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The Benefits of a Direct Vent Gas Fireplace, Insert or Stove

Imagine that it’s a cold winter night. It shouldn’t be hard with the cold weather that we’ve been getting in Houston this winter. There’s nothing like lighting a fireplace in your fireplace or stove.If you’re like many homeowners and or apartment owners these days, you’ve probably opted for a gas fireplace, stove or insert. However, if you don’t have a direct vent fireplace, you might be seeing your heating dollars go up the chimney.

Regular gas fireplaces use the indoor air to burn natural gas or propane, sending the exhaust up through a vertical pipe or flue using the natural effect of hot air rising above cold air. Regular gas fireplaces are typically inefficient because of their design, conditioned also escapes through the flue. Another inherent issue is when a fan such as a kitchen fan causes a back draft pulling air and noxious gases back into the home.

A direct vent fireplace is a prefabricated metal fireplace that also vents all gasses to the exterior of the structure in which it is installed through a flue. And because of their specific venting system they’re about five times more efficient than traditional fireplaces. Some of the advantages that direct vent fireplaces have over regular gas fireplaces include their overall safety, increased efficiency and additional flexibility. Direct vent fireplaces pull in air from the outdoors through the outer chamber of a double vent pipe and the inner chamber of this pipe exhausts the fumes. A circular flow is established as hot air is exiting and cooler air enters the chamber. No flue is needed and the pipes can be installed through the wall.

Direct vent fireplaces are safer because they don’t need to vent gasses through a flue through the roof, eliminating any backdraft isn't an issue. As a result no gasses can make their way back into the home. They are also very efficient because more of the gas or propane that they are burning is converted into heat. Compared to a traditional fireplace they can operate at about 85% efficiency. Traditional fireplaces that are considered extremely efficient only operate at about 15% efficiency. The glass door that is used to seal the fireplace also prevents heat loss. Finally because of their unique installation configuration, the vertical pipe is connects to the exterior through the wall, they can be installed almost anywhere. If a wall isn’t available the vent can always be installed through the roof.

The benefits of a direct vent fireplace make it attractive alternative to traditional fireplaces. At American Fireplace, we’d be happy to help you make the right choice that fits your needs as well as install your new fireplace.

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