Using Ventless Gas Logs in Wood Burning Fireplace, with Damper Open?
Annapolitan (Zone 7A)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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uninstalling a ventless gas log
Comments (1)I would hire a contractor who installs gas logs, either the one who installed yours or another one. They should be able to make a house call and give you a free estimate. My guess is that removing or capping the gas line and opening the chimney by re-installing a damper that can be controlled instead of one that's fixed in the closed position should be not so difficult. But there may be other things that were done to your firebox that could be more difficult to reverse. Better get an expert to look it over. Then there's the question of what to do with the gas logs. I would junk them because I don't think that kind of system should ever be installed, and my conscience would not let me profit by selling it to anyone. But if you can use it in a patio on your back yard or other open space, that might be worth considering....See Moregetting started with gas logs for existing wood burning fireplace
Comments (6)First, DO NOT get a ventless system. Many building codes actually outlaw them. I think they all should because the build up of fumes can be dangerous. Therefore, the choice is between a VENTED gas log system and something called DIRECT VENT system. A vented system works pretty much like your present conventional wood burning fireplace. It will provide some heat, but most of the heat will go up the chimney. It is not an energy efficient system. A direct vent system is comprised of a sealed firebox equipped with 2 vents that go up the chimney -- one to exhaust the fumes and the other to bring in fresh air to feed the combustion. It is very energy efficient, and can give off some serious heat. Direct vent systems are costly and take close to a whole day to install, assuming you already have a gas line in place. You really should consider this option if you want more than just the pleasant appearance of a flame. One more consideration: Since direct vent system can get very hot, it's a good idea to get one with a remote thermostat. Otherwise you'll wind up turning the thing on and off over and over again. But if you live in a climate zone where a kit of heat is not the primary consideration, for instance in Florida, a vented gas log system would be a reasonable option. If a really DRAMATIC dancing flame is what you're looking for, I think the Eiklor brand is the gold standard. But it will use a LOT OF GAS, and most of the heat will go up the chimney. So you're almost literally burning money with that one. I'm partial to direct vent. We have one here in North Carolina, and we love it. Make sure you find someone with a good local reputation to do the installation. Otherwise you'll wind up with buyer's remorse....See MoreFireplace remodel - gas or wood burning?
Comments (19)We had an gas insert put into our main fireplace in the living room and we all LOVE it. It has a remote control with a timer and you can set the temperature as well. For example, set the temp for 68 and it will automatically come on and the house will be toasty warm when we get up. It has a blower to circulate the heat through the house but it so quiet, I really don't hear it. The blower can be turned off as well if we really don't want the heat but want the fire on just for "show." We loved it so much that we added another gas freestanding stove to our sunroom off the kitchen. That one has a thermostate on the wall to set the temp. Both have real "fire"-to me it doesn't look one bit different than our old "fire" but oh boy, what a world of difference. No work-nothing-push a button! we use them all the time and never even use the whole house heat anymore. Please go look at the stores before you decide because this was one of the best improvements we ever made! The things I hated about the "real" wood fireplace, getting the wood and having it in a buggy stack outside, hauling in pieces and the mess it made inside, "tending" the fire, sparks flying, cleaning the mess, worry of having it still burning if we had to leave the house and trying to put it out, and most of all, our pediatrician told us it was really bad for the babies. She said even the best of fireplaces contributed to indoor air pollution. Things I love about the new insert and freestanding stove-pushing the button! Being able to set the temp to come on automatically, being able to raise and lower the flame to change the look, the realistic looking embersm NO cleaning other than once a year the company comes in and cleans the glass and checks it out for a minimal cost. Just for your info, they really can get HOT, you don't want to underestimate the power just because it is an insert. Ours seems to be much more efficient than the real wood fire and I would not put it too close to my kitchen table!...See Moreventless gas logs vs vented
Comments (5)You might want to look up some info on the Rumford design fireplace, and its dimensions, since I think it is similar to yours. Rumford dimensions are designed to work effectively to heat a room, not like modern fireplaces that are focused on how it "looks" in a room. My point is - the fireplace may be fine to burn wood, even though fireplace guys think it looks like its too shallow. We also went through the vent vs. ventless debate, and decided to use ventless because we weren't sure if the chimney needed to be relined to use vented. We've had them installed for about two years, and they work well to heat the room. Bruce...See MoreBruce in Northern Virginia
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