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Ventless Natural Gas Fireplace
Posted by DMoffett on October 24, 2024 at 9:00 amI am looking at purchasing a home with a ventless natural gas fireplace. I was wondering if anyone with IPF has one and what their experience has been. Thank you.
JLH replied 2 weeks, 3 days ago 6 Members · 5 Replies -
5 Replies
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I have ILD with Fibrosis, Five years ago we bought a new home, before diagnosis, we have a vented gas fireplace, it’s one of my favorite things in the house, I love sitting near it, it has not affected my lungs.
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I have owned a home with two fireplaces. One is vented and the other is ventless. They are completely turned off in the summer, even the pilot lights. I can’t tell they have made any difference whatsoever either in winter or summer in regards to my breathing.
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I use a ventless stove. It keeps our home warm. Be careful-stay – 6 feet away from flame – (oxygen) It stays warm. We avoid heating the whole house. Set at lower setting at night. Enjoyable 🌹
Praying for you.
Watusi
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Ventless fireplaces don’t produce problems uniquely to IPF patients. Their issues apply to everyone. The controversies are carbon monoxide and humidity. Supposedly the CO is minimal, but, unless you have 100% efficiency (dream world), there will be some CO. This is why some states totally prohibit their use. There is also additional humidity increased into the space.
I’ve had wood or gas fireplaces for 75 years….but never a ventless one.
If you choose to proceed make sure the unit is UL listed and is installed by a reliable contractor. CDC reports 50k people are treated for CO exposure every year.
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As LKU said, the problems are not specific to those of us with PF, I will say that things that didn’t bother me in the past cause some degree of discomfort/irritation that did not bother me pre PF.
Having been an HVAC service tech for 25 years I will share a little more detail on what LKU commented. I may have the date wrong but the point being made is still relevant. All residential construction after 1995 is considered “tight construction” and requires provision for out door air for fuel burning equipment hence the development of direct of direct vent appliances where the air for combustion is piped directly to the combustion zone rather than introducing cold outdoor air to the living space. If you read the operating instructions for a non vented appliance you will probably find that they recommend an open window. Seems to defeat the purpose.
LKU also said the products of combustion are ideally CO2 and H20 (your plants will love it). But even if you start out with such harmless results, as O2 is used without being replaced CO2 is increased and CO also enters the picture. Non vented heating appliances should have an O2 sensor which will shut down the appliance as is senses depleted O2 levels.
A lot depends on its intended use. If as a main or major source of heat, risky and there are safer and better options, unless your house is drafty, and therefore natural infiltration of makeup air. If intended for ambiance and a little supplemental heat, probably OK.
I’ll end with this, the company I worked for sent me to and required me to expose myself and others to some questionable situations, but they did not sell, install, service, nor repair non vented heating appliances in residential applications.
Not trying to scare anyone, nor to try to impress anyone with my knowledge. I’m just an old, fat, bald guy with some experience on the topic and hope this is helpful.
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