| There's nothing like the warm glow of a fireplace | | | | The flame never "touches" the indoor air because |
| when it's cold outside. Just the appearance of a | | | | it is isolated by a solid glass front. As the glass |
| real fire flame can warm any living space. But a | | | | gets hot, soft radiant heat energy is emitted into |
| direct vent fireplace can offer a whole lot more. | | | | the living space of the home that, over time, |
| When used properly, a direct vent fireplace can | | | | heats the surrounding air. |
| act as the sole heating source in some homes | | | | In reality, a direct vent fireplace is a heater, but is |
| and save a bundle in home heating costs. In fact, | | | | only about 70% efficient. Most are not even |
| a 25,000 BTU direct vent fireplace can heat up to | | | | heater-rated. So, here's the key to energy |
| a 1500 square ft. one-floor living space. | | | | savings: Instead of letting your 100,000 BTU gas |
| How can heating with a fireplace save me | | | | furnace(s) blow warm air into every room, nook |
| money? | | | | and cranny of the house, why not just heat the |
| First, we're not talking about any fireplace, but | | | | room where you spend the most time? This is |
| specifically a direct vent fireplace. Direct vent | | | | called "zone heating" and is a practical method to |
| fireplaces operate differently than an open hearth | | | | decrease your living expenses during the cold |
| fireplace. An open hearth fireplace (commonly | | | | months. |
| called a B Vent) is characterized by a log set | | | | I have a direct vent fireplace in the family room |
| inside an open front masonry or rated fire box. A | | | | located on the main level of our house. This space |
| B vent is primarily for appearance, not for heating | | | | is used for entertainment, reading and eating |
| the space. It combusts the indoor air and can | | | | (since the room is attached to the kitchen and |
| actually cool the air in living space. That's because | | | | dining area). We spend at least 85% of our time |
| already heated air is drawn from the living space | | | | in this area of the home during the winter. Two |
| up through the flue or chimney to the outside. | | | | bedrooms, two bathrooms, a formal living room |
| What is a direct vent fireplace? | | | | and an office are all connected to this space. As |
| Unlike a "B" vent fireplace, a direct vent fireplace | | | | long as doorways are open to the main family |
| is characterized by: | | | | living area, the fireplace will warm those areas |
| 1) A solid glass door that isolates the burner and | | | | also. |
| log set from the inside of the home. | | | | The first principle of thermal dynamics is "heat |
| 2) A concentric flue. With this flue, an exhaust | | | | seeks cold". As long as there are cold pockets in |
| pipe sits inside the air intake pipe (a pipe within a | | | | rooms or adjacent spaces, the heat from your |
| pipe). | | | | fireplace will attack those cold spots. It may take |
| Instead of combusting heated inside air, all of the | | | | a bit longer than your furnace system, but over |
| combustion air enters the firebox from outside | | | | time your space will become warm and |
| through the outer pipe. Flue gas emissions are | | | | comfortable. A ceiling paddle fan can help circulate |
| expelled to the outside through the inner pipe. | | | | the heated air to adjacent living spaces. |
| Most new fireplaces sold are direct vent, | | | | This winter, keep your furnace(s) turned down or |
| especially in new residential homes. | | | | turned off more often and use your direct vent |
| A direct vent (concentric) flue can be vented | | | | fireplace as your primary heat source. While we |
| through the wall or roof with a single 7" or 8" hole. | | | | can't guarantee that it will heat your entire home, |
| All of the combustion takes place inside of a | | | | it can dramatically lower your monthly heating bill. |
| self-contained box housing the burner and log set. | | | | Give it a try. |