got a friend that was asking me about installing gas logs in an existing fire place. I’ve never done it, so what do you guys know?…
Do you have to have any additonal venting, or does the regular chimney work fine?
I’ve heard of ventless gas logs, but do you still need a source of fresh air comming into the house? If so, does that mean just cracking a window each time you use the fireplace or does it need to be something more substaincial or automatic?
Thanks
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Replies
Following the manufacturer's instrucdtions, ESPECIALLY regarding log placement.
Imporperly positioned logs can create huge amounts of Carbon Monoxide.
As an NCI certified Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Analyst, I wouldn't put "ventless" logs in my house.
They are vented: you are just choosing to live in a house turned into a chimney
I looked into a bunch of options.
If you really want something correct, look at the Valor sealed units. You still have to have a special vent, but it can go up the chimney or out the back.
Yes, there are other things out there. But do you really want even more open combustion in the house?
Let me start by saying that I am baised - an engineer and I have a non-vented fireplace here on MA (where it is permitted and like everything else highly regulated). You need to have a top quality CO and methane detector but for casual use it is the best investment we made.
I wanted to get something that we ccould use in our busy life. Wood fires just didn't cut it - having to keep the damper open while the fire died out wasted any additional energy that the fire provided.
I originally wanted vented gas logs but was told that to install a vented system - they needed to tack the vent open - So IN OTHER WORDS (at least with those installed in MA), there is a direct chimney all the time - and the days of a damper are gone. I can not understand WHY anyone would get one of these. Just a big energy waste.
However, the non-vented on in an older house that isn't that tight has worked fine - have run for 10+ hours - would certainly not keep on continously but has been the best investment my wife and I have made recently - Has really made the house AND visitors much more comfortable - especially when we will be turning down the thermostat this year- will provide a warm glow - not a continous draft.
Just my 2cents