Ventless vs Direct Vent Fireplaces

Find out about the advantages of a Ventless gas fireplace vs a Direct Vent gas fireplace including indoor air quality, realism, affordability, and safety.

If you’ve been browsing online for a new gas fireplace, you might notice options are split between ventless and direct vent gas fireplaces.

Advantages of Gas Fireplaces

These gas fireplaces aren’t like the traditional idea of “a fireplace”, where you toss in wood, newspaper, and a match. The magic of these specially installed inserts is that the flames are produced behind fireproof glass, and the accompanying heat is fed into the room.

The gas fireplace system is a lot safer than traditional masonry fireplaces, as the flames are protected within the appliance. Homeowners don’t need to worry about flames spreading, nor pets or children wandering towards the wood-burning area. Nor do they have to worry about the heat waning overtime or getting up at certain intervals to replace the logs.

The gas fireplace is a hugely convenient heat-producer in any home, that can even be cost-effective, as it doesn’t require materials to burn, and is more energy-efficient than a wood-burner. The practical reasons to opt for a gas fireplace are plentiful and should go a long way in helping you equip your home.

Now that you know what a gas fireplace is—which one should you buy? Direct Vent? Or Ventless?

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Ventless vs Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces

You can compare prices, but that shouldn’t be guiding this decision. Maybe price takes precedence when you’re deciding which rug to buy, or where to fill up your car—but when it comes to gas fireplaces, we highly recommend doing your due diligence to learn which is the perfect fit for you. What’s most important is knowing the fundamental distinction between Direct Vent and Ventless Fireplaces.

As their names suggest, a direct vent fireplace requires a venting system for the combustion process. And guess what—a ventless insert doesn’t!

Direct vent fireplaces use a completely sealed system to pull fresh outside air into the firebox for combustion while pushing out the resultant byproduct gases. Because a ventless system is closed, the flames are designed to burn off much of the byproduct gases, and therefore it is much more efficient, up to 99% efficiency (whereas a direct vent maybe can approach 85%). Another result of this efficiency is ventless systems give off more heat, as it burns hotter in order to limit the residual byproduct of combustion, which is filtered into the room.

The implications of that vent-or-no-vent distinction make these two entirely separate fireplace systems, with pros and cons for each that extend far beyond price.

More Installation Flexibility: Ventless

The placement of direct vent systems is limited by their need for a sealed venting system. This could be done through an existing chimney, or you could have a new venting system installed horizontally through an exterior wall. This will drive up the cost of your installation, but hey—it also drives up the value of your home. These limiting factors could be a hassle, but to put it in perspective: A direct vent fireplace is still remarkably less stringent than a traditional, non-gas masonry system. If you’re willing to accommodate the venting system installation, you can install a direct vent system in a bedroom, basement—even a bathroom.

As you can imagine, a vent-free system offers much more flexibility than its counterpart. Not only can they be installed in a broader selection of rooms, but vent-free systems also offer more options within the rooms themselves. They can be installed in the center of a room, a room without sidewalls—in this way, a homeowner with a penchant for interior design can put their imagination to the test when deciding where to place their vent-free system.

Better Indoor Air Quality: Direct Vent

Before you start picking out your vent-free fireplace, you need to be fully cognizant of the concerns regarding safety and emissions.

Remember how ventless gas fireplaces don’t have a place to vent the chemical byproducts of combustion? Well, as a result, the minimal amount of residual byproducts that are produced by the fire are free to flow into the home. If someone in the household suffers from asthma, severe allergies, or chronic bronchitis, it is recommended that you do not install a ventless system. these systems also have a tendency to intensify odors present inside the room, such as air fresheners.

As a result of these disadvantages, some states have made illegal the indoor installation of vent-free fireplaces altogether; and some others chose to impose stricter requirements for installation.

In order to counteract this manufacturing limitation, vent-free systems are engineered to burn at a higher temperature than direct vent systems, ensuring that no harmful gases will remain after combustion and anything remaining will be within of reduced risk to the user. Ventless fireplaces are also equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) that, independently of the user, monitors the oxygen level in the room. Should oxygen levels drop below the threshold of what is safe, the ODS triggers a shutoff in the fireplace.

Another thing to consider with ventless systems is that they produce water vapor from its combustion, which, unlike an appliance with a vent system, can produce condensation inside the house. In the dry winter months, this humidity may be a welcome addition, but only if the fireplace is on for short periods. If you want to have the fireplace running for extended periods frequently, the fix for this moisture is as simple as cracking a window, which would allow space for the built-up water vapor to disperse. Should a homeowner fail to recognize the water vapor emanating from the system, there is the possibility that moisture can accumulate in the home, which could lead to mold or mildew.

Vented fireplace inserts are an affordable method of heating your home, but unfortunately, that low cost comes at a price. For that reason, direct vent systems take the cake for the best indoor air quality.

Regardless of which system you choose, though, be sure to read the safety requirements and consult with your local codes. Not only will you put your health first, but you might end up saving a pretty penny.

Better Look & Aesthetic: Direct Vent (by a smidge)

Although gas fireplaces aren’t authentic, log-and-flame systems, they have become increasingly popular since their inception in the 1980s—in no small part due to their modular capabilities. Since the heat-producing mechanisms are contained behind the glass panel, there is tremendous leeway for homeowners who desire a stylish setup.

Gas fireplaces come in a wide variety of looks, with differing materials, finishes, and sizes fit for all types of homes and price sets. They can be set within all styles of the wall, whether stone or basic plaster, they can be elevated, floor-bound, used in conference rooms, pool houses. There aren’t many limits to the technology.

The one thing that can’t be re-designed out of gas fireplaces, however, is the flame itself. And despite all the thousands of looks that can surround these two types of heat-producing appliances, the direct vent fireplace has a better-looking flame. It’s not something everyone may notice, but it’s certainly there.

See, because vent-free systems burn at a higher temperature (a safety measure to counteract harmful emissions), the resulting flame can sometimes appear less like a real-life flame—sometimes even taking on a blue hue. The direct-vent fireplace, however, more closely resembles an authentic flame, comparable to traditional, masonry fireplaces.

More Affordable: Ventless

Direct vent systems require a vent, and ventless ones don’t. The prices of these gas inserts range wildly, and there are plenty of variables to consider before plainly stating the dollar amounts.

For example, the costs of installing a venting system for a direct vent appliance will range anywhere from $300-$1,500, depending on the length of the vent required and the pipe material used to make it happen. Also, worth considering is any potential costs that can come up with the use of a ventless fireplace, such as a surprise mold removal, and a fresh bucket of paint to repair a mildew-affected area.

Regardless of any supplemental costs, ventless gas fireplaces will generally run customers between $1,000-$5,000. Direct vent fireplaces, naturally, cost more for the consumer—generally in the ballpark of $3,500-$8,000.

When browsing gas fireplaces, it’s tempting to choose whichever option you think will serve as a warm focal point for the room in question. However, consumers should consider the logistics:

Do you have an existing vent system? Maybe the spot for your gas fireplace is conveniently located near an installed chimney. That could make the decision easier for you, as the cost difference between direct vent and ventless units are narrower. Is the spot for your new gas fireplace located along any exterior walls? If so, are you willing to invest in a new venting system?
Would you be comfortable with the potential discomfort of a ventless system? If someone in the house (or a frequent guest) suffers from lung-based issues, maybe it’s best to opt for a direct vent. Do you have nearby windows in case you need to ventilate the room?
How much are you willing to spend? A gas fireplace is a utility, but it’s also a long-term investment, and the style is something you’ll have to be comfortable around for years to come. Which one is right for you?

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Fireplace Deals’ inventory has dozens of design options for your perfect installation—whether you’re focused on a more efficient burn or having the most inviting centerpiece for your next family get-together. Browse our selection to learn more. Or check out the rest of our Learning Center for more Homeowner Resources. Finally, if you have specific questions email us, or give us a call at 866-848-3473.