Is There Such A Thing As A "non Vented" Gas FP

72chevy4x4

customer asks me to look at their gas fireplace. apparently, the previous HO had it installed adn there is no fresh intake and no exhaust. HO complains it smells up the house w/ fumes-really, there is no exhuast.

were these common place at one time or was this not installed properly? I'm trying to sell them an install to make it a direct vent with a more finished look inside-not sure if it's an option on this particular unit.

shed-n-deck

Yes, there are such things as 100% efficient(or really close to 100) FP's. When they are newer, they do tend to stink, and have caused me a headache or 2.

If you are thinking of exhausting the unit, I would first hire someone that knows these FP's to give some advice before I made any decisions. If you exhaust it, you'll only be exhausting heat from what I understand.

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Shed

ron schenker

Non vented stoves and fireplaces are common in the U.S. but are not certified here in Canada. They do incorporate built in sensors that shut down the unit if CO levels get too high. I've heard that they release alot of condensation into the room and some nasty odors. I'd never put one in my house, but that's just me.

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woodmagman

I went to look at a fireplace that the customer wanted to upgrade to a direct vent. When I started to measure up for what would be needed I discovered there was no flue. The house was built in the late teens and ceramic heater was install with a 3 inch outlet for the flue but had never been terminated. The customer used it regularly to that day...looking at the walls I moved a picture, the color was bright white behind and brown every where else. Needless to say the gas got shut off that day and we did install a D.V.

boman47k

Most if not all non-vents here in the U.S. ( I think ) require a window to be raised to provide one square inch per so many btu on the heater. I have seen them turn southern walls ( non insulated) black. Tried one myself. In the end I removed it. I also had to remove one from a rental I own that was rented to section 8 as they banned them here. When I removed the one in my house and had central H&A installed, I did keep a gas line for it in case of another ice storm and no power. Its been so long, I doubt if I would try to use it now even for a power outage. I have also known ppl who say they have had no problems with them. So, I guess it depends on the house and the allowance for fresh air.

works4me

I put one in my own finished basement 3 years ago ( I live in Illinois - some cold winter days here ). I like mine alot. I've installed several D.V. in spec homes I built, but mine was the first non-vented I've done. haven't done one for any customers, but fireplaces aren't really my thing. Anyway, it heats up my basement family room (32 x 28) in minutes - very efficient. I believe it is something like 99.85% or something like that. Designed for people in high rise condos with $$$ who want fireplace but can't vent them (don't quote me on that - just what I heard). It does have its drawbacks - mine is 3 years old and has an odor (slight but noticable) during initial start up mostly, and not as noticable as it is used more during the season. It is of course burning the oxygen in the room, but like I said it heats up my large room 10 - 15 degrees in about 5 min. and i shut it down for 20 min or so. I do have a walk out basement and lots of windows (one right next to the fireplace which I do crack open maybe 25% of the time). So, I guess my setup is pretty ideal for one. I would not use it for a main heat source of my house and shut the furnace off by any means - for me it is just a nice supplement to fire up my basement quickly. As a matter of fact it is only 28 degrees out right now and my toes are cold - I'm going to fire it up for a bit. So, for what I use mine for it is really good, but if you want one in your main family room and have it burning for an hour or two (for atmosphere as much as for heat) while you have company over for Christmas or something I'd probably get a vented one.

Mr. Wms

They sell them at Lowes and HD.

I have one in my basement family room and love it.

Griffino

This is something I would never suggest to a client, especially here in Alaska. The houses up here are build so tight, our main problems are moisture in walls and roofs. What this means is, there is no where for the CO to go but in our bodies, not good!

Every year you hear about one family (it seems) dying of CO poisoning. One family died 2-3 years ago on Christmas Eve from an uninsulated flue. This is serious business.

I consider CO for people like alchohol for pregnant women; some people say a drink each day is ok, but is it really?

Griffino

I'd like to add, you would be exhausting heat yes, but only hot air which is only a portion of the heat. Radiant heat is the larger variable here. Also, anything with any sort of vent is a negative % efficience when not in use. I don't care what kind of damper is in use.

This is the bottom line: vent for safety - don't vent for efficiency. I vote safely!

nywoodwizard

The word unvented is what it means "no vents". These units don't give off smoke or soot,therefore no vent is needed. They burn as clean as your gas cooking stove. These things give off an awful lot of heat so be careful were its placed. Its also not made to supplement heating your house.There supposed to be very safe ,but safty measures should be followed, make sure there are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed before hand. The remote thermostats come in handy,keeps the rooms from getting to hot. Special care should be taken if installing a Mantle, make sure it has the min clearance on sides and above the unit as shown in the manufactures instructions.
Heres one i installed ,the homeowner loves it

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nywoodwizard

whoops forgot the picture. I also built the mantle and installed the granite tile.

Attached Images

 

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Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

wink

i don't know squat about fireplaces, but i do like the job you did on that mantle