A ventless gas fireplace is an affordable and healthier alternative to traditional vented fireplaces or wood burning stoves. The most affordable method of adding a ventless fireplace to your home is by selecting a gel-based unit as it requires zero plumbing. The unit functions using a gel fuel that’s alcohol-based and comes in canisters that provide three hours of burning time.

Every homeowner has different needs, and for some, ventless gas fireplaces offer an adequate amount of heat and just the right touch of ambience. Will such a unit work in your home?

 

-Consider the amount of space you have.

Ventless fireplaces require minimal space and are easily installed in a number of locations throughout your home. Given that they’re ventless, no flues or chimneys are necessary during the installation process. As an added bonus, such fireplaces are more energy efficient as they don’t have additional penetrations into your home for venting.

 

-Keep in mind potential indoor air issues.

Breathing in dust, ash and plumes of smoke that a fireplace emits is a solid way to destroy your lungs. Plus, most fireplaces are bad for allergies, simply making them worse! A ventless fireplace produces no ash or airborne allergens that may diminish the quality of your indoor air. In some communities, wood-burning fireplaces are banned, in which case ventless gas fireplaces are an adequate alternative.

 

-Calculate the amount of square footage that needs heating.

As great as ventless fireplaces are, they do have their shortcomings. They are perfect as a secondary source of heat or adequate for a smaller area, but they cap out at 40,000 BTUs for health reasons. For this reason, you can’t rely on them as your only source of heat.

Gas fireplaces that are ventless offer efficiency, ambience and warmth when necessary. Most importantly, they have all the functions of a traditional fireplace without the need for flues, chimneys or smoke.