Ventless or Vented Gas Logs: Which One Should I Choose?

Gas fireplaces, gas logs, and other heating products are great appliances to have installed for the winter for your Cape Cod home. If you want the warmth of a real fire without having to manage a real wood burning fireplace, a gas fireplace, gas log set, or gas insert could be right for you. So, if you haven’t yet decided between any of those three heating products, check out our blog post on the advantages of gas logs vs. gas inserts vs. gas fireplaces. Once you decide on a heating product, you will have to decide between two venting options: ventless or vented gas logs.

So, what are the pros and cons of each one? In this blog post, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option for ventless or vented gas logs. In future posts, we will look at ventless and vented options for gas fireplaces and gas inserts as well. Continue reading to learn more.

Vented Gas Logs Advantages

There are several advantages to choosing to install a set of vented gas logs into your home. Here are the top 4 advantages of using this solution:

1. Installed in Existing Fireplace with Working Chimney

If you have a fully functioning wood-burning fireplace, you can install a vented gas log into your existing setup. There is no need for any construction or remodeling of your fireplace. It will just be installed right inside your existing firebox. Vented gas logs are like a wood-burning fireplace, in that they produce carbon monoxide. This is why you need a working chimney – so that those fumes can be properly vented to the outside (and not the inside of your house).

2. More Realistic Flame

Vented gas logs produce the best aesthetic of a real wood burning fireplace. The realism of the vented gas logs will be better than those in ventless gas log sets. Yellow flames are usually taller than the ones in vent-free gas log sets too.

3. You Can Rearrange the Logs in Any Position

There is flexibility in your vented gas log set with how you arrange the logs. These can be moved around into any position, as long as there is enough room for airflow. Accessories are available for full customization too. You will see later on that this is not the same for vent-free gas logs.

4. Vented Gas Logs Are More Affordable Than Ventless Gas Logs

Vented gas logs are usually more affordable and carry a lower price point than ventless gas logs. So, if your budget is more limited, a vented gas log installation might be the solution for you.

Vented Gas Logs Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages of doing a vented gas log installation. Here are the top 3 disadvantages that you need to be aware of:

1. Can Only Install into Existing Fireplace

Quite simply, if you do not have an existing wood-burning fireplace, you cannot install a vented gas log set. This is not a product you can install any other way.

2. Vented Gas Log Sets Lose More Heat

Since vented gas logs produce carbon monoxide, the damper or flue of the fireplace needs to be open. This is so the carbon monoxide does not get inside the house. As a result of the damper or flue being open, you will lose a lot of heat to the outside of your home through the chimney. So, vented gas logs are mainly considered a decorative heating product, being used for aesthetics or looks.

3. More Gas Is Used

Due to losing a majority of the heat up the chimney, vented gas log sets will also use more heat. That is because the damper is open for the chimney. Vented gas logs are inefficient when compared to ventless options. So, your gas bill may be higher with the vented gas logs.

Ventless Gas Logs Advantages

Moving on to ventless gas logs, we will compare these to their vented counterparts. Here are the top advantages of the ventless or vent-free gas log sets:

1. Chimney Not Required

Unlike vented gas logs, ventless gas logs do not need a chimney or flue to discard emissions. You certainly can still use a wood-burning fireplace with a chimney, but that is not the only way to do it. So, ventless gas log sets are also available for installation in homes without chimneys.

2. More Heat

Ventless gas logs produce more heat than vented gas logs. This is because you do not have to have a chimney or flue open. As a result, more heat stays in the home. So, you can probably heat a lot of your home with a ventless gas log set.

3. More Environmentally Friendly

Ventless gas logs are more environmentally friendly because the fuel burns almost completely, producing less pollution. This makes a lot of sense, because it would have to be this way, in order to emit everything to the inside of your house.

4. Use Less Fuel Than Vented Gas Logs

Since they are more efficient at heating your home, a ventless gas log set will use much less fuel and keep your monthly gas down down. So, if low energy costs are important to you, then this could be the way to go.

Ventless Gas Logs Disadvantages:

There are some disadvantages of installing ventless gas logs into your home. Here are the top 3 disadvantages:

1. Less Realistic Looking Fire

Ventless gas logs are usually less realistic looking than a vented gas log set. If you are mainly looking for an aesthetic, you should go with the vented gas logs. However, if you prefer warmth over aesthetics, go with the ventless option.

2. Not Always Allowed

Some states do not allow the installation of ventless gas logs. We are not aware of any towns in Massachusetts not permitting them. However, there are minimum cubic foot and CO alarm requirements. Make sure you consult with a local heating product specialist, like Breakaway, to find out what you can do in your region. Then, get the professional heating company to install it according to code.

3. Not Flexible with How the Gas Logs are Installed

In order to avoid carbon monoxide emissions, the flame must avoid touching the logs. As a result, there is no flexibility in rearranging the way the log set looks. Whatever way it comes from the manufacturer is how it will stay. Make sure you pick out a ventless gas log set that you like from the start, because there will be no changing it later.

3. More Expensive Than Vented Gas Logs

As we mentioned above, vent-free gas logs are more expensive than their vented gas log counterparts. So, depending on the size of your budget, ventless gas logs could work for you.

Ventless or Vented Gas Logs: Which One Is Right For You?

So, after all of this explanation, which one should you choose between ventless or vented gas logs? It all depends on your situation and needs. Do you have a fireplace to install the gas log set? Are you looking for warmth or realism? Are energy efficiency or lower gas costs important to you? There is a lot to consider when choosing any heating product. If you are still not sure which one to pick, ask a heating professional at Breakaway. We would be happy to walk you through the buying process.

Cape Cod’s #1 Heating Product Superstore: Breakaway

Breakaway is your go-to source for heating solutions on Cape Cod. We carry and install both types of gas log sets, which can be the perfect hearth product to complement your home. Our experienced staff is prepared to help you select the right model. We also arrange your installation through our parent company, Hall Oil Gas And Electric. And, if you are interested in learning more about our other heating products, such as gas fireplaces, decorative gas stoves, or gas inserts, Breakaway carries these as well.

Breakaway will travel all over Cape Cod to install ventless or vented gas logs. Whether you are located in Sandwich, Hyannis, Chatham, Orleans, or elsewhere, we’ve got your covered. You can visit Breakaway at one of our stores in South Dennis or Mashpee, call us at 508-398-3831, or contact us below to learn about the best ventless or vented gas logs available for your home.