Ventless Gas Fireplace Safety Concerns

We all enjoy sitting around the fireplace and enjoying the warmth of a nice roaring fire. However, many people live in homes that do not have fireplaces nor do they have the money to take on a major remodeling job. Constructing a fireplace is just that. The adding of a fireplace in existing construction is extremely costly and often times quite a challenge to locate in the room that you desire. Now there is a cost effective solution. The ventless gas fireplace is now available and has become a very popular option for homeowners that find themselves in the exact situation we just described.

These modern ventless gas fireplace units are great to supplement the heat in a room that you just can't seem to keep warm. Since they are fueled by natural or propane gas and use no electricity they also provide a great source of back up heat in the case of a power outage. But these benefits do not come without some safety concerns.

First of all, since these units are not vented to the outdoors, they emit any unburned gases and carbon monoxide back into the room. As the air is recirculated back into the room, it stands to reason that the mixing of these gases, no matter how small, has to reduce the percentage of oxygen in the room air. Even though studies show that non-vented gas devices meet or exceed present day federally mandated standards and guidelines for inside air quality, there is still some question as to the long-term effects of exposure to these low level emissions.

Another issue with a ventless gas fireplace is what effect the water vapor produced by these units has on the air quality. As with any gas burning appliance, moisture is a by product of the combustion of natural or propane gas. With a vented gas appliance, this water vapor is carried out the chimney or flue pipe and is dispersed into the outside atmosphere. But with a non-vented device, the moisture is vented back into the home and mixed with the room air. For this reason, the manufacturers recommend that the use of these units be stopped after 4 to 7 hours to decrease the chance of causing mold or mildew issues.

One other concern is the maintenance of one of these ventless devices. In order to operate properly, these units must operate at peak efficiency. You must remember that gas appliances will eventually fail due to prolonged use, fatigue from the heat, corrosion, and expansion and contraction. They must be inspected, cleaned and checked on at least a yearly basis by a qualified heating professional such as the ones at Atlanta Plumbing or Atlanta Heating and Air.

The ventless gas fireplace is a wonderful development and helps to overcome some problems homeowners have when attempting to compromise on the installation of a fireplace. However, if you choose to install one of these units, just remember that there are still some safety issues that only time will tell if they will produce any long-term effects on our health. Also insure that your non-vented appliance is always kept in perfect condition and peak working order.