Susan sent us an email: "Just bought a house and am thinking of installing a ventless gas fireplace, however, I've heard that they can produce a gas smell. Anyone have experience/tips to share?"
Susan, congrats on the home purchase. We have no experience with vent-less gas fireplaces but know of some concerns about the use of them which you might want to consider...
They are a controversial product, with safety concerns and banning involved. While we haven't read specifically about the issue you asked about (producing a gas smell), there is the fact there is combustion happening in the fireplace and all the byproducts of it are venting into the living space. We read that they more appropriately could be called a room-venting gas fireplace rather than vent-less.
Aside from the safety concern of excess carbon monoxide being released (keep the CO detector working well!), there is the real issue of increased humidity. The combustion produces water, which, with a vented fireplace, is released through the vent/flue. With a vent-less, it is entering your home. Possible resulting issues we read about range from the minor nuisance of fogged windows to the danger of mold growth. Finally, in general the question of risking the compromise of the indoor air quality of your home in any way comes into play. Knowing that any and all byproducts of the burning of this fuel are being added to the air you breathe is something to consider.
The image above is from a good post on vent-less gas safety from Treehugger, and two others we found on topic are from Ask the Builder and Wise Geek.
We're sure there is a wealth of information on the subject, and we hope readers can contribute their knowledge, thoughts and experience.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Damn! I can't remember the name of the store in River North, Mobili Moebili? or something like that. It's a Scandinavian design store. The have a ventless fireplace on display. It actually burns a type of alcohol that is stored in a little reservoir. No worries about fumes, etc. Around $1200.00 I think?
Personally, I would go with something like that or a real fireplace. The gas fireplaces are space eaters in my opinion.
view art's profile
I cannot remember where I read an extensive article about "ventless" fireplaces, but the bottom line was.....Don't do it. As I recall, low levels of carbon monoxide are still present and dangerous. Google it.
view Kurt's profile
always good to keep a carbon monoxide detector near any gas appliance.
view art's profile
I have one in my house. When we renovated, we had room for a FP but installing a chimney/vent was way out of the budget. So I did a BUNCH of research on ventless FPs. All of the comments above reflect what I found, but decided to go ahead for two reasons: 1) that it puts water into the air--in the winter, in my house, a little moisture would actually be helpful! and 2) that in a very well sealed house the CO2 would be a problem--but I live in one of those really- old-NOT-airtight-at-all houses in DC.
That said, I wish we would have skipped it. The fact is we hardly use it for the main question you are asking--smells like gas. Yuck. Really. Sometimes when it is really freezing I turn it on, but just for a bit, to help warm up the room. I'm saving up to replace it with some kind of vented system.
view MCinDC's profile
If you like the look of a fireplace as a centerpiece in a room, but are not keen on the real heat factor, I have a suggestion. What about buying a fireplace surround with mantle etc... Then either get a series of tall and short candles on plates or a tray OR a candelabra with multiple candles at various heights to set in place of the "wood" area. Place a mirror behind it and you have a lovely lit room.
view Cate's profile
It's probably waaaay too late to post a comment about this, but... here goes: A house inspector who writes a regular column for the Nashville weekly paper said ventless fireplaces are not a good idea. "They are ROOM-VENTED and LUNG-FILTERED." I'll never forget that quote, and it totally curbs my desire for another gas fireplace, although I find some of them very charming.
view nashvegas's profile
late, late comment but just couldn't resist. such a great product being dismissed. if your ventless fp smells of gas something is wrong with it. i had my mid-Atlantic home built and have 2 ventless fireplaces; one in the living room and one in the kitchen sitting area. there is never a "gas" smell. as far as breathing, the instructions clearly state that one window should be slightly open (just 1/2 inch) when in use. over the past 12 years, we have stayed very cozy during ice storms & other winter power outages & have even taken in neighbors who would have been in sad shape if left in their own cold, cold homes. as far as humidity, huh? ppl pay big bucks for humidifiers for winter use but the tiny bit from fp caused a problem? so, buy a quality product, get expert installation, then read the instructions & use it properly. hmmm ... . same goes for all your household products, no? we even had the gas company out to check after the installation to guarantee the safety. all that & your Co2 detector and quit worrying & enjoy an excellent product. no, i don't sell them, ha ha! i just get tired of mass "fear of everything".
view gini555's profile