Fireplace FAQs
What is Direct Vent?
Is an appliance that draws combustion air from outdoors and exhausts its combustion products to the outdoors eliminating the need for a standard chimney system. A glass panel on the front of direct vent units is critical to keeping the combustion system sealed from the home, maintaining high efficiency and indoor air quality. A Direct Vent unit draws air through a pipe from outside the home, into a sealed firebox. Direct vents are more efficient than B-vents since they do not take any air out of your home.
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What is B-Vent?
A B-vent unit draws air from inside the home, through ports in the firebox itself. B vent units are generally less expensive to install, but are more sensitive to air flow inside the home (i.e.: in air tight homes other vented units such as range hoods, water heaters, and furnaces can create negative pressure pulling exhaust gases back through the b-vented appliance).
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What is Vent-Free or Vent Less?
A vent-free gas heating appliance operates without a chimney, flue or vent, so you can install one just about anywhere without making a hole in the wall or roof.
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What is ODS?
Oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) technology was adopted by all U.S. manufacturers for all vent-free gas products in the early 1980s. ODS technology originated in Europe, and has been used in European gas heating appliances for more than half a century with an outstanding record of safety. Industry engineers say the ODS pilot is to gas what a circuit breaker is to electricity.
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Why do most gas fireplaces have standing pilots?
Most gas fireplaces use a standing pilot ignition system, just like a gas water heater. This system operates with a pilot light so there is always a flame to ignite the gas. The pilot light also generates the power needed to operate the valve, so that if the pilot light gets blown out accidentally, the valve shuts off and the gas flow stops. The pilot light feature makes operation both easy and safe.
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Can I shut the pilot off in the summer?
It's not necessary, but not a bad idea from an energy savings standpoint. Just remember to relight it before you want to use the appliance for the first time in the fall.
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Do gas fireplaces and stoves and inserts require AC power to work?
All models do require AC power for the blower to work, but do not need AC power for the fire. So if there is a power outage you can still use your unit.
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How do I control my fireplace or stove?
There are several ways of controlling your gas insert, stove or fireplace. The standard method is with the on/off switch that comes standard with every unit. Another method is to have a remote control, which allows you to operate your unit from the comfort of your couch or lounge chair. The final method is to hook up your unit to a on & off wall switch, or thermostat and let it run itself according to the desired room temperature.
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How do I add a gas fireplace to my home?
If you already have a brick or stone fireplace, or a factory-built wood burning fireplace, and you want to convert it to gas, then the most efficient solution is an insert. If you are remodeling a part of your home that never had any kind of built-in structure, then you need a pre-fabricated fireplace that does not require an existing opening or chimney. You will need to cut two holes for the fireplace, one for the vent pipe and another for the gas pipe. However, you can install a Direct Vent fireplace directly against the wall, and then use a mantel cabinet to finish. Mantel cabinets are the easy solution to quick and economical installation needs.
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What is a BTU?
A BTU (British Thermal Unit) refers to the heating power of a gas appliance as measured by the amount of energy it produces in one hour. Technically, it is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Here's what you really need to know: On average, 10,000 BTU can heat up approximately 500 square feet, depending on floor plan, windows, ceiling height, how well insulated the room is, etc.
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How do I control the blower or fan?
The blower is controlled by a dial (located on the top left-hand, or right-hand side of the faceplate for inserts, on the control panel for stoves, and on fireplaces the controls are mounted on or under the bottom louvers) which turns the blower on and off and allows you to adjust its speed. In addition to the switch, the blower is usually hooked up to a thermostat, so that it only operates within a predetermined temperature range. The advantage is that the blower will never blow cool air, even if you leave it on after you turn off your unit. Once the fireplace, stove or insert cools down to a certain temperature, the thermostat will shut off the blower. Inversely the blower will not turn on till the unit warms up.
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Can I burn wood in my gas fireplace?
Gas models are engineered specifically to burn gas, and cannot be used to burn wood.
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What about Carbon monoxide?
All currently manufactured vented gas heaters are required by industry safety standards to have a safety shut-off device. This device helps protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning by shutting off an improperly vented heater.
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Can I use a Vent Free product anywhere?
Check your local and state building codes and fire ordinances to see if you can use an unvented space heater, if you consider purchasing one. They are not allowed to be used in some communities, dwellings, or certain rooms in the house.
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Can I use my Vent Free unit to heat my house?
As with any new appliance in the home, the consumer must be informed on how to use it properly. All major building codes categorize vent-free products as being for supplemental use and require that a primary source of heat (e.g. a furnace) be present in the home before installation of the vent-free product permit can be issued. It is clearly stated in the operating instructions of every vent-free appliance, as well as in informational materials distributed by manufacturers and the Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance, that vent-free gas products are only to be used for supplemental heating.
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How can I control the heat output of my unit?
Most gas units are equipped with a valve adjustment that allows you to turn down the heat output by up to 50%, providing you with a wide range of heat for a wide range of temperature conditions. You can also add a remote control, or wall mounted thermostat, and then just set the controls to the desired temperature.
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Can I change the way my fireplace looks?
You can usually change the way your fireplace, stove, or insert looks as long as it is a current model. Upgrades such as gold, brass, and pewter louvers, a bay window, interior set of brick panels, and much more are available from most manufacturers. The range of accessories makes it easy to change the look of your fireplace to match your new décor.
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Can I burn L.P. (Liquid Propane) in my Natural Gas fireplace?
You need to be sure the gas hearth appliance you have is set up for the type of gas fuel you intend to burn. Conversion kits are available which will allow a unit to be changed to match the proper fuel type. They can burn one or the other, but not both. Vent free units are not convertible.
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What type of unit should I use in my bedroom?
A direct vent virtually eliminates any chance of carbon monoxide coming into the room therefore its usually one of the best choices for a bedroom. There are some code jurisdictions that do allow a "vent free" style unit to be installed in a bedroom, but it must be below 10,000 BTU hr/gas input which usually results in poor flame aesthetics.
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What can I add to my fireplace to dress it up?
Many different finishes, including marble, brick and mantels can be installed to dress up the installation. Remote controls, wall thermostats, blowers and wall switches are just some of the most popular options.
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Who sets the standards?
The American National Standards Institute - known as ANSI - maintains a strict standard for vent-free gas heating appliances. The standard, called ANSI Z21.11.2, is updated constantly to provide for product safety and performance, based on the latest technology.
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How do I know that a gas product meets ANSI standards?
When shopping for your vent-free gas products, always be sure the models you are considering are certified as complying with the ANSI Z21.11.2 standard by a nationally recognized laboratory.
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