Direct Vent Fireplaces

You don’t need a traditional fireplace when there are direct vent fireplaces. These are units that run on gas instead of wood. They can however be made to look like traditional fireplaces but with modern accessories such as fire logs and remote controls.

There are a couple of good reasons why you should go for a fireplace with a vent. One top reason is that they are fueled by gas. This means you never have to chop firewood, start a fire by hand and manually adjust wood to get the right temperature. Moreover you never have to clean ashes and as much soot again. Even without wood however, these modern units generate fire that looks and feels much like the kind produced by traditional units. Vented fireplaces are therefore convenient, appealing, easy to use and are low maintenance.

Fireplaces with direct vents are different from top vented ones. Those with top vents are sometimes traditionally constructed units with gas sources inserted at the bottom. The chimney and top vent are used in much the same way as they would be with a wood burning fireplace. Direct vents are different because they are installed directly behind or a little above the firebox. This feature makes fireplaces with this type of venting perfect for homes without existing fireplaces. A direct vent draws out potentially harmful emissions and releases it outside.

Some point out however that a direct vent unit has a disadvantage. Its major downside is that it is not as energy and cost efficient as unvented fireplaces. Because a vent exists, heat is also lost during the process of heat generation. This means more gas needs to be burned to produce warmth. Despite this disadvantage though, some homeowners have little choice but to opt for it. This is because some states prohibit the use of unvented types.

Like traditional and unvented units, direct vent fireplaces have to be installed and used sensibly and carefully. Safety precautions should always be your top concern. From the very beginning, you should only consult with experts if you wish to install a vented fireplace. This is because some remodeling and construction work is required. You would want to be sure that installation follows proper building codes.

As a general rule, it would also be wise to have fully functional gas and smoke detectors. Although vented units are quite safe to use, you will never know when malfunctions can happen. It is best to have an early warning device to let you know if you need to evacuate the house and call for help.

Common sense should also tell you not to leave gas fires unattended. Do not leave them on for long periods of time and don’t sleep while a fire is on. Moreover, never leave kids and combustible materials near a fireplace.

Direct vent fireplaces can definitely give you the feel and look of traditional fireplaces. You would however have to find out from your installer first if a direct vent is the most applicable unit for your home.