Vented Gas Fireplace Provides Safe Warmth

The vented gas fireplace differs from its' ventless cousin in that it needs a connection to the outdoors so that the dangerous exhaust fumes are disposed of. Upon initial inspection this may seem like it is inconvenient, and maybe it is, but it needs to be considered when you are first installing the heater in your home. If you don't have a working chimney then the installation process for the vented fireplace will be more difficult. However, once you have it correctly installed it will have some distinct advantages over a ventless type.

One neat feature of a vented gas fireplace is that it can burn at a much lower temperature than other fireplaces. Most of these types of heaters are built so that they yield what are called "real" flames, or softer and yellower ones like the ones you see when wood is burned. The ventless fireplace will actually dispose of the carbon monoxide by burning hotter, so their flames are typically blue and don't look as real. For the realistic factor, many people will select a vented gas unit instead of going with a ventless one.

A more attractive fire should not be the only reason to choose a vented fireplace over a ventless model. Few can argue that heaters with vents are safer than those without. Ventless gas heaters deal with the carbon monoxide leftovers by burning it off at a higher temperature. This supposedly eliminates all but a tiny amount of the dangerous gas. Before it can build up to unacceptable levels in the room, sensors inside the unit will shut it off until the carbon monoxide has dissipated completely. Sensors can, however, fail allowing the buildup to become too rapid. In this case the carbon monoxide may not diffuse properly. The vented gas fireplace avoids all of these problems by using the heater's own natural abilities to move the carbon monoxide completely out of the house.

All in all, a vented gas fireplace may be a more difficult install, but the majority of people agree that the extra aesthetic value and additional safety is well worth it in the end.