Modern Fireplace Ideas

Modern Fireplace Ideas

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Direct Vent Fireplaces

WHAT IS A DIRECT VENT GAS FIREPLACE?

Direct vent fireplaces offer a safer and more efficient alternative to other wood-burning and gas fireplaces. Direct Vent fireplaces are sealed with a firebox and attached venting system. The firebox is sealed by the glass and a safety screen that helps prevent accidentally touching the hot surface. Safety screens are something those with children or pets will appreciate.

Two things happen with direct vent systems

  1. Outside air is drawn into the firebox for combustion
  2. The gases resulting from combustion are vented from the home.

Having this process happen in a sealed environment helps maintain indoor air quality, protects home efficiency, and allows the fireplace to function effectively.

How air enters & exits your home

The two options for venting are coaxial & colinear. Both systems use two pipes but differ in their location.

Co-Linear Venting (pipes next to each other)

Two pipes running parallel are co-linear systems. One pulls in air to assist with combustion while the other exhausts the byproducts. They can only be terminated vertically so if you have an existing chimney this might be a good option for you.       

Co-Axial Venting (pipe inside a pipe)

Instead of being two completely separate pipes, a co-axial system is a pipe within a pipe. While the outer pipe pulls in outside air to assist with combustion the inner pipe expels combustion byproducts.

HEAT CIRCULATION

Cool air enters the firebox through the convection intake located at the bottom of the unit. Air is circulated in the firebox and then heated air is released back into the room. A blower is an optional fan that can increase the amount of hot air pushed into the room.

A heat dump system can be installed on some fireplaces. This will draw heat from the fireplace & transfer or “dump” it into another area.

The heat being “dumped” can lower clearances above the fireplace. Clearance is the safe distance combustible materials need to be to avoid starting a fire. Low or zero clearances give you more options for placement of the unit and the surrounding decorations & technology you want to have.

WHERE CAN I INSTALL A DIRECT VENT FIREPLACE?

Customers have put direct vent fireplaces in pretty much every room including basements. Every state and city have their own specific codes. Make sure to verify that a Direct Vent fireplace is allowed in the location you want.

ARE DIRECT VENT FIREPLACES SAFE?

When installed and serviced annually by licensed professionals direct vent fireplaces can be safe and efficient. Direct Vent fireplaces use outdoor air to burn and they are sealed off. This means that you don’t need to worry about combustion by-products polluting your indoor air. You should still have carbon monoxide detectors in place.

Also, it is important to ensure that the glass front or safety barrier is in place when the fireplace is operating. The fireplace won’t work correctly and could lead to combustion gasses entering the house.

STYLES

You can choose from a variety of Direct Vent fireplace styles: corner, linear, see-through, and multi-sided (peninsula), as well as single or double-sided. Due to its sleek design and modern appeal, linear models are today’s most preferred style.

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