Vented or ventless


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Old 08-06-19, 06:14 AM
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Vented or ventless

We are getting ready to put in Gas logs. We have a Working chimney but I would need to close it off at the Damper opening if we went ventless. Which would be the better route to go, Vented or vent free?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 08:33 AM
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How do you define "better"?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 09:05 AM
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Burning gas puts a lot of moisture in the air, I would not go vent less if I had the option!
 
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Old 08-06-19, 09:13 AM
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We are not planning to use them as A primary source. They would mainly be backup. So as in better what would be better for that use?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 10:08 AM
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Ventless is most efficient as 100% of the heat goes into the room. Vented are about 50-85% efficient so about a quarter + of your gas bill will go up the flue. Ventless do put water vapor into the air so that can be a benefit in winter for most but can be an issue if the logs are used a lot in a very well sealed home. Ventless can also have smells sometimes. Any gasses, perfumes or scents from cleaning products or dust in the house can get into flame which when burned can have a smell.
 
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Old 08-06-19, 11:19 AM
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So which do you actually prefer Pilot Dane?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 12:00 PM
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@PilotDane is correct and gave a great comparison of vented vs ventless.. Myself, I would never install any ventless fuel burning device due to the potential health risk. The ventless are supposed to be safe when they are working correctly. If they screw up and do not fail safely you or your family may not be safe. my 2 cents
 
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Old 08-06-19, 12:07 PM
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Steamboy That's why we are leaning more toward the vented. I have heart issues and don't wont to add to it! Carbon monoxide and moisture have always been in back of my mind when thinking about Gas Logs. Our Chimney also is missing the Damper so it stays open all the Time so that means if ventless was put in it would have to be closed off where as Vented it could stay open. I could install some glass doors or something at the front.
 
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Old 08-06-19, 12:24 PM
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Also Do I need my Chimney cleaned out to use Vented gas logs or is it just the carbon monoxide that's going up the flue?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 01:22 PM
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If that chimney was for wood burning it is probably too large for a gas fireplace. Not a pro but would expect instructions to include a smaller liner to prevent condensation. Is your chimney an inside or outside chimney?

Is that chimney used for anything else?

I would not go ventless and I would check the mfg requirements for the chimney. Also check local codes and inspection requirements, they vary by location.

Bud
 
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Old 08-06-19, 01:48 PM
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I took a wood stove insert out of it. The chimney goes up the backside of house (outside). It is not used for anything else. It has the cap that sits up on top that has the Screen around it to keep birds and such out.
 
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Old 08-06-19, 01:51 PM
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Also this house we bought about 3 months ago. It was built in the 70s but has been remodeled.
 
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Old 08-06-19, 02:37 PM
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I'm a retired energy auditor so have run into this discussion often. Basically installing a gas appliance where a wood burning appliance was leaves you with an orphaned chimney. In your case it only had one appliance before but is not going to handle a much lower volume gas appliance. What happens is the exhaust moves slowly through the larger chimney and cools resulting in condensation and gas fumes will have a chemical content. Being on an outside wall makes this cooling worse.

I can't guarantee you will have a problem and I don't want to scare you back into an unvented stove but best to know in advance. Installing a chimney liner would be best.

Sounds like you will be doing the installation and just want to mention. My recent inspection from my insurance company asked who installed my wood stove and who inspected it. Me and me and they weren't happy. I had to remove my wood stove to avoid the conflict.

Bud
 
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Old 08-06-19, 03:05 PM
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No I'm not saying I will be doing the installation, I may very well let the ones I buy from do the installing. All I would be doing is running line from the tank through chimney which is maybe 5'

How do I know if Chimney is too big?

Also everything I've researched so far actually says you can put "Vented" logs in Any fireplace caple of burning wood
 
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Old 08-06-19, 03:48 PM
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Check the mfg's installation instructions for guidance on chimney required.

This link looks like a good reference related to a gas fireplace.
https://www.csia.org/gas_fireplace.html

Bud
 
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Old 08-06-19, 03:59 PM
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Thanks for all the Info, I'm just gonna have to figure out what to put in. I really wanted to keep the wood fireplace but due to health I can't do all that's involved in wood burning. So its gonna have to be Gas one or the other.
 
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Old 08-06-19, 04:08 PM
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Bud9051 when you say chimney size you referring to the dimensions of the actual firebox for the logs right?
 
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Old 08-06-19, 05:11 PM
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No, I'm referring to the size of the chimney flue, its diameter. A smaller diameter moves the air faster so it has less time to cool off.

Not sure where you are but here in Maine wood pellet stoves are popular, a lot less hassle dealing with bags of pellets and they are well sealed so virtually no smoke in the house. Just FYI.

Bud
 
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Old 08-06-19, 05:54 PM
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I'm in South Carolina, we do have winter but harsh winters are few and far between. For the price of a pellet insert, it just wouldn't be worth it for us because we wouldn't be using it much.

 
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Old 08-06-19, 06:13 PM
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Have a friend in Easley so somewhat familiar with your climate.

Add a quality CO detector for some extra protection.

Bud
 
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Old 08-06-19, 06:35 PM
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Wow small world, I'm only about 14mi from there I. Near lake Keowee.

And definitely a CO detector even if we go vented.
 
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Old 08-07-19, 07:45 AM
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Checked with insurance this morning and we good on their end. They said they actually prefer Gas over wood. So now we just need to figure out if we need to clean chimney out or not.
 
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Old 08-07-19, 08:00 AM
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I'm assuming it is a clay tile lined chimney? If just brick more concern. If you bring in an inspector be sure to keep their report for long term in case it is questioned at some point in the future. Also keep a copy of the reply from your insurance company.

We have a much colder climate here and really enjoy having an alternate heat source. Currently I rely on a generator to set up and power a few essential appliances, heat and refrigeration. But my wood stove will be coming back at some point with a modern chimney.

Enjoy
Bud
 
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Old 08-07-19, 09:24 AM
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Another question if we go vented which we probably will and with the damper missing would it be a good idea to install the doors on the front to keep cold air from entering the house when the logs are not in use?
 
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Old 08-07-19, 12:02 PM
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Doors probably don't seal air tight but better than without.

Bud
 
 

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