Vent Free Fireplace Installations

When you are building the fireplace into a wall and starting with not an preexisting fireplace, there are three options that you can choose from. No matter which type of vent free product that you purchase all of them are the same in that they are more affordable than vented, high efficiency of heat, easy installation, more odorous, increases moisture in the room from combustion of the fire and can cause lung irritation. These fireplaces are not for anyone with lung, heart, immunocompromised or any sensitives in their health.

Vent free fireplace can also be called a ventless or unvented gas fireplace. The burner is embedded into the fireplace and the gas controls are usually located at the bottom of the fireplace behind a flap. It also has a full screen in front of the fireplace. You can only put in the fireplace what the company manufactured for this fireplace. Usually you would pick out the log option, interior panel option and a decorative front. You can not put a vent free log set in this fireplace. They can come in square or linear designs.

Vent Free Fireboxes are just a firebox designed to put in your choice of vent free gas logs. The firebox and vent free gas logs are two separate appliances that have to be picked out. They usually come in a square shape. There are many interior panel choices and sizes. You do not have to get the same brand firebox as the vent free gas logs, as long as the box's btu rating is over the btu rating of the gas log set. They have mesh curtains that can open and close. You can upgrade to cabinet mesh doors or get trim pieces to your firebox. What is nice about this compared the the vent free fireplace is that since it is a separate appliance from the vent free gas log set, you can change out the vent free gas log and burner at anytime in the future if you wanted to. 

We usually put in vent free inserts into a masonry chimney, but this also can be placed into a wood framed wall. You must choose a log option, interior panel option and the black surround size is how big you would need to cover a hole. If starting from scratch I would either choose a vent free fireplace or vent free box with vent free logs than the insert. This application is better to fit an existing hole in the wall that we did not want to have to refinish the wall. 

1. Poor air quality: Combustion is never 100% efficient; some combustion by-products or exhaust are always produced. In a “ventless” gas product, post-combustion byproducts and exhaust are vented into the home, along with any excess moisture. These combustion byproducts include: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapor. These byproducts can degrade indoor air quality and may cause unnecessary exposure to toxic gases. It can cause all sorts of health problems ranging from mild headaches to death. Vent free can cause lung irritation and can affect anyone but is strongly not recommended for people with any lung conditions (asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, immunocompromised, pregnancy or other health conditions). Even gases other than carbon monoxide can cause respiratory problems if they’re present in large enough quantities and/or someone in the home has sensitivity to that gas. It also produces an odor while burning and intensifies the odors already present in the living space (dust, pet dander etc.). If you decide to install a vent-free gas fireplace,  install multiple carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Check them regularly.

2. Water Vapor ( Moisture, mold, or mildew): Constant use of “ventless” products will exhaust a lot of moisture into the home, which could lead to excessive condensation, mold, or mildew. This may cause or exacerbate allergic reactions. Excessive moisture can also lead to deterioration of the structure of your home. Wood can be severely damaged by mold, mildew, or dry rot. 

By signing an estimate means that I have read and understood the cons of owning a vent free gas product and I will not hold All Pro Fireplace responsible for the possible negative effects of my health, home and safety. I understand that I will not receive any exchanges or refunds on any vent free/ventless fireplaces.