We’re going to discuss a ventless fireplace by touching key areas to be noted about chimneyless fireplaces.
If you have a fireplace, you may know or have heard about vented and ventless fireplaces. As the name suggests, these are basically conduits that lead out smoke and combustion gases while also drawing in air to support combustion.
So logically, a ventless fireplace should be one without a vent, right? Absolutely!
So, without further ado, let’s proceed to our discussion.
What Is A Ventless Fireplace?
Ventless fireplaces eliminate the need for chimneys. Now, chimneys are known to perform a vital function; that is, to serve as an exhaust for combustion gases and smoke.
So, if a fireplace isn’t vented, it simply implies there’s little to no by-product of combustion at all!
Ordinarily, fuels such as firewood and pellets will produce smoke when burned. Other byproducts include ash and gases which form creosote deposits.
Due to the nature or design of ventless fireplaces, these fuels can’t be burned or combusted there.
Ventless fireplaces give an idea of clean combustion. So, what fuels burn clean? There are several of them. They include natural gas, alcohol-based gels, electricity, and propane.
Because there won’t generate smoke and other combustion byproducts such as wood fuels, they’re best suited to power ventless fireplaces.
One key feature with ventless fireplaces is that you won’t need as much professional help as you would for traditional or vented fireplaces.
The reason for this is obvious; there are no chimney flues to be cleaned of combustion byproducts. Plus general maintenance is necessary but minimal.
Advantages Of Ventless Fireplaces
There are several benefits when it comes to using or installing a ventless fireplace in your home. Starting with the advantages, you benefit from an energy-efficient heating system by using a ventless fireplace.
No soot or ash is produced, and they’re easily used for supplementary heating. Other benefits include efficient combustion, and more affordable.
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Energy-Efficient Heating System
Energy efficiency is a vital necessity when it comes to fuel combustion.
For ventless fireplaces, heat escape hardly occurs as is the case with vented fireplaces. Since there’s no chimney flue, all the heat produced remains within your home.
This saves you a lot on gas utility bills. Plus, it’s important to note that a vented gas fireplace requires more heating to attain similar levels of warmth as ventless fireplaces.
This is largely due to heat escape through the vents or chimney flue.
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Zero Soot or Ash
One of the main benefits of having a ventless fireplace installed is because it burns clean. Clean combustion in this sense refers to the absence of soot and ash.
Now, wood-burning fireplaces are most notorious for producing these combustion byproducts.
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Ideal for Supplementary Heating
Supplementary heating in this sense doesn’t refer to ventless fireplaces playing second fiddle to any other fireplace type.
Rather, it points to the possibility of adding more ventless fireplace units to other areas or rooms within a home. This action helps create more heat where necessary.
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Efficient Combustion
In terms of efficiency, ventless fireplace flames burn as efficiently as a vented fireplace. This is although the only air needed to keep the flame burning is within the room.
Plus, the ambiance of burning flames is equal to or as good as those invented fireplaces.
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More Affordable
It’s easy to see why ventless fireplaces are more affordable when you consider the fact that no remodeling is necessary. Remodeling is often required for vented fireplaces as you’ll need to use a flue.
Disadvantages Of Vent Free Fireplace
As expected, there’ll be a few downsides associated with ventless fireplace use. However, these are manageable as long as they don’t overwhelm or surpass the benefits.
Such downsides include the likelihood of experiencing humidity issues, which may not be permissible for your location and could still produce fumes.
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Could Result in Humidity Issues
Minor humidity issues could arise as gas combustion occurs. This is because gas burning will normally create some water vapor. With nowhere to go, could end up making your room fill humid.
This is even more common when ventless fireplaces have been used for extended periods of time within a day.
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May Not Be Permissible for Your Location
There are local codes that must be adhered to when installing ventless fireplaces.
However, these will vary from one location to another. While certain areas will support the installation of ventless fireplaces, others may sanction you for non-compliance with building codes.
As such, you’ll need to know what’s obtainable in your location and stick to it. That way, you won’t have to run foul of the law.
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Could Still Produce Fumes
We earlier stated that ventless fireplaces are known for their clean combustion.
However, that doesn’t mean they won’t produce fumes. These are fewer fumes compared to vented fireplaces but the reality is that they’re being released into your home.
Ventless Fireplace Maintenance
Although ventless fireplaces require fewer maintenance actions, such actions must be carried out to keep the fireplace in good condition.
First, you’ll need to ensure safety measures are adhered to. These safety measures are mostly similar to those for vented fireplaces.
They include keeping a functioning fire extinguisher close by for safety purposes.
Of course, you’ll need to know how to operate one. Others include avoiding direct contact with hot areas, positioning the log set correctly is necessary. These log sets must also be frequently cleaned.
Key safety requirements for ventless fireplaces include oxygen and carbon monoxide sensors. These help to detect oxygen drop as well as carbon monoxide presence.
Maintenance helps these components to function effectively, thus improving overall safety.
Unusual noises within your ventless fireplace may be symptoms of trouble. Consider switching off your unit and consulting a professional to have it checked.
Ventless fireplaces have been under discussion. Here, we’ve focused on several aspects of its operation. As opposed to vented fireplaces, this fireplace type has fewer demands in terms of maintenance.
Nevertheless, it still needs to be kept at optimum performance levels.
The only way to do this is by doing the needful; maintenance. It’s important to have your ventless fireplace checked and serviced by a professional.