I would like some info or opinions on LP gas fire places.
I am installing 2 fire places in my home which I am currently building. Building code says you must have a vented fire place in the master bed room. The fire place in the living room can be vented or non vented. I have been getting different info from the fire place contractors. The guys that don’t sell vent free say the vent free are no good and cause various problems. The guys that sell the vent free say they are more efficient and not problematic. I would sure appreciate some opinions from someone who doesn’t have their hand in my wallet. If it makes a difference I’m located in central N.C.
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Gas or Lp, both will be great to look at! have 2 gas fireplaces in my house, (Colorado) with the price of natural gas, if I could do it over again I would use something different.
There both nice to look at but, worthless as a heat source!
I have a direct vent and a standard vent in my house: propane.
Direct vent can run straight out the wall and with one pipe, introduces combustion makeup air for the heater and vents the warm flue gases outside. The cooler makeup air is on the outside of the pipe so the pipe never gets hot inside your house and the flue gases are on the inside of the pipe, insulated by the cooler air.
Our other unit runs a pipe up the chimney and out and gets make up air elsewhere.
Direct vent is the better way to go.
http://grungefm.com
Vented: most of the heat goes up the flue, this is because few people balance the "air" flow. Much less chance of getting poisoned with CO. (still get a monitor)
Non-vented: all the heat (and fumes) stay in the room/s. Hence the higher efficient rating. Much greater chance of getting poisoned with CO.
Most of Both fireplaces have safety controls built in to detect loss of Oxygen and CO detection.
I have the vent free and love it. To me its no worse than the cooktop being on.
Exchange of air is important for both units to work right.