Direct Vent Insert For Gas Log Insert -- Advice?

I would study carefully the literature for any units being considered; they may already know the best ideas and any limitations. Then, after all is said and done and installed, I would put in a CO detector. There are too many variations, especially in existing construction, to ensure that one set of instructions fits all situations.

This unit got really good reviews on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Peterson%20Real%20Fyre%2024-inch%20Post%20Oak%20Log%20Set%20With%20Vented%20Natural%20Gas%20G4%20Burner%20-%20Match%20Light

Best place to start is a local fireplace expert that have gas inserts. They will be able to give you all sorts of profession advice. Then from there you can decide where and what you need.

Purchase one with a good reputation backed by a qualified technician and I would prefer one with an outside air source for combustion. This will increase efficiency by not using heated house air for that purpose. equally important are quality detectors in the home for safety. CO2, Monoxide etc.

Thanks for the response -- any suggestions of manufactures with a "good reputation"?

I would suggest contacting several local heating contractors and see if you can get references from homeowners. Possibly ( Consumer Reports ) or similar organization can provide some technical details. Local is better but the info should be on the net for a start.

http://www.hearthnhome.com/ These guys have the best products and will even do custom units.

I would not consider a vented log set for any reason. In our area the flue must be locked open 30% which cost energy all year round and allow down drafts which stink.

My recommendation would be a ventless log set. They are 101% efficient and do not generate CO. At lease one CO detector near the bedroom is a must in any fuel burning home. Ventless do not cost you energy, they provide real heat and the 1% ABOVE is the water vapor that they add to humidify you home making it feel more comefy and warmer.

These are only style I suggest to my customers. OH and be sure to get one with a fan unit. Your best prices are at the big box stores and online. Dont skimp on the gas piping, be sure its code!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woody

Ventless? Where does the combustion air come from, and where do the combustion products go?

Gas logs come in two types vented and ventless or unvented. Natural gas combustion that is not interrupted is clean and does not generate CO. Think of the gas stove in the kitchen. The heating difference is at least 2x. Enjoy Woody

http://www.gaslogguys.com/category_path_2165.html?source=adwords&gclid=CLaa4JPWs7QCFcXb4AodzHMAYA

Vent-less units are forbidden in many jurisdictions. They can malfunction and produce CO, which goes straight into the house. I have seen many vented log sets that have failed for various reasons (usually poor installation), the CO went out side. Lots of people use their fireplaces for days at a time. I do not know of any one that leaves their oven on for the same period. I have a gas stove and I made a point of putting in a exhaust fan that went out side. This was to prevent excess humidity and to vent all the combustion products out of the house.

That still doesn't answer the questions of supply air and exhaust destination. (Nor do the intervening posts.)

Supply air is from the room that it is in and exhaust destination is the same space! They are supposed to have a device that causes the pilot flame to waver away from the thermo couple when the oxygen content in the air drops to a certain level, thus shutting the unit off.

There is no way that I will trust any thing that may delete oxygen and or create CO in an enclosed space with out a secondary failsafe.

California is the only state that restricts the ventless heaters. More factual data here.

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/ventless/

Merry Christmas to you all Woody

California is not the only place unvented or "ventless" units are prohibited. They are also prohibited in most of the Northern states and provinces. They kill too many people.

Kingsman makes several log sets that I have used over the years. Yet to have a failure. The down side of a vented log-set is that you have to either remove the flue damper or lock it open. There is considerable energy loss as warm air is always flowing up the chimney. Consider a sealed combustion insert. They have two 3" parallel vents that fit inside a standard 8 X 8 flue. One is combustion air and the other is exhaust. They meet coaxially at the top. The cap assembly seals the top of the chimney.

The gas line is always a pain to install. If you are lucky and there was an enforced code when your fireplace was built, there should be a combustion air supply that you can use too run the gas from out side in.

Thanks for the great response. Had planned to seal at the top of the flue exit but was wondering if I should seal where the 2 -- 3" lines go through the 6x32 damper opening [damper is easy to fully remove]. Fortunately, I installed a gas line into the fireplace years ago when I converted it to a set of gas logs. The gas logs although fully vented always produced a slight combustion gas smell in the house. Enough to be a problem for my wife.