Vented vs non vented gas fireplace.

[Schwartzint1]

Not exactly in my garage.... But installed in the original, wood burning, fireplace of the house. We have been here over a year. Used it a few times, but always opened the chimney up to vent it. In the winter you can actually feel the heat from the house heading right up the chimney. Curious if there is any way to tell if it is ventless or not. No markings or labels anywhere. Here is the pilot and gas.

 

[Dirtydan69]

If it's attached to a chimney it most likely is a vented model. For gas only fireplaces the damper should be fixed at 10% open. They make a clamp that attaches to the damper that creates a stop point and only allows the damper to close 90%

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I can't tell from looking at those pictures. If you see any yellow flame when it's burning, then it is definitely a vented model. The ventless have to burn all blue, which is an indication of complete combustion.

That being said...without a model number and a google search and a CO alarm, I would definitely not burn them without the flue open.

And...I'd get a vacuum cleaner and **** out all those spider webs.


Phil

 

[Schwartzint1]

Thanks for the quick response. I think I'm going to swap it out for a ventless one. Just didn't want to do it, if I already had one lol. Sorry don't go in dungeon to often. The spiders have deemed it a nice place to live. Shop vac should take care of that

 

[Ironhorse74]

You do realize they are not vent free they are room vented. Here is a good read on the subject.


https://chimneysweeponline.com/hovntlss.htm

 

[Schwartzint1]

Yes I do. They are commonly referred to as ventless. That's why I use that term. I have looked at and speced out a direct vent system as well. I just can't justify $5k for something I would use 2-4 times a week in the winter months.

 

[astroracer]

I put a ventless gas fireplace in the entryway when I put the garage addition on the house. We always crack a window an inch or so when it is running. Never had a an issue with it. We also have CO2 detectors just in case.
Mark

 

[Schwartzint1]

I was thinking a chimney damper would do the trick.