Are Ventless Fireplaces Safe? | Woodlanddirect.com (2024)

Adding aVentless,or Vent-Free, fireplace isa popular solution forhomeowners who want the look andfeel of awoodburningfireplacewithoutcommitting to thecostly renovationsrequiredto add achimney.

Ventless fireplacesarespecificallydesignedto burn at nearly 100% efficiency,leavingno smoke and little to no fumes behind.Plus, you canputone in practically any roomofthe house.

When installed correctly,Ventless appliances serve as excellent secondary heating solutions and are considered very safe.They’re also equipped with safety systems thatprevent poor air quality and reduce health risks.

We’ve outlined the mostimportantthingsyou needto know about Ventlessfireplaces to help youdetermine if it’s safe to install one in yourhome.

Ventless gas fireplacesdon’t require a chimney or venting system of any kind, allowingallthe heatthat’sproducedtostay inside your home.

Theyfunction on a closed-loop systemand rely on natural convection. Coolindoorroom air is drawn into the firebox for combustion,then hot exhaust is expelled into the room.

Equipped with special burners that use a small amount ofNatural Gas or Liquid Propane,Ventless units emit little tono gases after combustion. What remains will typically be made up of water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Thoughany dangerous gases left will be minimaland within safe limits, Ventless fireplacesincludebuilt-in sensors that monitortheoxygen levelin the room. This important feature allows them to operate safely without a chimney.

Certain states, like California, have outlawed indoor installations of Ventless fireplaces altogether, while others have strict installation requirements.

If you’re installing a Ventless appliance in your homeor commercial space, always take the safe route and check your local building, city, state, and fire codes,along withthe minimum room size requirementto ensure your product is compliant.

Ventless appliances can intensify odors that are already present inside your home.

Impurities, such as pet hair, scented candles, fresh paint, and cleaning chemicals, are drawn into the firebox, along with thefreshindoor room air used for combustion.

When these scentsareemitted back intothe room,they often become strongerandcanpotentiallycauselung irritation in sensitive individuals.

For this reason, it’s not recommended to install a Ventless fireplace if you or someone in your household has asthma, allergies, or chronic bronchitis.

As oxygen burns for combustion in a Ventless fireplace, water vapor is produced, which increases humidity levels in your home. This can be a great source of extra moisture in the dry winter months, especially if you live in a cold climate.

However, if you plan on letting your Ventless fireplace burn for an extended amount of time, it’s recommended to leave a window cracked near the fireplace to preventexcess condensation, which could lead to mold or mildew growth.

Without enough oxygen, Ventless fireplaceswon’tburn cleanly. For this reason,each fireplace isequipped withanOxygen Depletion Sensor(ODS), which continuouslymonitorsthe oxygen levels in the room and automatically shuts the fireplace off if oxygen levels drop below the safe threshold of 18%.

You will also need to install a carbon monoxide detectornear your fireplaceas a secondary precaution.

While Ventless fireplaces make great secondary heating sources, they are limited to a maximum of 40,000 BTUs per hour to ensure there is enough oxygen left in the room.

For bedroom and bathroom installations, the maximum BTU output is even more limited, allowing only 6,000 to 10,000 BTUs, no matter the size of the space.

If youchoosegas logs for your media bed, they must be installed to the manufacturer’s specifications and cannot be modified in any way. Ventless gas logs are designed to fit together in a specific pattern to prevent the flames from impinging on the logs.

If the flamesbrush against thelog setinside your Ventlessfireplace, the finishing materialwillburn offand create harmful byproducts that infiltrate your home.

Alwaysbe sure tofollow the diagram inthe installation manual to ensure you’ve achieved the proper placementfor yourVentlessgas logs.

Since they don’t require a chimney or venting of any kind,Ventlessappliancesoffer youmorefreedom andflexibility toadd ambiancetoa variety ofspaces.They’re ideal for condos, apartments, offices, and high-rise penthouses due to their straightforward installation.

However,Ventless fireplaces will require a hard-piped gas line for installation. If you don’t have a gas line inside of your home already, you’ll need to hire a licensed professional in your area to install one for you.

To make sure you’re selecting an appropriate and safe locationforyour Ventless fireplace, we recommend choosing a few models that you like, thenchecking theirinstallationmanualsfor specific installation requirements.

Be sure to measure the cubic footage ofyourspace to make sure it’scompliantwith the room size requirementsnoted in each manual.

From there, you’ll need toensure the fireplace and location you’ve chosensatisfyyourlocal, city, and state codes.

Once you’ve purchased your Ventless fireplace, you’ll need to hire a license professional to installit.

If an individual who isn’t adequately trained and certified in gas products installs the fireplace, the warranty will be void on your product and you may encounter technical issues, or severe health and safety concerns.

Your certified installer willsimplyfollow the instructions in the installation manualthat comes with your Ventless fireplace.

If youor your installer havequestionsaboutfirecodes,the instruction manual,or installation requirements,pleasecall our team of NFI certified expertsat800.919.1904 andwe’llwalkyouthrough the process.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Have more questions about Ventless gas fireplaces? We’d love to help! Call our team of NFI certified experts todayat800.919.1904.

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