Vent Free Fireplaces

That is a generalization that is not really accurate. Different units produce different amounts of BTU's. Vent free sets are generally rated with lower BTU outputs then most vented sets. The fact that vented unit do lose much of that heat up the chimney make it appear that vent free units put out more heat, when in fact it is just a high percent of the heat produced is transfer into the home.

All vent free burner systems are designed to provide complete combustion and will burn cleanly with proper installation and maintenance. If the ventless burner is to be installed in an area where there is carpeting, candles being burned, high traffic, ceiling fans in operation, fresh paint or plug in air fresheners, etc., any ventless system will produce an odor.

Unfortunately, electric units can not be converted to propane.

Because there is no venting on the unit, you are more likely to notice the smell of gas, just as with a space heater. If this is a new unit, the logs might still be in their curing process and can emit some odor. This should dissipate with use. If you smell gas when the burner is not in operation, please turn off your gas and call a licensed technician to inspect the unit.

There is no literature warning against ventless fireplace units around pregnant women or children, but ventless units have been known to bother those with allergies as they will kick out everything they draw in from the room. These appliances have Oxygen Depletion Sensors as safety measures to shut down the burner if the unit senses low oxygen around the fireplace.

When properly installed and maintained, ventless systems offer complete combustion with the only byproducts being water vapor and carbon dioxide.

If you have an existing vent free natural gas fireplace and need to convert it to liquid propane, ventless systems are not convertible. Unfortunately, no conversion kit would be available.

There is a wealth of information discussing this topic posted here.

Vent free fireplaces can utilize both natural gas and propane fuels, although it is important to note that a vent free appliance cannot be converted between fuels in the field. I highly recommend working with a reputable local plumber or HVAC technician to complete your installation.

Certainly. This enclosure is commonly called a "doghouse" in the industry and is a relatively common way to enclose both vent-free and direct vent fireplaces without sacrificing the floor space in a room.

Televisions can indeed be mounted above vent free fireplaces, however you must follow the guidelines specified by the manufacturer. For a 500 square foot area in your climate, I recommend a vent free unit around 20,000 BTUs.

Both direct vent and vent free gas fireplaces generally do not require a non-combustible hearth as a rule. There are a handful of models on the market that require one, but they are rare. The installation instructions for each model will specifically state if this is a requirement.

Vent free fireplaces can indeed be installed in an interior wall.

By mandate, all vent free fireplace utilize an oxygen depletion system. In the event of low oxygen levels in the room, the pilot flame will begin to lift away from the pilot tube. When oxygen levels become low enough, the flame will lift so far off of the tube that it will no longer heat the thermocouple/flame sensor. This will cause the valve to lose voltage/signal and shut down, extinguishing the main burner flame.

As vent free fireplaces utilize the oxygen from the room they are installed in for combustion and are 99% efficient and clean burning, they do not require a chimney.

The logs themselves can be cleaned using a vacuum and brush to remove debris. Any remaining debris can be wiped off with a dry soft rag, but I would advise against using any type of cleaner on the log as the cleaner could negatively react with the flames from the burner. I would check your owner's manual to see if they allow for a damp rag to be used to clean the logs themselves.

Unfortunately, no. Vent free fireplaces and log sets are engineered to burn a certain color and cannot be adjusted in any way. Making adjustments carries the risk of causing incomplete combustion.

Unfortunately, no. Condensation on windows can occur when a vent free appliance is operated in smaller rooms or for an extended period of time. The only way to rectify the issue is to use a dehumidifier in the area or to limit the operation of the appliance.

Yes, any of our vent-free fireplaces can be installed without a chimney. Some use gas and others are electric.

No, unfortunately, vent-free gas fireplaces cannot be converted for fuel type.

If the unit is a true insert, meaning a metal chassis that was slid into an existing fireplace, it cannot be vented. The insert will not have provisions for a vent. A vent free log set can of course be vented by opening the damper. While you may be experiencing sensitivity to the byproducts of a vent free heater, headaches are usually a sign that the unit is producing carbon monoxide. If the unit has not been serviced recently, it may need to be cleaned and the air shutter adjusted to verify that it has the cleanest burn possible.

As long as proper clearances are maintained from the fireplace to all combustible materials, there should be no ill effects. When it comes to televisions, it is not the best idea to place one directly above a vent free fireplace, without some sort of barrier. All heat produced by a vent free fireplace will immediately rise and can damage sensitive electronics. Only if there is a mantel or shelf that projects further from the wall than the television does or if the television is placed on a free standing mantel should this setup be okay.

To convert the fireplace, you would need to purchase either a vent free log set or vent free insert. Either system could be operated within the opening and would be burned with the damper closed, allowing heat to circulate into the room for supplemental heating abilities.

Generally speaking, no. California has outlawed the use of vent-free gas appliances in most applications. Please contact your local building code enforcement office for more information.

Yes. The gas line will need to run inside the firebox for connection to a ventless gas log set.

Most vent free fireplaces are unable to use doors, as they need to be able to readily convect heated air to the room. However, most units will have a safety screen that is placed over the opening in order to serve as a protective barrier.

There are indeed standard requirements for vent-free appliances. These are as follows: 1. No vent-free appliance shall be used in a bathroom. 2. No vent-free appliance, greater than 10,000 BTU input, shall be used in a bedroom. Some manufacturers do not allow use in a bedroom, period. 3. Most vent-free appliances do not perform well above 4,500 feet, due to the lack of oxygen. A few manufacturers do offer a "high altitude orifice" to remedy the issue, but this is usually only effective to 7,500 feet. I do not recommend using a vent-free appliance above this elevation.

We understand your concern about a gas-burning appliance that has no exhaust. Vent-free fireplaces and stoves are designed to burn cleanly, so there is no incomplete combustion, and, thus, no carbon monoxide. The clean combustion by-products are primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor. All vent-free appliances are also equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). This sensor will shut down the appliance if the oxygen in the room drops below normal levels, and well before any dangerous levels are reached.