Vented Gas Logs Vs Gas Insert

Also like a gas log you usually need an existing fireplace or chimney to install.

Vented gas logs vs gas insert.

This is so that it can both take in air from the outside and then vent out the by products from the flames inside the fire box. Vented gas logs are ideal if you value ambience over efficiency or if you have an existing wood burning fireplace that you want to convert to gas. However all vented gas logs will create some soot just like burning real wood does. Vented gas fireplaces are not as flexible as ventless gas fireplaces.

This is not as flexible as a ventless gas fireplace. Gas insert fireplaces are only lit by a switch that ignites the burner. In order to install a vented gas fireplace you must use a chimney or an exterior wall. Vented gas log fireplaces have smoke and soot and require chimneys and chimney cleaning.

Vented gas logs are the best way to achieve a realistic looking fire. Gas inserts are available in a variety of sizes and heating capacities so you can purchase and install one that suits the heating needs of your specific living space. They are more expensive than gas logs but less expensive than a fully built in gas fireplace. Gas inserts are the middle option in terms of price.

As a result gas inserts are much more efficient heaters than gas log sets with efficiency rated between 70 85. They are designed for use in a traditional wood burning fireplace and are a safe mess free alternative to real wood logs. After being in the fireplace business for over 25 years and personally installing over 3 000 gas logs i can say without a shadow of a doubt that vented gas logs are going to be much more realistic in appearance than ventless logs. One thing to keep in mind when weighing a gas insert vs gas logs is while inserts burn very clean and only need a small flexible heat resistant pipe for the chimney the gas logs will need a larger chimney to vent away the soot and smoke that is produced.

Ventless log sets if you re looking to add a supplemental efficient heat source to your home you may want to go with a vent free gas log set. Like gas logs and gas fireplaces your gas insert comes in the vented and vent free models.