Swapping a standing pilot light for an electric on-demand ignition is one of the easiest ways to improve gas fireplace efficiency. When reviewing gas fireplace options, consumers have three primary choices: B vent: This approach, also called natural vent, pulls air from indoors for combustion and vents it outside. While vented gas fireplaces direct carbon monoxide and other combustion byproducts up the chimney or flue, unvented gas fireplaces send these dangerous gases directly into your living space. Fireplaces in the hope are perfect for family time and gatherings. Unvented gas fireplaces offer 99 percent efficiency, but these units are illegal in California and banned or regulated in many other areas due to the associated dangers. Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. 604.732.3470. The dancing flames and crackling wood of a traditional masonry fireplace adds charm and beauty to the home yet produces surprisingly little heat. B Vent vs Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces and Furnaces - YouTube The firebox is made from large, heat-resistant tempered glass that creates a magnificent viewing window. Homeowners can easily locate them in almost any space. Have you installed a b vent in your home? Two-pipe vented gas fireplaces that draw fresh air from outdoors are more efficient than models with a single pipe, which rely on indoor air to fuel the combustion process. If you live in an area with a ban or limitations on wood burning, a b vent gas model may allow you to enjoy an in-home fire and comply with local codes. more than 37 million American homes have fireplaces, with approximately 900,000 new fireplaces added in new homes each year, When reviewing gas fireplace options, consumers have three primary choices, some communities have banned construction of new wood burning fireplaces to improve local air quality, Get answers to our most common questions », Watch our installation video and find more resources ». This tightly-sealed system eliminates use of any inside air. B-vent fireplace inserts provide your home with beautiful lighting without the high costs. Today, more than 37 million American homes have fireplaces, with approximately 900,000 new fireplaces added in new homes each year. When selecting a fireplace, what motivated you to select a b vent model? This simple step can save you about $10 per month in energy costs, according to This Old House. (B-vent pipes are used to vent combustion by-products from gas burning appliances such as furnaces and water heaters.) Direct-vent systems transfer the combustion fumes and pollutants outside the home via a chimney or an opening on the exterior of the home. B Vent - The B Vent is typically part of an insert setup. Direct vent: This approach draws combustion air from outside and returns exhaust outside. We carry a 39-inch 65,000 BTU model, a 44-inch 65,000 BTU model, and a 49-inch 80,000 BTU models, all of which burn clean natural gas or liquid propane. In 2012, Heat & Glo introduced the first direct-vent gas fireplace that meets American National Standards Institute criteria for use as a central furnace. © MFI Masonry Fireplace Industries, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Website created by AshWebStudio, Thinking of a Gas Fireplace for Your Home? This model offers 21,000 BTU and makes use of your fireplace’s existing vent—giving you the convenience of a gas fireplace insert where your wood burning fireplace … When you are ready to buy your new b vent gas fireplace, you should consult with the expert team at Mason Lite. Looking for an alternate way to get an easy to use fireplace in your home? Minimum clearance between the vent and combustible materials is 3 inches for L-Vent and 1 inch for Type B gas vent. However, B-Vent fireplaces and stoves have very poor efficiency ratings. For information on venting unlisted gas appliances or appliances burning solid or liquid fuels, request our All-Fuel Chimneys catalog. Top 5 Benefits of a Wood Fired Pizza Oven. Homeowners can purchase fire boxes inside another box. Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace Figure 1. They also come with the latest technology, require minimal maintenance and you can expect between 58-85% efficiency, and controlled home heating. All of our fireplace products are 100% made in the USA. When buying a fireplace, it is important to work with the experts. The efficiency depends on the type of log and fireplace you’re using. B-vent gas fireplaces, also known as natural vent fireplaces, or as a b vent fireplace, use air from inside your home to fuel combustion and rely on the buoyancy of hot gases to vent exhaust through dedicated pipe systems. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. Whereas a traditional B-vent gas fireplace must vent up a chimney and draws combustion air from the building envelope, direct vent gas fireplaces pull their combustion air from the outside into a sealed firebox. Material . What advice do you have for anyone considering a gas fireplace for their home. BTU will vary depending on the type of fuel used and moisture content of the fuel. It relies on indoor air for combustion but it has moderate efficiency when it comes to producing heat. Exhaust. High-efficiency gas fireplace inserts help you save money in the long run. Gas vent fireplaces exhaust their fumes through the roof via a pipe. A high-efficiency fireplace burns much less gas in order to supply the same amount of heat compared with a low-efficiency fireplace. We did the research to help find you the best gas fireplaces around. Most homeowners believe that the primary decision they need to make when selecting a fireplace is choosing whether to go with a wood burning model or a gas model. Add some comments below and share you story. How does your experience with a b vent compare to other types of fireplaces? Type B-Vents Ceiling Floor Wall Clearances B-Vent clearances to combustibles Clearance distances for a B-vent to combustible materials in floors, walls, ceilings, attics, roofs. Modular fireplace kits include 24 Masonry pieces that form the unit, as well as rebar for the installation. Ceramic glazed pellets in the burner tumble and swirl the gas to produce a natural flickering fire. The Empire Keystone Fireplace is an option if you’re shopping for a B-vent gas fireplace insert to use inside of your woodburning fireplace. Those who choose gas fireplaces are often looking for a low-maintenance alternative and are attracted to aesthetic value of having an in-home fire. For a unit rated at 65 percent efficiency, 65 percent of gas consumed is converted into heat, while the remaining 35 percent is wasted through combustion and ventilation.The higher the efficiency of your gas fireplace, the less it will cost to operate and the less it contributes to air pollution and global warming emissions. With Direct Vent Technology, your fireplace can use outside air for combustion, expelling 100 percent of the combustion exhaust and by-products. In addition, you do not need to worry about the mess and inconvenience involved in hauling wood from outdoors into your home. Our deep Premium 42-inch B-Vent fireplace features our Slope Glaze Burner – the industry standard for great looking flames. Vent-free: These fireplaces also do not use a chimney, but do vent exhaust into the room. Are you sick of buying gas logs for wood burning fireplaces? According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, installing a gas fireplace in the area of your home where you spend the most time could lower your home heating bills by as much as 40 percent. Many builders seem to think that because materials such as rockwool insulation are used as fire-stopping, that it should… How to Use the Best Wood-Fired Pizza Oven to Throw an Awesome Outdoor Party. inserts that are 61 per cent efficient and higher. Fireplaces are very popular features in modern homes. Heating Alternatives to Supplement an Oil Furnace, How to Add an Electric Heating System to One Room, This Old House: Heating With a Gas Fireplace, California Air Resources Board: Wood Burning Handbook, California Air Resources Board: Combustion Pollutants in Your Home, NW Natural: NW Natural to Showcase the Innovative "Blue Home" at the Better Living Show. Save money on gas with high efficiency b-vent fireplace inserts. With a clean, efficient b vent gas fireplace, you can enjoy a cozy fire at any time, in almost any room. If you already have a fireplace, your experience can help our customers choose the right model for them. When buying a fireplace, it is important to work with the experts. Kingsman Zero Clearance B-Vented Gas Fireplace ZV3600 gas fireplaces that are 62.4 per cent efficient or higher. B-Vent pipe is usually smaller in diameter than Class A Chimney Pipe, which is used for wood-burning/coal hearth appliances, and it is much cheaper. More and more people are swapping their standard wood-burning fireplaces for gas and electric fireplaces . Homeowners who prefer a gas model should consider a b vent fireplace, which provides a mix of ambiance and heat production at a cost-effective price. We discuss fire safety, fire clearances, and other gas appliance venting details for b-vent chimneys. Creating Outdoor fireplace Plans Tahoe Deluxe is a natural gas Direct vent fireplace inserts your... 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