Ventless Gas Fireplace
A ventless gas fireplace is the ideal solution for heating a single room. Since it does not need an external venting duct, or flue or chimney it is a lot less expensive to install compared to traditional wood and gas fireplaces. Ventless gas fireplaces use propane or natural gas for fuel, utilizing the gas in the room to burn.
Ventless gas fireplaces are often used as an alternative or additional source of heat for rooms that get extra cold such as a bedroom. These fireplaces are also valued for their aesthetic qualities as they are available in different colors, shapes and sizes. They are also easy to run since all that is required is a natural gas pipeline or a line to supply propane from a tank.
The choice of a gas ventless fireplace will depend primarily on how it is going to be used. Each fireplace is rated to say how much energy will be consumed and the amount of heat they deliver, measured in BTU’s. The BTU gives an indication of the size of the room that a fireplace can heat effectively. It would be pointless to install a fireplace with a high output for a small room, it would be wasted.
A fireplace cannot be completely ventless since it requires the oxygen in the air to create flames. Without vents it would simply get extinguished. A ventless gas fireplace uses chimneyless or ductless technology and so vents out into the room. Hence the volume of air in room will make a difference. Most manufacturers do not recommend using a ventless gas fireplace as a primary source of heat. Instead they recommend using it as a secondary source when there is no electricity.
A ventless gas fireplace also increases the level of humidity in a room, since burning propane or gas tends to create water vapor that builds up in a room. If you use vent free gas logs you will find that they have burners that are specially designed to be uncovered. These burners are concealed behind the logs and are adjusted to let in enough air for efficient combustion of the natural gas. This reduces the amount of carbon monoxide produced.
An additional safety measure ensures that the ventfree logs are fitted with oxygen depletion sensors that dilute or deplete the amount of oxygen left in a room and protect against the buildup of carbon monoxide. This activates the sensor and the gas supply to the logs shuts down.