Ventless Installation FAQ
Q: Is installing a vent-free appliance expensive?
A: Installation costs of vent-free products are up to 60 percent less than the cost of installing vented heating appliances as there is no need to cut through exterior walls or create an expensive chimney or vent system.
Q: Are there restrictions on where ventless appliances can be installed in the home?
A: Vent-free appliances may be installed in just about any room of the home as long as there is a gas hook up. It is important to remember that the appliance should be sized to fit the area in which it is to be installed and must meet any additional regional or local requirements (6,000 BTUs are allowed in bathrooms and 10,000 BTUs are allowed in bedrooms).
Q: Are vent-free appliances difficult to install?
A: Any of the 62 million homes that are supplied with natural or propane gas can inexpensively have a professional install a vent-free gas heater, fireplace, stove or log set. Installation usually takes less than an hour. Ventless products can be installed in just about any room, from hard-to-heat basements and additions, or in rooms used less frequently.
Ventless products can even be installed outside to provide heat for your porch or patio. Unlike vented products, which have limitations on their placement, vent-free products can be put just about anywhere on an inside wall, under a window, in a corner or in the middle of a room -- any area with access to a gas line. Always check with your local codes as there are some restrictions on placement.
Q: Are vent-free products difficult to maintain?
A: Vent-free products do not have chimneys, flues or vents that can get clogged, need repair or cleaning, or provide a conduit for unwelcome pests. Vent-free appliances, like all gas appliances, should be inspected annually for proper operation by a qualified service agency. This typically consists of a cleaning, checking the burner and inspecting the appliance’s other key components and ignition system.
Owners should review the product manual prior to operating the unit. The other main benefit of ventless gas appliances is that they eliminate the need for chopping and hauling wood or cleaning ash from wood burning in a conventional fireplace.
Q: Do vent-free products work when the power goes out?
A: Yes. Most vent-free appliances don’t rely on electricity. They supply heat even when home power is lost due to severe weather or emergency situations.
Q: Do building codes in my area allow for the installation of ventless gas products?
A: All building codes throughout the United States allow for the sale and installation of vent-free gas appliances. In fact, ventless gas products are allowed in 49 states. However, you should always check with your local retailer and/or code authorities before purchasing and installing a vent-free appliance. Contact Fine's Gas today for advice on installation.
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