Tag Archive for: B-vent fireplaces

Gas, Electric, Ethanol or Wood Burning – Choosing Your Fireplace

From gas and electric to ethanol and wood burning, discover the fireplace options available for new construction, renovations, and existing homes.

 

Knowing Your Options When Choosing Your Fireplace

Sometimes you’re constrained by the architecture of the home or business in which you live, so you don’t have as much flexibility to choose whatever fireplace you want to purchase. However, you might be surprised to find that you have more choice than you think when it comes to selecting a new fireplace for your space. There are 4 main types of fireplaces: gas electric, ethanol and wood burning. Traditionally, many existing homes in the Greater New Orleans area have one or more wood burning fireplaces with chimneys installed.

An easy transition from a wood burning fireplace to something else is to run a gas line to the fireplace and install gas logs or some other gas logs alternatives. Or, to make it even more simple, homeowners can install a gas starter and use wood like they would in a wood burning fireplace. Introducing access to gas with your wood burning fireplace opens up more options than you think.

Explore gas, electric, ethanol, and wood-burning fireplaces when choosing your fireplace and learn what will work for your home's space, style, and heating needs.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Consider the whole installation: Available space, ventilation, fuel access, heating needs, maintenance, design preferences, and local requirements should all factor into your fireplace choice.
  • Gas fireplaces offer variety: Direct vent, vent-free, and B-vent models provide different approaches to heating, ventilation, and installation.
  • Electric fireplaces are highly flexible: They can be installed in many locations, offer customizable flame effects, and can often operate without heat for ambiance only.
  • Ethanol fireplaces provide real flames: They do not require traditional venting and can be used in a variety of indoor and outdoor applications when properly installed.
  • Wood-burning fireplaces deliver a traditional experience: They provide the sights, sounds, and atmosphere associated with a conventional fireplace but require appropriate venting and ongoing maintenance.

Choosing Your Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces come in three styles – direct vent, vent-free or ventless, and B-vent. If you have smaller spaces with less option to install a fireplace, the vent-free fireplace is low-maintenance and can be installed in virtually any space with no venting required. We have a full line of vent-free / ventless fireplaces, which you can view at our gallery page.

Direct vent fireplaces require more space and venting to be installed. This type of fireplace is installed during new construction or a major addition / renovation. Direct vent fireplaces have a 70% heat output, offer better air quality because they are venting to the outside air, a steady source of flame and warmth, and a blower that can be manually controlled for heat distribution.

B-vent fireplaces offer a more traditional fireplace approach with a vertical chimney and an approximately 50% heat output. Enjoy realistic flames and the crackle of a wood burning fireplace. B-vent fireplace installations are ideal for outdoor or for spaces that are partially outdoors like lanais and screened porches.

Choosing Your Electric Fireplace

Both the electric and ethanol fireplaces offer complete versatility as to location and use. Electric fireplace literally can be plugged in anywhere. The flames and colors of electric fireplaces are set by a remote control. You can also choose to turn off the heat and use the fireplace for just appearance and ambiance. Electric fireplaces can be moved from room-to-room, and you can take it with you if you move locations.

Choosing Your Ethanol Fireplace

Unlike the electric fireplace, ethanol fuel burns clean, and it burns “real.” The heat and appearance of the flames of an ethanol fireplace are hard to distinguish from the real thing, and yet, they have a softer, more ambient look that, combined with their design features, makes an impressive display in any room. Ethanol fireplace products can be installed both inside and out because they operate without venting or custom installation and do not produce smoke or ash.

EcoSmart ethanol fireplace units sold by Foster-Taylor Fireplaces come in all different styles, shapes, and sizes. From fire pit tables, to stand-alone square or circular units, to fire pits, bowls, and fire boxes; EcoSmart ethanol fireplaces offer multiple and varied options for your signature style or design.

Choosing Your Fireplace

If you’re on the fence as to what type of fireplace you want and need assistance with narrowing down your options, we’re here to help. We have 2 showrooms showcasing our product lines. You can actually see these fireplaces in action and find out if your choice of fireplace can be installed in or adapted to an existing space. Contact us for more information or visit our locations for help.

 

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Comparing Gas Fireplaces – Ventless, Direct Vent & B-Vent

Comparing gas fireplace - consider the differences among ventless, direct vent, and B-vent options to understand their benefits, drawbacks, heating performance, and installation needs.

 

Helpful Information Comparing Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces overall are a solid choice for a fireplace in your new, custom home or addition build, an upgrade to an existing fireplace installation, or a new install in a room with no fireplace. They offer convenience, safety, and ease-of-use when you can “flip a switch” to turn on the fireplace. When comparing gas fireplaces, there are three main gas fireplace types from which to choose – Ventless, Direct Vent, and B-Vent. Each fireplace has its own unique features, uses, and drawbacks; but all of them have a place in your space depending on your needs.

A ventless fireplace radiates almost 100% heat into a room, can be installed anywhere because it has no chimney and no flue, and is an affordable option for those on a budget. The direct vent fireplace has many benefits including safety (it’s enclosed in glass), an even heating system with a blower to move the heat around the space, and it’s vented, so all air pollutants are pulled out and vented to the outdoors. The b-vent fireplace is less efficient than a vent-free or direct vent, but more efficient than a traditional wood burning fireplace. The b-vent fireplace requires a vertical chimney has offers old school, traditional flames and medium heat. They can be used for traditional fireplace activities, such as roasting marshmallows as well.

Explore ventless, direct vent, and B-vent when comparing gas fireplaces to find the right gas fireplace for your home's heating, installation, safety, and style needs.
 

Key Takeaways:

  • Ventless fireplaces offer high heat output and flexible installation because they do not require a chimney or external vent.
  • Direct vent fireplaces use a sealed glass front and vent combustion gases outdoors, providing a balance of heating performance, safety, and aesthetics.
  • B-vent fireplaces require a chimney or flue and provide a more traditional fireplace appearance with lower heating efficiency.
  • Installation requirements vary significantly between ventless, direct vent, and B-vent systems, so available space and venting options should be considered before choosing.

Ventless Fireplaces

When you are comparing gas fireplaces, the ventless fireplace system is the best for producing heat quickly in the room it’s installed. Speaking of installation, the ventless fireplace can be fitted into any wall, surface, corner, or space that fits the width and height requirements of the fireplace. It provides a kind of instant gratification for the user in that you don’t have to provide a chimney or vented system during the installation.

 

Because it uses all of its fuel efficiently and doesn’t vent anything to the outside, the ventless fireplace burns almost at 100% capacity, which warms up the room or space very quickly. The drawback of this system is that because nothing is being vented, all exhaust stays in the room. This means that you have to occasionally open a window, turn on a fan, or vent the space in some way to avoid accumulating anything that the fireplace expels during burning. A ventless fireplace is built to safety standards, so you don’t have to worry about too much exposure, but it’s recommended to use a carbon monoxide monitor during use.

Direct Vent Fireplaces

When comparing gas fireplaces, direct vent fireplaces has much to offer in terms of aesthetics, heat, and air quality. There are some constraints on direct vent installation – mainly where it’s installed and the installation requirements. Because direct vent fireplaces have a glass front, the space in which they’re installed requires a front-facing installation. Also, because it has to be vented, if you are constructing it into a wall that previously had no fireplace, venting has to be created either horizontally or vertically to the outside. However, once you have this venting system, you are assured of pristine air quality in the room because the venting is pulling in the outside air.

 

Unlike the ventless fireplace, a direct vent fireplace outputs about 70% of heat efficiency while it’s burning. A feature that helps with the heating is a controlled blower system which can be turned on and off depending on your heating needs. It’s a consensus that direct vent fireplaces have unbelievably realistic flames in the fireplace display. This aesthetic truly adds to the fireplace and makes it the focal point of any room or space.

B-Vent Fireplaces

The b-vent fireplace is a throwback to the more traditional fireplace setup, which was originally offered as a wood burning fireplace. B-vent fireplaces require a chimney or a flue, have realistic, old school fireplace flames, and are less efficient in their heating because the fireplace is open to the environment and is being vented out of a chimney. there are definitely reminiscent of a regular, wood burning fireplace and can be used to traditions such as roasting marshmallows.

 

You can install this fireplace with a variety of surrounds, hearths, mantels, and add-ons like a firewood box to create beautiful ambiance. One drawback with a b-vent fireplace is that you will need to be mindful of where the chimney is installed and if it’s covered by a floor-to-ceiling surround. The path of the chimney up the wall can heat up, which can affect an over-the-fireplace installation of a television or work of art. It’s ideal to install a b-vent fireplace outdoors, as the heat has someplace to go, and you can get really creative with the surround and hearth in an outdoor space.

Comparing Gas Fireplaces Overview

So, for immediate and intense heat, choose a ventless fireplace, which also offers flexibility in placement. If you’re looking for a “balanced approach” to a gas fireplace, you can’t go wrong with a direct vent fireplace, which has very decent heat output, flames enclosed behind glass for safety, a blower to evenly heat your room, and air quality produced by outdoor venting. the b-vent fireplace offer nostalgia, ambiance, and an opportunity to emphasize the aesthetic surround of the fireplace as it relates to decorating your space.

Learn more about our gas fireplaces in our gallery section, or visit one of our two showrooms to see each one in person. Contact us today for sizes and pricing!

 

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