Turn on the fireplace. If the flames reach above the gas logs and the look like a wood burning fireplace , then the logs must be vented. If the flames are small, an have a blue cast, the fireplace is vent-free.
What is the difference between a vented and unvented gas fireplace?
Vented and Ventless Gas Logs are a little different. Vented gas logs burn like a real wood fire with a yellow flame that produces smoke. ... Ventless (vent-free) gas logs burn cleanly with a lower flame that does not smoke . You can burn them with the damper closed to heat your room.
Do gas fireplaces have to be vented?
Do Gas Fireplaces Need Venting? Not all gas fireplaces need venting. Both natural vent and direct vent gas fireplaces need venting, which exhaust air up a chimney and through the wall to the outside respectively. Ventless gas fireplaces don’t need venting .
How do I know if my gas fireplace flue is open or closed?
You can reach inside of the fireplace opening and behind the lintel to touch the damper . You should be able to open and close it with a knob (this is usually located on the front face of the fireplace) or rod (located in the fireplace, above the firebox).
How do I know what kind of gas fireplace I have?
Each fireplace and insert has a rating plate which contains your model number and serial number. Gas and wood burning fireplaces have a rating plate in the control compartment area, under the smoke shield or on the firebox side column.
Which is better vented or ventless gas fireplace?
Ventless fireplaces are more energy efficient than vented fireplaces because no heat escapes up the flue, so you’ll save money on gas utility bills. A vented gas fireplace uses more gas to create the same level of warmth because some of its heat escapes through the flue.
How long can you leave a vented gas fireplace on?
If you own a fireplace that is fully-vented and equipped with a sealed glass front, this type of unit can operate continuously. On the flip side, if your fireplace unit is vent-free and equipped with front doors that can open – this unit should only operate for a maximum of three hours at a time .
How do you vent a gas log fireplace?
Venting horizontally—through a wall—is a simple solution, ideal in cases where a gas fireplace is being installed on an exterior wall. Venting can be as easy as running pipe from the back of the fireplace out through the wall, then installing a termination cap.
How do you vent a gas fireplace without a chimney?
If you don’t have a chimney, a natural vent system can also use a pipe venting system , which is typically installed through the roof. Here, you can get around having to use a brick and mortar chimney to rid the home of fumes and use a pipe system instead.
How much clearance do you need for a gas fireplace?
The standard building code is 6 inches of minimum clearance around the opening of the fireplace and it must be surrounded by a noncombustible material. However, if the mantel projects more than 1 1/2 inches from the face of the fireplace, the top noncombustible clearance must be at least 12 inches.
Do I need to open my flue on a gas fireplace?
Our research shows that the flue on a gas fireplace should remain open during use or when the pilot light is lit . If the flue is closed in either instance, you risk a greater chance of carbon monoxide poisoning or a spark induced structure fire due to a buildup of toxins emitted by propane or natural gas burners.
Can you run a gas fireplace with the flue closed?
Since there is little or no exhaust, they can be burned with the damper closed . The beauty of this type of system is that 99.9% of the heat produced by the gas logs goes into the room, so they produce substantially more heat than their vented counter-parts.
Should the damper be open all the way?
When should the damper be kept open or closed? The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace . ... Close the damper when the fire is extinguished. This will prevent the heated air from escaping through the chimney and will keep water and other debris out of the flue.
How do I know if my gas fireplace is safe to use?
A properly operating gas fireplace will have a safe and secure glass enclosure, will ignite without delay, have a clean blueish color flame and will vent properly out through a termination cap that is clear from debris or obstruction.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning . While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.
Do gas fireplaces give off heat?
A gas fireplace only produces heat when it’s on and the flames are burning , meaning that a gas fireplace can’t produce heat for your home when it has been turned off. Gas fireplaces aren’t always used primarily for heating purposes.
