October is here, the season is changing, and it's time to think about the upcoming cold weather. Since Total Home Supply is known for having the answers to our customers questions, we are now getting a lot of queries about home heating.
Vented Vs. Vent Free: Gas fireplace logs are manufactured in two varieties: Vented and Vent Free. Vented Gas Logs need to be used in a fireplace designed to burn wood. These logs, as the name states, must be vented to the outside air. The flame is generally higher and more realistic than vent free logs, however they do not distribute heat as well as vent free logs. The reason for the higher flame is they burn more BTUs of gas. Unfortunately, because they must be used with the damper opened, most of that heat goes up the chimney.
Vent Free Gas Logs can also be used in a regular chimney, or they can be used in a vent-free firebox which does not vent to a chimney. Vent free logs use less fuel than vented, and the heat is dispersed throughout the room more efficiently because if the fireplace has a damper, it is closed. And if a firebox is used, there is no damper. Vent free gas logs are generally 99.9% efficient, with all that heat radiating through the space, not up the chimney. For all the pros of vent free gas logs, there are also a few cons. One of the by-products of burning gas cleanly is water, so you will be adding humidity into your home. To replace some of the oxygen the burning gas is removing from the air, it is recommended you periodically open a window to vent some oxygen into the house. This also helps to eliminate the odor emitted from the burning fuel. The minimum clearances to combustibles differs in vent free gas logs to either wood or vented logs. You should check the User’s Manual before installation to be sure the placement of your stove or fireplace is adequate. Vent free systems include Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS) to automatically turn off the heater if the oxygen level in the room decreases to an unsafe level. Vent free systems are designed to provide supplemental heat and should not be used as a primary heat source.
Replacing Gas Logs: If you have an existing gas fireplace and need to replace the logs, there are some things to consider. Generally you cannot change the manufacturer of the existing logs. The reason for this being the burner and the logs are designed as a unit. Different logs sets are made for specific burner types. Using logs that are not designed for the burner can make it overheat, produce soot or create a hazardous carbon monoxide situation. Even within a specific manufacturer, not all logs can be interchanged. You must only use logs that are rated acceptable with the burner currently installed.
Vent Free Gas Logs can also be used in a regular chimney, or they can be used in a vent-free firebox which does not vent to a chimney. Vent free logs use less fuel than vented, and the heat is dispersed throughout the room more efficiently because if the fireplace has a damper, it is closed. And if a firebox is used, there is no damper. Vent free gas logs are generally 99.9% efficient, with all that heat radiating through the space, not up the chimney. For all the pros of vent free gas logs, there are also a few cons. One of the by-products of burning gas cleanly is water, so you will be adding humidity into your home. To replace some of the oxygen the burning gas is removing from the air, it is recommended you periodically open a window to vent some oxygen into the house. This also helps to eliminate the odor emitted from the burning fuel. The minimum clearances to combustibles differs in vent free gas logs to either wood or vented logs. You should check the User’s Manual before installation to be sure the placement of your stove or fireplace is adequate. Vent free systems include Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS) to automatically turn off the heater if the oxygen level in the room decreases to an unsafe level. Vent free systems are designed to provide supplemental heat and should not be used as a primary heat source.
Replacing Gas Logs: If you have an existing gas fireplace and need to replace the logs, there are some things to consider. Generally you cannot change the manufacturer of the existing logs. The reason for this being the burner and the logs are designed as a unit. Different logs sets are made for specific burner types. Using logs that are not designed for the burner can make it overheat, produce soot or create a hazardous carbon monoxide situation. Even within a specific manufacturer, not all logs can be interchanged. You must only use logs that are rated acceptable with the burner currently installed.
Next Discussion: Types of burners and the differences in the materials used in creating gas logs.
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