What are Ventless Gas Fireplaces?
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Ventless gas fireplaces are controversial but potentially beneficial sources of heat for a single room. Since they do not require a flue, chimney, or external venting ducts, ventless gas fireplaces are much less expensive to install compared to traditional gas or wood fireplaces. Ventless gas fireplaces or heaters uses natural gas or propane as fuel and burns the gas with air from the room.
Some people install ventless gas fireplaces to add an alternate source of heat to thier homes, such as in a bedroom that gets especially chilly. Of course, the fireplace can also bring a cozy, decorative element to a corner, as they are available in many colors and styles. All you need is a line to deliver propane from a tank or natural gas from your city's supply, so these are gaining in popularity.
To choose from among the different types of ventless gas fireplaces, consider how you will primarily use it. Each has a rating to tell you how much energy they consume and how much heat, measured in BTUs, they provide. Pay closest attention to the BTUs, because this figure will determine how large the room must be for the fireplace to function properly. Do not install a high-output fireplace in a small room, thinking that you will receive more heat.
All kinds of combustion, whether gas or wood, requires the oxygen in air to create flames. Therefore, no fire could ever be truly "ventless," or it would extinguish itself. Ventless gas fireplaces are really using ductless or chimneyless technology, so they vent out into the room. That's why the volume of air in a room is very important. Ventless gas fireplaces may take the place of central heating if your electricity ever goes out, but most manufacturers recommend only using such a fireplace as a secondary source of heat.
Several states within the United States, as well as other countries, have completely outlawed ventless gas fireplaces because of health concerns. Canada, Massachusetts, and California don't allow people to install these types of heaters because of their potential to build up carbon monoxide, deplete oxygen, and lead to unconsciousness or even suffocation. Check with your local building code before purchasing one of these appliances.
A milder health hazard offers another disadvantage to this choice. Ventless gas fireplaces lead to an increase in the room's humidity. Burning gas or propane creates water vapor that can build up in a room and possibly lead to mold and mildew growth. If most forms of mold aren't truly dangerous, they will certainly increase allergies and could spoil fabric, photographs, and books.
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29
The terrible smell sometime experienced when using your vent free fireplace is from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) already in the air such as air fresheners. The plug in kind are the worst. Also candles off-gas even when not lit. The more fragrant they are, the more off-gassing. If bad smells or soot are a problem look for something in the home that is off-gassing VOCs. - anon63427
28
My husband seems to think that he can safely heat his garage with an old natural gas fireplace unvented. It is a B vent. He is not convinced by me that it is dangerous. Can someone please spell it out for me in plain English why he shouldn't do this? - anon63147
27
I have a propane fireplace and have used it in previous years as backup. With the price of propane I have decided to convert to natural gas but they tell me it is not possible. Can a propane log be converted to natural gas? - anon58540
26
I have a new set of Ventless logs. I can get the pilot light on, but they won't stay lit and burn, I talked to the guy who installed them two years ago, and he says they need to be cleaned with a shop vac? Any suggestions? - anon58131
25
I moved into a house recently. How do you tell if a gas fireplace is ventless or vented? My house has a chimney with a flue but the fireplace's burner doesn't have any silica around it and it shuts off after 10-15 minutes which makes me think it has an O2 sensor on it. I don't want to use it if it just vents out the chimney. I'd rather close the flue and use it for secondary heat if it's the ventless kind. - anon57711
24
I have just installed a ventless gas fireplace in my home. I assumed the flames would have been silent or close to it. It sounds like a whooshof air when it's running. Is that just normal, or am I getting too much gas? The gas line in my house is 1/2 inch and it is reduced to 1/4 before it gets to the fp. Are there any additional valves needed or is this a normal sound? I've seen plenty of vented gas fp's before but the flames are behind glass so I can't tell. - anon57113
23
Do you have to have a large propane tank in your backyard for the ventless propane fireplace or can you use a propane tank like you would use for your gas grill, for occasional use? I know they make adapter valves for the smaller tanks but is there enough pressure in the small tanks? - anon56077
22
@anon4597: This is common with propane based ventless fireplaces; especially if they aren't close to 99.9 percent efficiency. I would consider getting a new unit that uses natural gas or gel fuel; you might be able to get a new burner set to correct the issues. Always make sure your ventless fireplace is near or above 95 percent efficiency. - ssandecki
21
I have a DECA ventless natural gas fireplace. It starts right up but goes out in about ten minutes. If you leave the logs out it will burn for ever. What's wrong? - anon50957
20
I've sold and serviced vented and vent-free gas logs for nine years. Both have their place. In Alabama, we rarely have customers complain of odor. You should never smell gas. It's even rare to smell gas when lighting the pilot. When we do, some of the common causes we see are as follows: All new vent-free logs when first installed have to finish curing. Some manuals will say burn 4-10 hours. We tell customers, if possible, to open their damper, if they have one, or open windows or doors and burn on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. This is usually long enough to take care of that smell. Also, dust burnoff after they've sat all summer is common. Dusting as best you can usually helps but you still have some dust burnoff. If you experience sharp, stinging smells and headaches, we find that some people rearrange logs, which is a big no-no, or place lava rock or other items on the burner causing flame impingement. You should never see soot build-up on vent-free logs. I had one guy who had marshmallow dripping on the burner. Not a good idea. Another item with headaches could be something causing the pressure to be too high or too low. On propane units, the regulators on the tanks can cause this if they go bad. Other things we've seen that cause odors are candles on the mantel, painting/staining in the house, placing vent-free logs in a woodburning fireplace that wasn't cleaned. Old creosote that gets wet can make its way into the firebox and creates a horrible musty smell. I don't have all the answers but these are a few things i've noticed around this area. Hope it helps someone. - anon49736
19
I have a ventless propane fireplace in big open room in my basement, but there is such a bad odor when we try to use it. I have had three different professional people come in to check, and they say everything looks good and there's no problem. Can these be converted to vented?
- anon49155
18
Anyone with a ventless fireplace should have it cleaned annually by a service professional or learn to do it themselves. Maintenance can prevent soot build up and odors. I have been servicing ventless fireplace units for over ten years, and have my opinion that they are efficient, but definitely do have downsides. I tell people to keep them immaculately clean and free of dust and spider webs to prevent harmful byproducts. - anon48484
16
I have a 25,000 btu natural gas ventless fireplace heater in the basement. No soot or issues, but there is some odor if I don't clean it, so I clean the burner with a can of compressed air before fall start up and again in mid winter. I turned off the furnace humidifier because the fireplace adds water to the air. We use it for a couple of hours a day and if the power goes off. I crack two windows about half an inch on opposite sides of the house if the power goes off and the heater is used for more than a couple of hours. I have two CO monitors and neither has ever gone off. If you have a ventless fireplace that is sooting up your house something is really, really wrong. And I would never have one of these in my house without a CO monitor. - anon48002
15
I want to know the answer to the last post by anon4597. Our fireplace also has an odor. It smells like a bus drove through our living room. Does it just need to be serviced? Is it dangerous? - bcoleman
14
what can be done about window condensation caused by ventless gas fireplace? - anon23705
13
My landlord installed a ventless propane heater woodstove style. I would like to know if it can be vented? I have a lung disease and refuse to use it. - smurdock
12
There is a reason many states and Canada are outlawing these extremely dangerous fireplaces! If you read the instructions, it says to open a window before you light these "heaters". Not a great way to heat the house. They all should be banned. I work for a utility and have ran many tests for CO when these are running. Think about venting your furnace into your home. Please get a direct vent insert/ freestanding fireplace. They are a real heater, and no one will be poisoned, or possibly die. - anon21013
11
I have enjoyed ventless gas heaters for a number of years, but I now have a severe soot problem. It has affected almost every room in my house There is no question as to what is the problem, but I don't know how to fix it. I've cleaned the burner holes and the hole just before the nozzle, but I really didn't see a reason for the soot. I'm sure that someone has the right combination to cure this. - tjthompson
7
I’m only seeing info on propane ventless fire places but what about the ventless fire place that uses fire Gel and can be moved from room to room, home to home. They say their no maintenance no ash no mess “A portable gel fireplace is the safest ventless fireplace option available. Even when compared to a conventional wood burning or gas fireplace, a gel fireplace still comes out on top when it comes to safety. Wood burning fireplaces have hot embers popping out through the screen or floating up the chimney, and if your chimney becomes clogged a wood burning or gas fireplace can be extremely hazardous. Gas log fireplaces, whether vented or ventless, can accumulate deposits and clog the gas jets, causing it to fail to burn properly. Gas line fittings can come loose and leak harmful natural gas or propane into your home. All conventional fireplaces require annual service or repair in order to function safely. Gel fireplaces need no servicing. Their safety and longevity remains steadfast for as long as you own it. A gel fireplace is safer in your home than burning a candle!” - anon10108
6
I am interested in buying a house that has vent-less gas logs in its great room. One of the other homeowners had their gas logs on and their mantle got very hot, so hot they could not touch it. What could have caused this? - pkannon
5
Soot and smoke has been caused by my "ventless propane stove." My ceiling and walls are covered with a black film. Also the top of the stove is turning black. - anon7795
4
Soot and smoke has been caused by my "ventless fire place." My kitchen cabinets inside and out and dishes are covered with a black film. Also the front of the fireplace is turning black. - anon7078
3
Soot as well as bad air has been caused by my "ventless fire place." Whats up with that? We stopped using them and this house has 6 of them. They really are NOT safe!! - anon6692
2
have enjoyed ventless gas logs in my fireplace for about fifteen years now.they keep my down living area of 1700 sq feet quite comfortable and yes they are great but mine are installed in a regular masonry wood burn fireplace and yes i always leave the damper slightly open and this vents the air just enough that i do not lose excessive heat up the chimney and this also prevents mold or condensate from collecting around my window sills, most definitely would have window sill mold and condensation issues without keeping that damper vent open one notch. when used in this manner i give them two thumbs up but from my personal experience operating in this manner is the only way i would consider their use regarding personal health and safety.
- anon4802
1
I have a ventless propane fireplace in my living area, roughly 30ft by 36ft with 18 ft vaulted ceilings. The problem I have when I use my fireplace is that is has an odor that is similar to the old oil burning furnaces, very rank. Do you know of a cause of this or a fix for it? - anon4597
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Written by
S. Mithra
Last Modified: 01 February 2010
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