Selecting the proper venting solution for a gas fireplace design is very important since it concerns both safety and efficiency. For the people in Manitoba especially during winter which is severally long and frozen, a vented gas fireplace ensures one gets the most, the heat one needs while at the same time not suffocating in a house full of gas fumes. This knowledge will be useful to understand which of the several possible solutions may be considered the most effective when it comes to home venting. This is what you should know when assessing the best ways of venting gas fireplaces in MB.
Understanding Venting Types
There are primarily three venting types for gas fireplaces: They include; direct vent, natural vent which is also referred to as B-vent, and vent-free or unvented logs. Both possesses its own benefits and risks respectively and depending on what you want and what your situation is, you can likely or can’t.
Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces: Direct vent also called two chamber system here two sources of air and two outlets for exhaust gases are found. This type of system is closed vacuum system and the pipes which are used in this system closely heated and made of double walls. Direct vent gas fireplaces are highly efficient in most cases, and therefore this type of a fireplace emits less and it has minimal impacts on IAQ.
MB residents are advised to consider using direct vent gas fireplaces; this is particularly helpful to homeowners in well insulated homes. Flexibility in placement is one of the advantages since the venting comes with mechanisms that can fit through a wall or even the roof.
Natural Gas and Propane Fireplaces: The natural vent system on the other hand uses existing chimneys for the discharge of the exhaust gases. These fireplaces use the chimney drawn draft to remove the smoke and other combustible gases. Even though they are cheaper in comparison to the direct vent systems as long as you have an operational chimney, they are less efficient and cause more heat loss.
Concerning natural vent type of MB gas fireplaces, options available for traditional construction with existing chimneys. The primary feature that homeowners need to be worried about, of course, is the draft and insulation capacities that this type of home might have during the unforgiving Manitoba winters.
Vented Gas Fireplaces: A vented gas fireplace on the other hand is created in such a way that it emits gas in a manner that it can burn the gas without requiring a formal venting system. These units can be placed anywhere since they have no need of an external vent. But, this type of fireplace has high potential for indoor air pollution, as it blows combustion byproducts right into the indoor environment.
While vent-free models are convenient and efficient, the very nature of this model of indoors heating is undesirable for homes in MB where winter air quality is an issue. Also, there are numerous state rules governing vent-free appliance use, and / or location so such laws regarding the place of installation have to be observed.
As indicated in the analysis that followed to the selection of venting options, there are some crucial considerations that any company venting its products must take into consideration when making its choices.
Building Codes and Laws Manitoba: Building codes and laws before choosing a venting type for your building it is important to know what is legal in Manitoba. There may also be limitations on the use of vent-free appliances and / or ventilation for gas fireplaces in some part of the Country.
Home Design and Layout: High location and position of your home affects the kind of venting method you will choose. If you already have a chimney a natural vent gas fireplace may be easier to accomplish. On the other hand, in a home that is relatively new, and constructed with greater consideration for energy efficiency, a direct vent may be more effective.
Heating Efficiency: The location of your gas fireplace will, in some ways, determine how you are going to use it in relation to its heating efficiency. Remember, however, if you are seeking a principal heat source, you will be looking for something more efficient. Direct vent systems are more efficient and less likely to produce emissions and hence widely accepted among homeowners.
Another consideration is what you like, that is the style of your fireplace, and its consequential harmony with the rest of the house. Natural vent fireplaces are usually angular whereas direct vent ones come in many stock designs and shapes. Select a design that fits the interiors and satisfies your requirements for use.
Conclusion
Venting design is a decision that impacts in safety and utilization efficiency when it comes to the use of gas fireplaces. Direct vent, natural vent, and vent-free are features or options on a gas fireplace that every homeowner in Manitoba needs to understand to make a wise decision. When thinking locally about regulation, design of your home, heating requirements and more importantly the level of elegance you desire for your home, one can choose a gas fireplace suited to their household. No matter whether you are looking for a replacement of the old fireplace or using a new one, the proper choice of venting possibility will help you to enjoy heat and gas fireplaces in MB for many years.