Corner Ventless Gas Fireplaces

Perhaps you might recall a few years ago people becoming ill or being asphyxiated when running emergency gas or kerosene heaters in their homes during blackouts. Even though similar heaters have been used in homes since shortly after 1854, houses were not as airtight in those days as they are now. Ventless kerosene and gas heaters are still used by groups such as the Amish who do not accept getting connected to the grid, but modern homes with their airtight windows and doors and super-insulated walls do not breath like older homes.

If you are running any kind of heater, including your corner ventless gas fireplace, be sure to provide a source of fresh air. This can be a moderately open window or a common stove vent. While it might seem counter-intuitive to run a heater while introducing cold air, it is far better for your health.

Never run a ventless heater – including that corner fireplace – while you are sleeping. Someone should always be awake to monitor the flame. For any type of flame heat, vented or unvented, it is a good idea to invest in a carbon monoxide detector – just to be sure. Most modern ventless heaters have a built-in oxygen depletion sensor that will shut the heater off if ambient oxygen drops too low.

When directions are correctly followed, your ventless corner gas fireplace can provide emergency warmth, and it can create general ambiance for your home. Several different looks are available, ranging from an imitation black stove from Lowes Lumber Company to a sophisticated corner flame that burns bio-ethanol for a minimal gaseous output. In between these two extremes are traditional fireplaces where the flame is framed by stone or wood, with a mantel above. Or you might favor a southwestern USA style, with a shallow fire pit and high, arched opening. You can even get ventless fireplaces that are part of a corner cabinet, with the flame two or three feet above the floor. This might be a good choice for a family with small children or pets.

Many modern ventless fireplaces use bio-fuel ethanol rather than propane or kerosene. While burning ethanol will still deplete the oxygen in a room, it puts off far fewer ambient gases. Commercial bio-ethanol has a bittering agent added to deter accidental ingestion. When directions are followed, bio-fuel ethanol is by far the safest fuel for unvented heaters in the home. It is also used as fuel for TIKI torches and chaffing dishes, as well as Zippo lighters.

A corner ventless gas fireplace can be an enjoyable addition to your home and can provide emergency heat in the event of a blackout. Always read your user’s manual before operating, always open a window for air exchange, and use only the manufacturer’s recommended fuel.