Common Questions

Here are the common questions that match your criteria. If you have additional questions, please return to the common questions page.

Gas - Venting

• How do gas fireplaces vent?
• What is the difference between a Direct Vent and a B-Vent gas hearth product?
• Is direct vent the same thing as ventless?
• Can I use an existing masonry chimney as the vent for my gas fireplace?
• What is a flue?

• How do gas fireplaces vent?
The majority of our gas fireplaces and inserts are direct vent (DV). This means they have a fixed glass front which seals the gas burner and combustion firebox off from your home. 100% of the combustion air used by the fireplace comes from outside the home through a coaxial pipe. A smaller pipe inside the larger pipe eliminates all combustible gases, maintaining indoor air quality. The vent can be run horizontally through an outside wall, or vertically through the roof, depending on your preference.

• What is the difference between a Direct Vent and a B-Vent gas hearth product?
A B-vent must be vented vertically and uses fresh air from inside the home to provide oxygen to the fire. A direct vent has a sealed glass front and pulls all of its fresh air from outside the home. Direct vents can be vented vertically or horizontally through an exterior wall. Direct vents are a completely sealed system; B-vent appliances are not.

• Is direct vent the same thing as ventless?
Absolutely not. A direct vent uses a high temperature glass panel to seal off the burn area of the fireplace from the interior of the home. It pulls 100% combustion air to feed the fire from outside the home. Because of its design, a direct vent gas fireplace will not effect the indoor air quality of your home. Since no air from your home is going up the chimney, a direct vent model is very efficient. Vent free should actually be called room vented since the by-products of gas combustion all spill back into the room. The single largest by-product of the gas combustion process is water vapor. Over sizing or overuse of a vent free hearth product can lead to excess moisture in a well built, tightly constructed home. Excess moisture inside the home can contribute to odors, mold and mildew inside the home.

• Can I use an existing masonry chimney as the vent for my gas fireplace?
No. The larger size of a masonry chimney is unsuitable for use with a factory built fireplace. We do have several models of wood burning or gas burning inserts that are designed for retrofit into an existing masonry fireplace, and they come with special venting that can be used inside an existing chimney. Your local dealer can help you pick the insert that best fits your needs.

• What is a flue?
A flue is another name for the fireplace chimney or venting system.