Second Direct Vent Fireplace

6 years ago

Hey everyone, we have a direct vent gas fireplace in our main floor living room. We are starting the process of finishing our basement. We are considering putting another fireplace in the movie room that will be located directly below our living room. The new fireplace would go directly below the first one in a nook that runs down from it (sorry no pic at the moment, I hope this makes sense). My question is, can we vent a second gas insert through the vent of the original fireplace? This is very early in the process. My husband will be doing as much of the work as he can but we'll being hiring trades people as necessary. I'd like to know before I start inquiring with pros if this is even an option or if I should scrap the idea and we should just use an electric insert. Thank you!

Featured Answer

Bruce in Northern Virginia

6 years ago

If your existing setup is a direct vent fireplace it will use a concentric flue, where the inner pipe is the exhaust and the outer pipe is used to draw in fresh air. I don't know for sure, but I don't think it would be possible to add another appliance to this setup. Even if you can join the pipes with a Y (I don't think you can), the flue after the Y would have to be larger to accomodate the flue requirements for two fireplaces.

You might want to take a look at ventless fireplace logs. Some folks think they are less realistic, and they do burn the O2 inside the room, but I've used them and found them to work very well. You just need to add a CO detector in the room to ensure you aren't burning up to much oxygen.

Bruce

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Ask the fireplace pros who will be for sure be installing this.
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Liz Lemon
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Bruce :).

As insightful as ever Patricia.
smitrovich
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I have a direct vent gas fireplace in my living room and another one right above it in my bedroom. They each have their own concentric flue that runs side-by-side through a chimney to the roof. I'm fairly certain you would not be able to share a single flue for two direct vent fireplaces.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Sarcasm is not needed we have no idea of the code where they live and so they need a pro to help and IMO no DIYer should installing a fireplace if they need to ask this question Where I live if you install your own fireplace or wood stove your insurance is null and void.
Bruce in Northern Virginia
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If a direct vent fireplace installation is permitted, inspected and approved by the AHJ, what insurance would not be valid? Many cities do allow homeowner installation if there is a permit; however, I agree that a complete new fireplace installation is a complicated job that is more involved than most homeowners are familiar with.

I also expect it to be hard to find a single independent pro that does a complete fireplace installation, since it starts out with mostly carpentry/framing for the fire box, and then ends with the gas and electric installation and approval. Most fireplace stores can only set up installation of gas logs in an existing fireplace and/or arranging a plumber to install a new gas line.

Bruce