An efficient heat source with low contaminants and useful humidity in return for a little higher gas bill than in a modern house. That furnace gave me no problem. Believe it or not such studies actually matter and anything less is just talk, regardless of the amount of education and experience the person doing the talking might have. 99 Each time you start your gas fireplace, you’ll notice some condensation on the glass. Thank You. Another likely symptom is nausea. lOL. I've written about combustion safety here in the Energy Vanguard Blog a number of times and will continue to do so because it's such an important part of building science and home performance. Learn about the signs and symptoms of a gas leak and what to do if one occurs in the home. A tight house the moisture added alone can be a problem. If you smell or hear a gas leak in your home, don't delay. More of a chemical odor. In extreme cases, this could lead to unconsciousness. 1. (Headache is … Before we get into the fun stuff, let me address the question of how to determine if your gas fireplace is vented or not, just in case. If you believe your home has gas leaks, don't do anything that could cause a spark and don't use any electronic devices. had it serviced couple times since, they told us that smell was from a bad gasket. As homeowners doing their research find out the truth and turn away from these ventless gas fireplaces, homes become safer. How about a study of a few dozen (or preferably hundreds) of various makes and models of unvented appliances (blue flame, radiant, fireplace), noting the BTU's of the unit, cubic feet and R-value of the room and the CO and CO2 measurements in fifteen minute increments over a period of, say, eight hours? I decided to upgrade to natural gas to save on fuel costs. ran fine up until 3 years ago then started getting that oder from it giving headaches and burning eyes. Carbon monoxide is a product of the incomplete combustion of fuel gases. I think I'll turn the fireplace off until the gas company can come out to check it out though. Bob: "Lung-vented" is a good term for them! Call your utility, Fire Department (911 can get you any first responder, tell them what the issue might be and they can get you the right team in place; EMT's also carry sensors sometimes.) That Cozy Fire Could Be Hazardous to Your Health. Check them regularly. Our commitment to continuous improvement of analytical sensing systems is the key to our steadily expanding monitoring capability, and provides our users with the power of reliable information. I held my breath & he agreed. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, but it can kill you. What is the scope of the project? The larger problem is the health effects of the other pollutants that may not cause you to feel sick, but have an effect on your health. They were originally wood burning, but have been converted to gas. Some NO 2 is always produced in a burning flame, the amount depending on burner size and design. That furnace gave me no problem. I would like a ventless but have read about the dangers of carbon monoxide etc. A broken chimney connector pipe or a rusted heat exchanger can produce the same hazardous result. If ventless gas exhausts lots of water vapor, why is not this good for a dry house in the winter? Get Email Offers. She had told him go to BMC and get the facts, that she was not crazy that the logs were making her head hurt and making her sick. I also know, however, that plenty of people with unvented gas fireplaces complain of headaches and other problems. If you're suffering from both, establish if there's a leak. Many gas companies add a deliberately unpleasant odor to their gas lines. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can lead to symptoms similar to those caused by a gas leak. During the operation of a ventless gas fireplace, oxygen from the room is used up for combustion of the fuel. re: ventless fireplace inserts. Everyone else in the house is feeling a little sick, but my wife and I have bad headaches. John P.: I like the seatbelt story. That usually gets peoples attention. To avoid an attack, wear sunglasses and a wide hat, don't skip meals, and keep yourself hydrated. Many homes use natural gas for heat, hot water, and home appliances. The answer is quite simple. If there is a leak in your home, one of the first signs might be a headache. I think it's because a lot of people are looking to understand the issues. Depletion of Oxygen. Mar 27, 2018 Selese H Accessories & Accents, Inside the Firebox. Nearby are MSA CO sensors and one aircraft-grade 1ppm sensor that have never registered anything but zero. I also know, however, that plenty of people with unvented gas fireplaces complain of headaches and other problems. Several years ago I sat across the table from a builder attempting to win the largest project we had ever had (1500 Energy Star homes). I'm sure if the manufacturers haven't been sued into oblivion yet that apparently these things aren't quite as unsafe as they seem, but based on my intuition anything ventless that burns enough of anything containing carbon to considerably heat up a room seems like CO poisoning waiting to happen. Thank you for the A2A Pankaj Sharma Yes it can be a reason. Ask them if they do gas and wood installations. Finding the right contractor to install your fireplace can be quite a headache if you don't organize and prioritize. If they do, this could suggest there's a problem. I also know, however, that plenty of people with unvented gas fireplaces complain of headaches and other problems. Natural vent fireplaces rely on a metal pipe to ventilate the fireplace, which runs through the roof of the home. A type of gas fireplace to avoid in Canadian housing-the vent-free gas fireplace-is available in the United States. This device measures the amount of oxygen in a room-20.9 percent being … Now, what was that you were saying about providing some kind of evidence? Venting a fireplace is especially complicated in retrofit installations, where it can be … Low doses over time take a toll. Go promptly to a neighbor's house and call in a professional who can confirm the problem. Todd Vendituoli, a contractor/blogger in Vermont/Bahamas, commented in the Bob Vila article that he lost a job because the client wouldn't hear of a vented model. Consider replacing open-flued gas heaters with room-sealed gas heaters or split systems at the next opportunity. Minutes after it fires up, I get a terrible headache and can smell a metallic gassy smell in the house. It can cause all sorts of health problems ranging from mild headaches to death. Well done again Allison. The gas industry reacted with a vengence and was able to get the standard changed to say nothing about these appliances that put moisture, carbon dioxide and on occasion NOX and CO into homes. Since the house is less ventilated, you'll come into contact with a lot more of the gas, leading to symptoms of nausea. A professional will assist you with scope and estimates, but having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish will help communication. Consumers enjoy the look of a real fireplace without the need to harvest or purchase cords of firewood, and clean up the mess left behind after loading them into the fireplace. I have tried to tighten insulation around my 1940 brick rambler, but it will never be a modern house. I'll be using that one. A fireplace dealer who refuses to sell unvented fireplaces. Ranges are used a lot more often that gas fireplaces, I suspect. Robert -- A leaky house in a dry climate may not have moisture problems given the drying on the warm days. Consider purchasing a natural gas leak detector for your home. John P.: Thanks for your comments. Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Thank you for the A2A Pankaj Sharma Yes it can be a reason. Enter your email to receive email and other commercial electronic messages about the latest news, promotions, special offers and other information from Costco, regarding Costco, its affiliates and selected partners. One of the less advertised gases that can be dangerous to your home is water vapor. All good points. If you are serious about steering people away from unvented fireplaces and heaters (and I assume you are), you have to lay off the unverifiable scare tactics and reliance on post hoc ergo propter hoc and start presenting hard data to support your claims. Ventless gas fireplaces are highly beneficial and also cost less than traditional furnaces and heaters. It prevents your blood from carrying oxygen. Three months after it was installed my daughter had her first seizure. I prefer the term 'ventless' or, even better, 'unvented.' All it takes is a little elbow grease, a few tools, and some fireplace paint ($25, The Home Depot).Ensure the paint you choose is rated for high temperatures and use on brick surfaces. First of all, let's call it what it really is. © 2020, Energy Vanguard | 533 West Howard Avenue, Suite E, Decatur, GA 30030, http://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/forum/topics/canadian-study-of-gas, Combustion Safety 101: Three Types of Problems, How to Make a High-MERV DIY Portable Air Cleaner, How to Make a Good High-MERV Filter Even Better, 10 Consequences of Keeping Your Home Really Cold in Summer, Ten Years of Building Science Summer Camp, My Duct Systems on Low-Static Mini-Split Air Handlers, Even when working perfectly, they put a lot of water vapor into the house. As Bumpers wrote to me, "We will never stop trying to make sure the consumer has the facts about ventfree products.". Hi, I have a "unvented" fireplace. I wonder about this. A humidifier does the same thing. GASPRO Fireplace Ceramic Log Set for All Types Fireplace and Fire Pits, Electric, Gas, Propane, Ventless, Vented, Indoor & Outdoor, Realistic and Safe - 10 Piece 4.4 out of 5 stars 16 $85.99 $ 85 . However, the working mechanism of these devices exposes people in the vicinity to some dangers and health concerns. The answer is quite simple. See the Table of Contents for the most helpful book you’ll ever find for both gas fireplaces and wood fireplaces. I am allergic to burning wood whether it is in a fireplace or not so if you are getting migraines it is because you have a sensitivity to the smoke. The others would like to do it, he told me, but they don't have the money for it yet. Find out all this and more with our informative article on gas fireplace logs! There is no smell with the logs taken out. With any fireplace installation, a major issue is venting the exhaust gases, whether it is simple smoke from a wood-burning fireplace, or the exhaust fumes produces when you burn gas. Renting a thermal imaging camera may be possible, but unless you've had training, it may not be helpful to you, and it could even give you misleading results. He reached out to me to tell me that every year in the heating season, they get a lot of complaints from people who have ventless gas fireplaces in their homes. Our goal at ATI is to help provide our customers with the knowledge needed to ensure a safe and healthy environment. The hydrocarbon components of gasoline make it poisonous. All unvented gas heaters, even when burning properly, produce large concentrations of carbon dioxide, raising the levels of in the house. I know that natural gas is among the cleanest burning of fossil fuels, but that's only true under optimal conditions: well designed, clean nozzles, etc. You can't see it or taste it, which is why it's called the silent killer. While … At high concentrations it can cause sleepiness, headache, and contribute to the “stuffy” feeling of closed houses. The fact of the matter is that vent-free, gas burning fireplaces and other other appliances definitely DO emit elemental gasses into the home, including carbon dioxide (Not a huge deal. Why is this article so popular? I live in Northern California where many small houses and definitely apartments do not have central heat but instead small gas heaters, and as far as I've seen, even the smaller ones of those are always vented. Your risk for headache rises by 7.5% with every 5°C rise in temperature. The door blower seems easy enough, but my real problem is lack of insulation in the ceiling which would require the gun. We have a gas fireplace in our living room, but maitenance shut it off months ago when we first moved in. John N.: Well, Kansas must be doing better than Georgia then. I always use that argument as well as pointing out that they're illegal in something like 16 states & Canada. You might also be able to hear a distinct hissing sound coming from a gas appliance. Preventing Gas Fireplace Smells. It's hard to refuse work, but I'd rather stand on principle and go broke than do things that I know are unsafe. Photo of sick person by akeg from flickr.com, used under a Creative Commons license. I got a 80,000 BTU Trane XT95 gas furnace installed, direct vent. 4 to 6 hours is way, way, way too long. In future blogs you might also include "The Vented Fireplace In A Negative Pressure Room" ... a close cousin of the unvented fireplace. @Bradley  As best I know they are not convertible to venting. Just because occupants don't complain, they can be affected. Who do we contact to replace in the Austin/central Texas area. I know it's unlikely that these things will go away anytime soon, but the more people find out about these problems, the better. According to Magic Sweep Corporation, when a newly installed unit first is turned on, there will be an odor for approximately four to eight hours, if the vent-free fireplace has gas logs. I started running vaporizers or humidifiers when I run the fireplace and now I’m not getting headaches or sick. Q: Jason – I have a gas fireplace and I get a headache and get sick every time I run it for a long period of time. 1. How is a ventless fireplace different than a furnace where the exhaust is ran straight into the living space? Carbon Monoxide alert    Recirculating Range Hoods — As Effective As Recirculating Toilets    Steve W.: Well, I sure hope Canadians are obsessed with heating, at least next week when I'll be in Toronto! Allow the gas logs to cure. Doesn't it make sense, then, that every gas kitchen range should have a range hood that vents to the outside (and that is turned on every time the stove is used). Do you have an article on a gas fireplace that could be installed in an older brick chimney which would be efficient? Ventless gas fireplaces have become popular because of their convenience and economy. You can read the full article by clicking the link above, but let me repeat the main reasons that ventless gas fireplaces are bad: If you read the articles I linked to and the comments, you'll see that there's a very good reason that you won't find people who understand building science recommending these things. Yes, I know that some people love them and have never had a problem with theirs. Toxic gasses emitted include deadly carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide -- a gas particularly harmful to those with asthma. At the time he wrote, he said he had a man in his showroom whose wife sent him there to "get the correct information about their ventfree logs they have in there home. A: BE, I don’t mean to be an alarmist here, but you have a very serious problem with your fireplace. I have an existing fireplace that i want to convert to an insert. The closest trained energy auditor is 50 miles away, so I may have to do this myself. If you are using propane, knowing the symptoms of … PS: I'll give you point regarding moisture because everyone knows that water vapor is a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion. Gas fireplaces are generally considered cleaner than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, but they can also pollute indoor air quality if not properly vented. 1. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Allison, if i post a fact/experience-argument that refutes this campaign against these devices, will you close this blog too claiming that commenters with vested or commercial interests that do not align with yours have invaded the blog? Excess… If you smoke, take it outside. Sometimes they can be tension-type headaches or sinus too. If there's a hole, it's vented. I have yet to find a new home builder installing an unvented appliance. We all just have to keep speaking the truth. Toward this goal, we strive to develop and produce the highest quality instruments available. Nate A.: You're welcome, Nate. Fires are cozy, but they can cause lung problems if you have a history of lung disease. Husband began having severe headaches, … Robert T.: It looks like Skye And John Proctor addressed most of your questions. Minutes after it fires up, I get a terrible headache and can smell a metallic gassy smell in the house. So do we!) If you won’t be using your fireplace that often, one with a gas-powered insert is advised, though a wood-burning stove is a happy medium for those who want an old-fashioned ... a big headache. Propane is a very versatile gas used for heating, cooking and even fuel for cars. This seems an acceptable tradeoff to me. I find them in existing homes. Jaap W.: Sounds like you have a good grasp of the potential problems. It is easy to tell whether it is clean by its color. Nothing like having good ole data. Final Thoughts. Most ventless gas fireplaces can only be operated for 6 hours at a stretch and are only recommended for use as a secondary source of heat. a blue flame burns completely, i.e. There must be a reason. Few homeowners are still unaware of the odorless and colorless gas. What is a gas log set? Sale Gas Fireplace Cause Headache And How Does Barometric Pressure Cause Headache The scary thing is safety issues are the most common issues to be ignored. 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