The growing trend of using ventless gas fireplaces has not only gathered a greater scope of market but also controversies regarding its alleged health hazards to our homes. Granting that these appliances do not require a flue, chimney or any external venting ducts, it would have to vent out its fumes to some place. Although, also the very reason why ventless gas fireplaces are cheaper compared to traditional chimney-requiring fireplaces and such feature also enables ventless gas fireplaces to become effective room heaters in houses, it is apparently also the reason why it becomes harmful to human health.

Since all forms of combustion require oxygen to burn, we can say therefore that there is in no way that a fire can be completely “ventless”.Otherwise, it would extinguish itself. Same principle applies to the fires created within fireplaces. On a ventless one, it vents out on the room thus providing a sense of regulated heat. And this can be dangerous if we fail to underscore the air volume inside a room. The dense air from the fireplace may contain carbon monoxide that could spread out in the room and might cause harm to ourselves.

Even several states in America and some other countries have outlawed the use of ventless gas fireplaces due to certain health concerns. Places like Canada, Massachusetts and California prohibit the use of this type of heaters due to their potential to accumulate carbon monoxide, deplete oxygen which could lead to suffocation, unconsciousness and or asphyxiation. It would be better to check on your local building code before resolving into using this type of heaters.

Generally people purchase such indoor fireplaces for its practical purpose which is to generate heat in homes especially in cold seasons. However it should be imperative to consider their room-heating feature advantage as a secondary source of heat.

If you are really decided on purchasing a ventless gas fireplace for your own reasons, an important point should be considered. Know first how you will primarily use it and where you would  put it in order to know which type of ventless gas fireplace you would buy. In choosing, look attentively to the rating which would tell you the amount of energy it will consume and how much heat, measured in BTU, it will generate. Be mindful of the BTU rating for it will tell you where to appropriately place the heater. It would also determine how large the place should be for the appliance to work properly.  It would be logical not put high-output fireplaces in small areas of house, consider you will receive more heat than more heat than what is needed.