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Are direct vent fireplaces worth it?
Direct vent gas inserts are also beneficial for those who want a more realistic-looking flame. Direct vent gas inserts don’t need to burn so hot because the temperature is controlled. Ultimately, both direct vent and vent-free gas fireplaces have benefits that make them worth the investment.
What is the difference between vent-free and direct vent fireplaces?
The two main types of gas fireplaces available today are Direct Vent and Ventless. Direct Vent fireplaces require a venting system while Ventless fireplaces are just that – completely vent-free.
Do direct vent fireplaces need a chimney?
Direct vent is by far the most common venting method and is the newest form of venting, invented by the founders of Heat & Glo in the 1980s. It remains a popular choice because of its efficiency, safety, flexibility and the fact that it does not require an existing chimney.
How does a direct vent fireplace vent?
Direct-vent fireplaces work by employing outside air rather than air inside the home for combustion. The air comes in through a double vent pipe’s outer chamber, while the inside chamber is used to send exhaust fumes outside the home. A loop is created as warm air leaves the pipe and dense, cooler air is brought in.
How do I know if my fireplace is direct vent?
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 does direct vent mean on a fireplace?
A direct vent fireplace uses outside air for combustion instead of the air from within your home. A direct vent fireplace has a completely sealed combustion chamber which allows it to vent directly out a side wall or through the ceiling of your home.
How long do direct vent fireplaces last?
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last? Generally speaking, you can get a good ten to fifteen years of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace.
Is direct vent or ventless better?
Direct vent gas inserts generally have a more realistic looking flame than a vent-free gas insert. For vent-free gas inserts to reduce the risk of emissions being transmitted into the home, the burn temperature of the fire needs to be higher. So, this higher temperature produces a less realistic, sometimes blue flame.
Does a direct vent fireplace give off heat?
Direct-vent fireplace units are generally more efficient than traditional gas fireplaces or wood-burning fireplaces. They use natural gas or propane, but most of it is converted into heat and it sealed off by the glass barrier to keep heat inside the home.
Can you burn wood in a direct vent fireplace?
Direct Vent Fireplaces can be vented horizontally through an outside wall or vertically through the roof and will minimize heat loss through the chimney. Direct Vent Fireplaces simulate a true wood burning fire with realistic ceramic or refractory logs, a glowing ember bed, and vibrant dancing flames.
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.
Why does my direct vent fireplace smell?
Air quality issues are the most common cause of strong gas fireplace odors. Allow some time for the room odors to clear out. If you still smell gas, there may be a small leak somewhere in your system. A leak is a more serious problem that should be addressed immediately by a qualified professional.
How much does it cost to install a direct vent fireplace?
It typically costs between $3,500 to $7,500 to install a direct vent gas fireplace.
Can a direct vent fireplace be installed on an interior wall?
Power Venting makes it possible to install a gas fireplace almost anywhere in the home. Direct Vent gas fireplaces require outside air for combustion and exhaust – that’s why they are so often installed on outside walls of homes. But what if that perfect spot for a fireplace is on an interior wall? No problem!.
Do direct vent fireplaces have a damper?
What is this? Ventless gas fireplaces, which vent waste air back into a home, and direct vent gas fireplaces, which vent waste air directly outside of a home through a vent in an external wall, typically won’t be found with dampers.
Does direct vent gas fireplace need electricity?
In addition, all direct vent gas fireplaces are sealed, keeping emissions out, and are vented to the exterior of your home using the natural buoyancy of warm air (warm air rises), meaning no electricity is needed to operate your gas fireplace or gas fireplace insert safely.
Do all direct vent fireplaces have glass fronts?
Not if your fireplace was shipped with a glass panel on the front. Direct vent fireplaces are sealed combustion systems and need the glass on to function properly. The other type of gas fireplaces we sell, called B-vent fireplaces, come with fixed, not sealed, glass fronts.
What is direct vent pipe?
Direct Vent Pipe and Liners The direct vent pipe is designed with a larger pipe and a smaller pipe within your chimney. This enables fresh air to come in through one and then the exhaust goes out the other. A direct vent pipe and liner are also useful in keeping your fireplace cool and managed.
