Are you seeking to get delight from fiery log pragmatism, as well as fully efficient, 100% heat generation? Then answer lies in vent-free gas logs. If your objective is to reinstate your wood fire, bring in some monitored space heating and provide a emergency backup heat source option to make your home warm (of course, they can also work during power failures), then ventless gas fireplace logs may be your ultimate solution! So, here comes the wonder of modern state-of-the-art technology-vent-free gas logs. Vent-free gas logs have become exceptionally trendy in the past three years and their sales in numbers are rapidly catching up with the sales of vented logs.
It was indeed a great breakthrough in the evolution process of gas logs, when few genius engineers laboriously researched to produce a yellow flame in isolated environment with these sets, without compromising a clean burn. Thus they came up with a new technology which involves specifically designed burning elements that emit much reduced amount of carbon monoxide in air. As the name suggest, they are "Vent-free". That means, they don't require a chimney and hence the amount of heat produced is circulated within the confined place of your home.
Advantages
Just what are the advantages of using vent-free gas logs, instead of vented ones?
Easy installation
Since the mechanism does not involve the installation of chimney, installation of ventless gas fireplace logs is a very easy, smooth process and they can be installed almost anywhere.
Inexpensive Nature
Gone are the days, when you were required to collect the logs of costly firewood. Vent-free gas logs come with their own sets of gas logs which cut down the costs significantly.
100% Energy Efficiency
As, vent-free gas logs don't require a chimney anymore, it ultimately becomes highly energy efficient. In other types of gas logs, which involve chimney as their venting source, almost 80% to 90% heat escapes through chimney, which is prevented in these systems.
Clean Flame
Because of the specific burner elements present in the system, this system produced much more controlled burning compared to their other counter parts. This controlled burning helps in producing clean, yellow flame causing complete burning of the gas logs.
Reduced Pollution
Due to the controlled burning, very less amount of carbon monoxide is released in the air, which is the by-product of the combustion process. Reduced amount of carbon monoxide release means reduced pollution. Moreover, ventless gas log certified by the American Gas Association (AGA) come with Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS). These sensors can trace and identify the level of oxygen present in the room. If in case, the oxygen level in the room gets depleted beyond the marked level, then these sensors cut off the gas supply to the logs resulting in standstill of the system. Again if these sensors become defective due to any reasons, the system automatically switches over to safe mode where it cuts off the gas supply.
No Ashes or Sparks
Unlike their previous counterparts, there is a complete absence of any dirty ashes or dangerous flash and sparkles, thanks to the presence of spark screen.
Control Options
It gives you the facility of instantly switch heat on and off. You can control the system by both ways- manual or remote. There is no more creosote buildup (which is a thick yellow to brownish oily substance derived from wood tar or possibility of chimney fires).
Disadvantages
Now that we have reviewed the pros of using vent-free gas logs, let me also highlight some of the associated cons. Huge amount of water vapor is produced by vent-free gas logs. It is estimated that approximately 1.5 gallons of water is produced for every 100,000 Btus of gas burned. As these systems burn around 30,000 Btus per hour, you can imagine that it takes them only 3 ? hours to produce such amount of water. In case of vent-free gas logs, these vapors can condense on windows and other cold surfaces present in the room which can create severe moisture problems. Hence, these products come with directions for leaving a window slightly open during use.
These systems are not permitted to be used in bedrooms or bathrooms. Some people consider them not as attractive as their counterparts, as they can't get an amber effect, since they can't cover the system. Of course, much has been changed since, as they also started displaying the sought after aesthetic appeal. Vent-free gas logs don't allow any addition or repositioning of logs, as is possible with their other counterparts.
Certain states like California, Alaska, New York, Utah, Massachusetts, Colorado, Montana, and Minnesota still prohibit the use of ventless gas fireplace Logs. Few municipalities in other states may also prohibit their use. So, it is your responsibility to check with your local building department, prior to purchasing your set. Check for the AGA (American Gas Association) seal on the product. Ensure that manufacturer's instructions are followed at the time of installation. In summary, there can be nothing comparable to a ventless gas fireplace, installed at home during the chilly winter. It provides the best option and most economical way of heating, to keep your home warm!
