I am in buying a house, which is under ocnstruction. I had asked for a gas fire place in the basement. The builder put a ventless one without consulting me. I am little skeptic as my son has alergies. Is ventless gas fire place safe as it is advertised or are there issues with them? Please share your experience
My builder put in a ventless gas fireplace as well. Expect thar the temperature above the opening of the fireplace to be about 170 degrees == room temperature. Also make sure he is going by manufacture specs when it comes to placing decorative stone/tile/marble...around the fire box and as a hearth or an extension. My manufacture says to use 1/2 inch fireproof items such as I listed. My builder put 1/4 inch and insists this is o.k.-IT IS NOT O.K..
As far as your sons allergies, the logs will take about 4-6 hours to "burn in" - meaning that it takes about that long using the logs to have them burn off a chemical coating they have until they burn "clean".
That said, my fireplace is beautiful and energy efficient; it is also the builders cheapest way oue...I would have liked it much better had it been vented. I hope I helped...
Posts: 13 | Location: florida | Registered: 09 November 2006
You are right to question this. Despite the popularity of ventless fireplaces, there are air quality issues. The units do come with sensors for low oxygen/Carbon monoxide detection, but that is just part of the story. If this unit is used only occasionally, and not for extended periods perhaps OK. But longterm/extended use results in buildup of combustion products, including some of the nitrogen compound offenders found in smog,and increased CO2. Do an internet search. Anyone with any kind of respiratory-related or circulatory issues should beware. If I had one I would not operate it without providing ventilation in some manner. Energy efficiency is not everything.
Originally posted by oden347: My builder put in a ventless gas fireplace as well. Expect thar the temperature above the opening of the fireplace to be about 170 degrees == room temperature. Also make sure he is going by manufacture specs when it comes to placing decorative stone/tile/marble...around the fire box and as a hearth or an extension. My manufacture says to use 1/2 inch fireproof items such as I listed. My builder put 1/4 inch and insists this is o.k.-IT IS NOT O.K..
As far as your sons allergies, the logs will take about 4-6 hours to "burn in" - meaning that it takes about that long using the logs to have them burn off a chemical coating they have until they burn "clean".
That said, my fireplace is beautiful and energy efficient; it is also the builders cheapest way oue...I would have liked it much better had it been vented. I hope I helped...
Ventless natural gas fireplaces when properly set up burn clean. They do add moisture to the room from combustion process. You may see condensation on the windows and walls. Don't use it for the primary heat source.
A vented fireplace will provide dry heat and can be used for a primary heat sorce.
