these ventless units contribute to the dagners outlines above, can they be considered safe for homes or even sold in stores? Well, for some, the answer to those questions are they can’t and they shouldn’t.

Others have a different opinion, arguing that gas burns openly in homes every day at no great detriment. Look no further than your gas stove top.

Neither of these points of view captures the complexity of gas emissions via vent free appliances. With respect to the latter argument, part of the reason why gas stoves are not harmful is that they are rarely opened all the way for more than one burner at a time. This limits the amount of gas emissions tremendously.

Still, if you turned up each burner full blast, opened the oven and set it to broil, and left a burning candle in your home while you ran some errands, you might come home to a pile of rubble, or at the very least a super toxic gas problem.

This type of perspective is important to consider as you shop for ventless fireplace units. With a properly sized unit that only runs occasionally or a few hours at a time, there will likely be no problems.

Still nervous or unsure? Check the owner’s manual for specifications around burning times and gas emissions. A quick skim is likely all you will need to settle your anxieties.

Carbon Monoxide and Water Vapor?

Carbon monoxide is by far the most widely known of the dangerous gasses. Part of this notoriety stems from the fact that it is scentless and colorless. Thus, if a leak were to spring in your home’s gas line, there would be no way of knowing until the harmful health effects began to take shape.

These health hazards can span from minor things like headaches to even death in worst case scenarios. This is why detectors are so important, and even more so if you decide to install a ventless fireplace unit.

Install additional detectors throughout the house including one in the same room as the fireplace. This way, if yours does begin to emit carbon monoxide you will know right away and can remedy the situation before it has spread too far throughout the home.

Vent-free, gas fireplace units have also been known to emit water vapor over time. While water vapor may not be a direct hazard to human beings like carbon monoxide is, when a copious amount of damp, warm air begins to fill the home, some serious damage can be caused.

For starters, you may start to see your wall paper peel. If the vapor emissions persist, mold and mildew can begin to fester, which down the road could compromise the wood joists and framework that provide structural integrity to your home.

Safety and Alternatives

Some factors to consider with respect to safety and vent-free gas burners:

Was the unit installed properly by a licensed professional?
Is the unit the correct size for your fireplace opening?
Are you using your unit correctly?
How do you know if the unit is not working properly or has failed?

These are some vital questions you should have in the back of your mind throughout the shopping, install, and eventual use of any gas appliance, but especially your vent-free fireplace. So much of wh

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