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Chimney & Fireplaces/Steel firebox for vent free gas logs

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Expert: - 9/23/2009


Question
Hello. I have an older house with a wood burning fireplace that is unusable (chimney tiles are cracked). The fireplace is vertically oriented (taller than wide) so most gas inserts won't fit. I bought some vent free gas logs and was wondering if they will safely work in the existing firebox or if I would need to build a steel liner for the firebox? Also with the flue closed will the heat move into our living room or should I also install a blower? Thanks.

Answer
Erik,

I'm not a fan of ventless appliances. That being said, When working as intended, they are apparently safe. The issue is when they fall from being operational and safe, you will not know, like when your vented appliances failed. Many in the industry refer to ventless and "lung vented" appliance. You can get a custom faceplate made for many inserts and I would recommend you look into that. Contact a qualified installer and have your existing system inspected by a professional. Please feel free to use the links at the bottom of my home page to find these professionals, at www.brooks-hearth.com. Best of luck with your fireplace.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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