Vent Free Fireplaces

The largest that we have would be over 100".

Those are really the only ones that offer that low of a depth. Everything else is going to be a minimum of 13".

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.

The problem you experienced was likely due to sediment or other foreign material in your gas supply and not the burner itself, considering the problem was quite noticeable around the pilot assembly. To answer your question, all ventless burners are designed to be 99% clean burning, so there would be no cleaner or more efficient model we could recommend.

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.

While a mantel will help protect the TV and soundbar, to ensure that no issue occurs, you'll want to go with a vented set.

The DRT2000 and DRC2000 series models are direct vent fireplaces, they are NOT vent-free.

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.

If you are referring to the bio-ethanol burners we offer, they are designed to provide complete combustion and not emit any odors.

Sooting should not be occurring if everything is installed correctly. This could be due to the logs being placed incorrectly, which will cool the flame and cause sooting, or it could be over-pressurization of the gas valve. I would suggest having a technician come out and service the unit to get it properly operating. As for glass doors, unfortunately, they are not available for vent-free units since the front must remain open.

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.

All ventless systems will emit water vapor as a combustion byproduct and this will only become an issue in well insulated homes that lack a high rate of air exchange with the outdoors. This problem is normally rectified, somewhat, by properly sizing the BTU input of the chosen ventless system to ensure it is not over-sized for the cubic footage of the room the system is installed in, along with any other rooms that may be open to this space, in addition to installing the optional outside air kit offered with many of the ventless fireplaces and fireboxes we advertise.

We do indeed. I would suggest the Empire Medium Innsbrook Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Insert with Millivolt Controls.

We will be happy to make a few suggestions. Before we do, please provide the front width, rear width, depth, and height of your unit, as well as whether you will be utilizing natural gas or propane and whether or not you would like a remote. We look forward to your response.

Does your unit utilize natural gas or porpane?

That's no problem at all. The product manual for your unit can be found here.

We do sell Gas conversion kits for some units. If possible, you can you provide the model # of your unit, and we will happily check for you.

In all likelihood, this will not be possible, however, we would be more than happy to look into this further if the make and model number can be provided.

In all likelihood, this will not be possible, however, we would be more than happy to look into this further if the make and model number can be provided.

We do not have any owners manuals for units that old. You can contact FMI directly.

We do not. We currently offer products from the following manufacturers. Dimplex Fire Sense Holly & Martin Majestic Moda Flame Modern Flames Monessen Napoleon SEI Superior

That depends on the manufacturer and model of your unit. If you can provide us with both of those, we can check to see if we are able to get a Natural to Propane Conversion kit.

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

Please provide the model and serial number of your Desa fireplace for clarity.

I recommend having your inspector contact the manufacturer if this becomes an issue, but firebrick panels used with gas hearth systems are purely decorative and not required for safe operation. Like most all fireboxes, the optional panels for this model will include the two sides and back, but not the floor (hearth) as this area is normally concealed by the burner pan and any decorative media (lava rock, etc) purchased.

Unfortunately, vent free hearth systems are not convertible.

Ventless gas hearth systems are safety tested for safe use without the need for venting, however, these systems will require annual cleanings and are not recommended for anyone with allergies or other breathing conditions such as asthma. Because these systems provide complete combustion with the only byproducts being water vapor and carbon dioxide, they will put quite a bit of moisture into the air and lessen the available oxygen in the home slightly. While they will shut down once the oxygen level around the pilot assembly reaches 19%, this is still not ideal for anyone with asthma, etc. Additionally, newer homes with very tight insulation will not have much of an air exchange with the outdoors. In these cases, the water vapor produced may result in mold. When the system is not cleaned annually, any dust, pet dander, etc. will build up in the burner pan or on the logs. With nowhere to vent, the byproducts will simply burn away into the home, along with their somewhat toxic fumes. Lastly, if a direct vent fireplace has a 30K Btu input with 70% efficiency, it may be used more frequently to achieve the same level of heat when compared with a ventless systems with the same 30K input as these system are 99% efficient.

The only manual I was able to obtain for your unit can be found here.

I will be happy to look into this for you. Are you looking for propane or natural gas?

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.

To keep cost low, I would suggest pairing a burner assembly such as our Empire 18" Medium Assortment Ventless Natural Gas Fire Rock Set and Millivolt Loft Burner with the Empire Breckenridge VFD32FB0F Deluxe Vent-Free Flush Gas Firebox - 32".

If you are looking for a fireplace insert that can be installed into your existing prefabricated wood burning or masonry fireplace opening, you will find several models that will work with your width and height dimension here.

You most likely will be able to do this, so long as the television can be mounted safely above the fireplace per the manufacturer's minimum requirement for mantel clearances. This information will be provided in the product literature for each gas fireplace offered on our site.

For an installation such as yours, I would suggest the Napoleon High Country NZ6000 Wood Burning Fireplace, which provides the highest heat output of our wood burning units and would work well with a stone finish.

We have several vent free units from which to choose. The largest of which is our 48" Empire Boulevard fireplace. It would be useful to keep in mind that often, the larger fireplaces are generally more modern in their styling. For example, this Boulevard unit is very wide but it is not very tall. This linear style provides a more modern look than something like our 36" Empire Vail.

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

If gas pressure has been verified to be in range at the unit and the log set has been placed properly, I'm afraid there is nothing else that can really be done. Vent free units do emit an odor and some individuals are more sensitive to it than others. The amount of methyl mercaptan used in the propane by the supplier can also have an effect.

For your room we would recommend a unit with a BTU rating of approximately 18,000-20,000.

This unit can indeed be used for a screened in porch application without an issue. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not offer a model specific enclosure for this particular unit. As such, you will need to work with a local cabinetmaker or finish carpenter to trim out the unit once installed.

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.

Aside from the lower Btu output and the included blower, the primary difference between the DFS32C and DIS33 is that the DIS33 is a fireplace "insert," meaning that it was designed to be installed in an existing stone or brick masonry fireplace opening and corresponding chimney. While the DIS33 can also be framed with combustible framing as an option, there are subtle differences between the log sets and optional accessories as well. The DIS33 will arrive with a cottage clay liner while the DFS32 lists several options, but will not arrive with this already installed. The DFS32 will also list several options for mantels while the DIS33 will not.

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.

Vent free appliances should not be depended on as a primary heat source and would not be recommended for anyone with any type of breathing condition or allergy. They rely on oxygen from the home for combustion and will subsequently deplete the oxygen level without providing any type of makeup air. While the ODS or oxygen depletion sensor will shut the appliance down if the oxygen level gets to around 18%, I would not recommend installing a vent free appliance due to your condition.

We do indeed have a few units that would fit your needs, such as the Empire Vail Premium Vent-Free Propane Fireplace with Remote Ready Controls - 36" - VFP-36-BP30LLP, which can have a blower and wall mounted thermostat purchased and installed with it.

While this is a common request, I'm afraid that it cannot be safely done. The media centers do not offer enough overhead clearance in order to maintain safe temperatures. Even low output gas fireplaces require a good deal of clearance above the chassis and the relatively compact media centers do not afford enough space.

The average vented fireplace will need to produce between 16,000 to 20,000 BTUs in order to heat an area of 400 square feet. Most likely, the venting will need to be purchased and taken as well, as manufacturer specific venting can be difficult to find. I would also verify the fuel type you will have access to, as propane and propane/butane mixtures are the most prevalent in Mexico.