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What Is A Direct Vent Fireplace?

Direct Vent is a term that describes a sealed gas burning fireplace, stove, or insert for an existing fireplace. It is a significant improvement over older b-vent fireplaces as well as wood burning fireplaces with regards to how it vents, draws in fresh air for combustion, and the relationship between the two. Direct Vent fireplaces and stoves use a dual walled vent pipe that exhausts the combustion gases through the inner pipe and draws in fresh air for combustion between the inner pipe and outer pipe. A Direct Vent insert for an existing fireplace uses individual and flexible pipes to vent through an existing chimney.

How Do Direct Vent Fireplaces Work?

All Direct Vent fireplaces have a sealed combustion chamber that allows view of the fire through a sheet of high temperature glass that is protected by a fire screen. This sealed combustion allows the appliance to exhaust all the combustion gases outdoors. The force of exhaust causes an equal draw of fresh air in from outdoors that the that appliance uses for combustion. This way of combustion wastes no already conditioned from your home. This keeps the fireplace burning efficiently as well as creating the most attractive flame available on a gas appliance.

How Can I Vent The Fireplace?

Another benefit of this type of combustion is the flexibility it allows with regards to how the fireplace vents to the outdoors. Direct Vent fireplaces and stoves can be vented both vertically, horizontally, or vertically then horizontally. Even horizontally and then vertically. A Direct Vent Fireplace Insert is generally vented with two separate flexible vents. One for the exhaust and the other for incoming fresh air. If you are installing a new appliance and looking to create the look of an authentic masonry fireplace, vent the fireplace up through your roof. If you are looking to save costs or space, a Direct Vent fireplace can vent out the wall with a discreet horizontal vent cap. Each Direct Vent fireplace has a unique combination of venting parameters that are clearly laid out in the installation manual. Follow these parameters for a safe and properly functioning appliance.

Summary:

Direct Vent fireplaces have become the most popular type of fireplace installed over the last 30 years. Their protection from exhaust gasses, installation flexibility, efficiency, and realistic flames have made them the number one choice amongst builders and homeowners alike.