In general, gas fireplaces offer several advantages over other types. They allow easier use, with no need to chop firewood or find kindling, and they’re simpler to install. Best yet, they’re great for the environment compared to many other styles.

At Comfort Solutions, our gas fireplaces bring you all the benefits you’re looking for in an affordable, full-service package. One big decision you’ll have to make: Vented or vent free? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Vented Fireplaces

A vented fireplace contains a flue or ventilation pipe to help keep combustion byproducts away from the home. The ductwork is traditionally routed out a chimney, but for homes without a chimney, there are direct-vent fireplaces available that route negative particles out of the home via ducts in the walls.

There are a few distinct advantages to vented fireplaces:

• Safety: This is the largest advantage. There’s no concern with sparks, hazardous particles or any combustion byproducts. This is an especially large benefit for people who have allergies or asthma, or who have children with these conditions.
• Look: Vented fireplaces tend to have flames that look extremely natural.
• Heating: Certain direct-vent models can provide some of the best in-home heating benefits.

There are also a few drawbacks to vented fireplaces compared with vent free:

• Cost: Vented models are generally more expensive to install, given the additional parts.
• Location: There isn’t always a great place in the house to run new venting, which can make installation tough in some cases.

Vent Free Fireplaces

Vent free fireplaces use no vents, and in certain existing homes, they’re the only gas option if new ducting can’t be supported by the home’s infrastructure. Some of the benefits of vent free fireplaces include:

• Price: Vent free models are less expensive than vented fireplaces, since there are fewer parts to install.
• Heating: Because no heat is leaving the house through a duct or a chimney, this style of fireplace makes for excellent heating.

With no vent to release fire byproducts, some people are concerned about health and related issues due to chemicals and water vapor in the living area. A window will need to be kept open, or separate ductwork may need to be installed. In some cases, the price benefits listed above can disappear through this necessity.

Want to learn more about the differences between vented and vent free fireplaces, or interested in any of our custom fireplace services? Speak to the experts at Comfort Solutions today.

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