ventless gas logs vs vented

8 years ago

hello...we have a 1940 fireplace that us only 12 inches deep and 26 inches wide...we wanted to install a pellet stove but have been told because the firebox is so narrow and the chimney is about 35 feet tall there will not be enough air draw and room for one.
so...we are now looking at bringing a gas line from the street and doing a gas log fireplace but we dont know if we should do ventless or vented...were not sure about the whole draw issue for vented???? help? also any suggestions on brands. we need something that we can Install in the existing opening and then cover for dog safety....
I should also note that the previous owners had an electric set and so there us an electric plug under the firebox now....so we may need to line it?????? we have found zero professional installers out here

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Comments (5)

Sharon Bittinger
8 years ago
Interested to read any comments as I’m in the same boat with an old coal burning fireplace.
Bruce in Northern Virginia
8 years ago
You might want to look up some info on the Rumford design fireplace, and its dimensions, since I think it is similar to yours. Rumford dimensions are designed to work effectively to heat a room, not like modern fireplaces that are focused on how it "looks" in a room. My point is - the fireplace may be fine to burn wood, even though fireplace guys think it looks like its too shallow.

We also went through the vent vs. ventless debate, and decided to use ventless because we weren't sure if the chimney needed to be relined to use vented. We've had them installed for about two years, and they work well to heat the room.

Bruce
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tigerdunes
8 years ago
of course, have installer check for any safety issues. If you are looking for heat, then ventless not vented.

TD
cfillyaw
8 years ago
What size is the chimney? Is it greater than 6". If so, another option would be to put a wood burning stove in there or in front and vent up through the existing chimney.
sktn77a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Some states and municipalities limit the use of ventless fireplaces (for example, many don't allow them in bedrooms). If you can use vented, then that's the best option, but if you don't have that option, vented works. We have two in situations where there either was no vent or significant draw problems (we sealed off that vent) and have had no problem with them.