Benefits of Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces

April 3, 2019

What is a Direct Vent Fireplace?

A direct vent fireplace uses outside air for combustion instead of the air from within your home. A dual chamber flue system both brings in cold air in one chamber and expels exhaust through the other chamber. The result is a highly efficient fireplace that is able to minimize heat loss through the flue and put more of that heat back into your home keeping your home full of warm, clean air. Direct Vent gas fireplaces can be operated safely without the use of electricity.

A direct vent fireplace has a completely sealed combustion chamber which allows it to vent directly out a side wall or through the ceiling of your home. A direct vent fireplace uses the natural principal of warm air rising to create negative pressure in the system to draw in cold air for combustion. A sealed firebox prevents cold air from entering your home when the fireplace is not in use and increases the efficiency of the fire while burning.

Key Benefits of Direct Vent Fireplaces

  • Vent through roof or the side of your home
  • Increased heating efficiency
  • Increased Safety
  • Uses outside air for combustion
  • Keeps your home warmer

A Direct Vent Gas Fireplace keeps your home warmer, increases efficiency, and reduces the amount of wasted energy.

Please note: Air is still used from inside the room for Direct Vent and Power Vent models, however this air is used to circulate heat and never enters the firebox.
 

Where can I Put a Direct Vent Fireplace?

One of the best features of a direct vent fireplace is its flexibility in installation. Where a natural vent fireplace needs to be vented vertically only, a direct vent fireplace can vented through your roof or a side wall of your home. This means you can essentially place your fireplace within any room including a bathroom, basement, bedroom, kitchen, and of course living room! For very large rooms and/or commercial installations however, a Power Vent may be needed.
Diagram of how Diret vent fireplaces workDirect Vent vs Power Vent Fireplaces

A power vented fireplace uses a fan powered accessory to force air into the combustion chamber forcing the exhaust out. Where a direct vent relies on the natural pressure difference created from warm air leaving a sealed firebox to draw air in for combustion. A Power Vent allows for more installation flexibility. Power venting can zig-zag with multiple bends, can travel longer distances, and can also vent below the fireplace – perfect for large home or commercial applications.
Diagram of how Power vent fireplaces work
Direct Vent vs B-Vent (Natural Vent) Fireplaces

A B-Vent fireplace, or natural fireplace, uses the air inside your home for combustion and vents emissions through a single flue. Air is drawn into the firebox from inside your home, used in combustion, and released through a vertical flue. A B-Vent fireplace is less efficient as it is using warm air from inside your home for combustion as opposed to a Direct Vent system which uses cold exterior air for combustion, keeping your home warmer.
Diagram of how Natural vent fireplaces workDirect Vent vs Ventless Fireplaces

A Ventless fireplace is a fireplace that does not require any venting. Instead of expelling emissions outside of the home they are simply allowed to remain in the home, causing potential safety issues. As there are safety concerns with Ventless gas fireplaces there are very strict installation requirements and regional restrictions. Ventless fireplaces can only be sold in the USA but not Canada.
Diagram of how ventless fireplaces workFind A Direct Vent Gas Fireplace

Regency offers many direct vent gas fireplaces in all shapes and sizes. These include our following lines of gas fireplaces:

Key Terms:
  • Direct Vent – a two-chambered venting system that uses outside air for combustion, pulling air in through one tube and expelling emissions through the other.
  • Power Vent – a two-chambered venting system that uses outside air for combustion similar to a Direct Vent system however, it uses a small motor to force air circulation within the venting system.
  • Natural Vent (B-Vent) – a single chambered venting system that uses air from within your home for combustion and releases emissions through a vertical flue.
  • Ventless – A fireplace with no venting using air from within the room for combustion and releasing the emissions into the room as well.
  • Combustion Air – Air used specifically for the combustion reaction of a fire.
  • Room Air Intake – The channel for air to circulate around a sealed firebox, warming and re-entering the room.
  • Radiant Heat – The heat that is emitted from the fireplace naturally, warming the surrounding area without the need for air circulation.