Unvented Natural Gas Fireplaces

[verizonbear]

The house I am buying has an un-vented natural gas fireplace in the finished basement that is likely 30 years old. It is manual and does not have the oxygen depletion auto shut off. I am asking a 500.00 concession from the seller for this. Should I

1. Buy a new natural gas fireplace insert that will have the oxygen depletion detector?

2. Scrap the whole gas set up and put in an electric one?

You feedback would be helpful and appreciated!!!

 

[coldspot]

What I would do is if it is for heat use and not just looks. Go for a vent insert if that would work in the area. If not then I would go electric but a 220 volt unit if for heat. A 110 unit would be a energy hog.

 

[retro-man]

We have 2 gas fireplaces and would never use them without the chimney open. I can't believe that this house has it in it. Did you have a home inspection done? If so I am suprised that they let this go by. This is a very dangerous situation. The manual that came with mine and the parts that came with it have a block that you put into the damper so you can't close is 100%. I have rented homes that have these and there is a permanent placard on the fireplace that states do not operate unless damper is fully open. I would love to keep the fireplace but it would have to be exhausted to outside (direct venting) or to a chimney. If not available to do so then go with the electric. I have been looking at electric fireplaces and they have come a long way. The newer ones with the mantel built around it aren't bad looking and you can have the fire without the heater running so you can use it year round.
Jon

 

[jamiel]

I threw a big operatic hissy fit when buying this house with an unvented gas heater in the basement; made them take it out as a condition of sale. They scare me!!!!

 

[yogitunes]

I would go with the contingency of either money to replace, or have them replace it first with an updated one........ventless are fine, just a few limitations, not in an enclosed bedroom, but a basement is fine.......if anything, have the fire inspector give you a free look/see as to the dangers or the current system........

never go on the advice of the inspectors for heating/air, especially if the sellers are paying him.....get your own inspector!

plus consider in the price of 500.00....is that enough to cover the whole cost of complete replacement?

 

[petek]

How is it any different than having an unvented gas stove in the kitchen? Mind you I wouldn't want it. I'd probably shut the gas off and use it sporadically. Our house when we bought it had a gas log insert in the livingroom fireplace and the damper was locked open (by code I imagine). No wonder the previous owners gas bill was around $300 monthly on the equal payment plan. I turned the gas off and closed the damper. That was 5 years ago almost and we've never used it since.

 

[mattl]

The typical home is no where near sealed, lots of air leaks all the time.  I'd have no issues with an unvented gas log set, as long as it was truly designed that way.  NOTE: these are meant to be used this way, VB is not talking about a standard gas log that is not vented.  You might look into updating just the control valve to one with a sensor, I have not looked into the cost of those.  That might be a way to go, I certaily would not raise a stink about the situation, just ask for a retrofit.

 

The one thing that needs to be mentioned is that the unvented log do put out some moisture, in the winter this can be beneficial.

 

I have a set of these logs that I picked up cheap with the intention of installing them in my basement, but it's a very low priority project.

 

[blackstone]

Replace it with a direct-vent gas heater

I have these in my house. The vent goes directly through the wall. Not sure about basement installation and length of venting, but direct vent is preferable to no-vent, in my opinion. Ventless might even be illegal in Mass.

Picture shows heater with front doors closed. With doors open, artificial logs are visible behind glass, with the gas fire underneath the logs. This model made by Hearthstone.

 

[verizonbear]

Home Inspection

I did have a home inspection and that the first thing he listed on his report. It is a code violation to have unvented natural gas fireplace without the oxygen depletion valve on the burner. It's a large room and the stairwell is not closed off from the main floor with a door so there is plenty of room for air, also I would plan on cracking open one of the basement windows when it is used. There are smoke alarms already installed, I plan to suppliment with carbon monoxcide detectors on both levels just to be safe.