Although less expensive and easier to install than a traditional fireplace , the gas and propane options do have some risks since there's no chimney to expel their gases to the outside. Modern ventless fireplace models are strictly regulated by federal agencies and standards groups for safe operation in your home. But the debate about their safety does continue. In fact, Massachusetts and California, as well as Canada and other countries, have outlawed gas and propane ventless fireplaces.
Ventless fireplaces are typically freestanding units that don't require a flue or chimney to exhaust combustion air to the outdoors, making them relatively easy to install in any room.
Those fueled by natural gas or propane can be positioned anywhere that a supply line can be installed -- usually against a wall or inside an existing masonry fireplace. The latest models also feature automatic ignition, a function that eliminates the need for an outside electrical circuit to spark the pilot light -- a handy feature should the electricity ever go out. Gel-fueled units are even more versatile, as they're completely self-contained not tethered to a supply line and light with a match.
Electric units need only a volt outlet nearby, and a dedicated circuit isn't necessary. Canada Indoor ventless gas fireplaces cannot be sold in Canada. They can be sold and installed outdoors as fire features or outdoor fireplaces in areas with adequate air circulation. United States Most states in the US will allow the installation of ventless fireplaces.
For more accurate information about the legality of indoor ventless fireplaces consult your local government or talk to your local authorized fireplace dealer.
The National Building Code requires a ventless fireplace to be placed in rooms with a certain square footage and are restricted from being placed in bathrooms and bedrooms. In addition, the building code requires a fresh air source to be within a certain distance of the fireplace.
Consult local experts to get specific policies in your area. Vent-Free Gas Logs Ventless Gas Logs release heat and moisture into the same room where the vent-free fireplace is installed and recirculate the same air back into the room. Vented Gas Logs Vented Gas Logs burn similar to real wood and need a chimney vent pipe that allows air to escape outside the home rather than back into the room.
Ventless vs. Vented While the claims of more heat per dollar of fuel and lower installation costs are usually true, many industry experts raise concerns about gas appliances that vent into an indoor living space.
Claims of reduced carbon monoxide emissions are true… in the beginning. Carbon Monoxide is only ONE of the chemicals to worry about, but it is the worst. The process of combining natural gas or propane and household air in the act of combustion is complex. The assumption is that other chemicals go along for the ride , will be vented to the outdoors.
The problem is that for non-vented appliances, this is not the case. The more severe criticisms of ventless gas are people feeling sick or discovering mold growth from the added humidity in the room. Ventless logs pose a risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Are Ventless Gas Logs Safe?
The answers can be more complex than most people care to read about, so in our next post, we provide a short list of pros and cons for installing a ventless gas system into your home. States including California and Massachusetts have banned the installation of ventless fireplaces, and the devices are not permitted in HUD housing. Individual municipalities may also ban them, so check with your local building authority before you purchase a ventless fireplace.
While the Centers for Disease Control CDC does not specifically track deaths or injuries from exposure to the carbon monoxide gas produced by ventless fireplaces, about 15, Americans suffer from exposure to CO annually all means and nearly die.
According to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors NACHI , even though ventless fireplaces greatly reduce toxic fumes, they will still release some small amount into the home, which increases the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. Additionally, ventless fireplaces produce water vapor as a byproduct of the combustion process, which can lead to high levels of humidity in the home and an increased the risk of mold growth.
The following tips will also help ensure your safety. Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila.
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