Posted: 8/9/2017 5:07:47 PM EDT
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Daughter and her husband are remodeling a house built in 1928 and are installing a ventless fireplace fueled by natural gas. I have some anxiety regarding carbon monoxide. They will be installing ventless fireplace logs with some type of detection sensor on them that will turn off the fire when the oxygen level is too low.
In read that carbon monoxide is lighter that regular air and will rise. Kids bedrooms are upstairs and I am afraid they could become a victim. What is your experience? |
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They are not legal in California, Massachusetts, or Canada.
I'm a mechanical contractor who has been installing natural gas for the last 29 years. I have no issues with conventional gas fireplaces but I wouldn't touch a ventless unit. I am not putting my life in the hands of a CO detector. I am also certified to calibrate gas detectors and I still won't trust my life to them. |
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Had one in the house we bought (this one) and it had problems with bad thermocouple. So since it was cheaper (when you can buy it cheaper) and we also decided to move it. We replaced with a direct vent and put it in the corner.
I never liked a vent free due to the fact that when something burns the residue has to go somewhere and too many stories of people dying of carbon monoxide (all though I know of no one for a vent free fireplace) from other fire devices that are not vented. |
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Quoted:
They will be installing ventless fireplace logs with some type of detection sensor on them that will turn off the fire when the oxygen level is too low. I've installed unvented gas logs in 3 different relatives' homes - and they all love 'em. In each case, I shoved several feet of fiberglass insulation up the old chimney before closing the damper. They're super-efficient, because none of the combustion heat escapes outside. The moisture they produce is an advantage - Keeps the humidity high enough to prevent dry skin, cracked lips, nosebleeds, etc. |
| I have a ventless fireplace in my home. I replaced a ventless wall heater with a ventless corner fireplace. My home is about 30 years old and isn't as tight as a new construction. It puts out a ton of heat for the size and doesn't require electricity so it is a backup to a pellet stove and forced hot air furnace. I have several CO detectors in the home and I don't use it through the night. I haven't had moisture issues, but they do put off a fair amount of water. If you have a tight, new home, you may want to go vented. |
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Our main fireplace is real, but we have a ventless LP gas one in the bedroom...We NEVER have it on except in winter to warm room before bed. It works great for that though. Too much risk of CO poisoning.
I would not want to stay in a house heated by a ventless fireplace, although years ago, many folks used gas space heaters. But back then, house's were a lot less sealed up! |
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Quoted:
They are not legal in California, Massachusetts, or Canada. I'm a mechanical contractor who has been installing natural gas for the last 29 years. I have no issues with conventional gas fireplaces but I wouldn't touch a ventless unit. I am not putting my life in the hands of a CO detector. I am also certified to calibrate gas detectors and I still won't trust my life to them. Listen to this guy. |