Vented Versus Vent Free Fireplace

A vent free fireplace operates without a chimney or outside flues or vents.

Vented versus vent free fireplace.

Be careful of self proclaimed experts who really don t know what they are talking about. Vent free fireplaces are safer than gas cooking range. Ventless fireplaces are 99 efficient safe and ul tested. A custom ventless fireplace ranges between 2 500 4 000 versus 5 000 6 000 for a vented unit faust says.

Maintain indoor air quality direct vent gas fireplaces. Vent free models are less expensive than vented fireplaces since there are fewer parts to install. Most houses have enough air infiltration to handle the make up combustion air for a single vent free fireplace but mechanical ventilation is required for energy efficient houses regardless of whether there is a fireplace or gas cooktop. The inner pipe vents the exhaust through the roof or outside wall.

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. Vented gas logs produce carbon monoxide emissions so your fireplace must have a chimney or flue. According to the hearth association ventless fireplaces boast efficiency rates of 99 percent compared to 70 85 percent for vented units. Some of the benefits of vent free fireplaces include.

Vent free or ventless fireplaces have been in use for over 20 years. Ventless gas fireplaces on the other hand will cost between 1 000 and 5 000. Cost and energy efficiency however make ventless fireplaces attractive to others. Direct vent fireplaces require a venting system while ventless fireplaces are just that completely vent free.

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 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. There are no hard facts to back up these claims. Because no heat is leaving the house through a duct or a chimney this style of fireplace makes for excellent heating.

Generally gas fireplaces direct vent pricing is more expensive than a ventless gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces come in two configurations. No chimney is required although the piping can be hidden in the chimney if the fireplace is installed in one. With professional installation and any remodeling that needs to be done vented gas fireplaces will cost you around 3 500 8 000.

Here s what you need to know to help you decide which type is right for you. The main difference between ventless and vented fireplaces can be found when examining the emissions produced by the fireplace and how they are removed from the home.