Direct Vent Fireplace Information
To put it simply, a direct vent fireplace is prefabricated metal fireplace designed to be easy to install, easy to use, look realistic, burn clean and have little maintenance. They are closed combustion units so they have a sealed glass panel on the front of the fireplace which allows them to be highly efficient. The glass panel allows heat to pass through it and radiate into the room.
Easy to Install
Since this is a zero-clearance install you do not need a complicated foundation or frame for these units. This simply means you can bring your wood frame directly to the sides of the unit and set the unit directly on a plywood base. All direct vent fireplaces have metal standoffs on the top of the units, these cannot be removed and you set your top framing right on top of them.
Because of the unique vent style your installation can be really easy. You could vent your direct vent fireplace directly out the rear of the unit to a side wall of the home or vent it vertically through your roof like a traditional masonry fireplace. You can look at our Direct-Vent Piping page for some basic venting examples. There are different options and limitations for each fireplace so please refer to the fireplace’s owner manual for the unit limitations.
Once you have the unit framed you have a number of options to finish the face and the look of the fireplace. Almost all manufacturers offer trim kits which will give you a simple and clean to cover the gap between the fireplace and face material. Some manufacturers even offer bay windows which can give your fireplace a completely different look. Although do not think you are limited to trim options that the manufacturers offer, you can trim and face the unit with any non combustible material. So, if you want to do a tile, brick or marble hearth and have the trim match you can. Your only limitation here is that your facing materials not cover any part of the vent or grill panels. For more detailed instructions visit our Direct Vent Fireplace Installation Page.
Easy to Use
Direct vent fireplaces have a lot of options when it comes to how you want to turn the unit on and off. The options you have here vary depending on what type of fireplace you decide to purchase, so check out our Direct Vent Fireplace Control Valve Options page for more information on this.
For the most basic use you can either use the rocker on/off switch that is pre-installed in most fireplaces or you can use a millivolt wall switch, this is specific switch that looks like a standard light switch to turn the fireplace on and off. If you do not want to walk up to the fireplace to you can use a wall thermostat or a remote control to turn the unit on. With the remote controls you have a number of options as well, you can get the most basic version that will just turn your flame on and off or you can go to the most complex version which will allow you to control your flame height and fan speed or have the remote control do it automatically depending on the temperature in the room. Like mentioned before, these features are all depending on the type of valve that is installed in your fireplace so make sure you get the one that fits your needs.
Look Realistic
The ambiance of your room is very important and can be the main reason to choose one fireplace over another. When you are shopping, make sure to look it both while it is burning and turned off. Most of the time your fireplace is not going to be burning, so make sure your logs look real. All of these units have artificial logs, but some manufactures make them look more realistic than others. When the unit is burning look for a unit with large yellow dancing flames. A nice flame pattern and realistic logs will give you the best look possible.
Burn Clean
These units burn very clean and efficiently compared to other models on the market. You can find some models that have up to an 88% Steady State Efficiency rating. This means it is burning your fuel cleaner and producing more heat. Direct vent fireplaces make a great addition to any home by adding ambiance to your room, increase your home value, and can lower your heating costs.
Maintenance
There really is not a lot of maintenance to go along with a direct vent fireplace. During the fireplace operating season you should clean the glass and clean the burner compartment.
It is necessary to periodically clean the glass panel. You will notice that dust, lint, dirt and other airborne particles will stick to the glass surface. Most manufacturers recommend that you clean the glass about three each operating season. For this you can use non-ammonia cleaner and warm water, there are specific fireplace glass cleaning products you could purchase as well. Do not clean the glass when it is hot and do not use abrasive cleanser.
At least once a year you should clean out the burner compartment and standing pilot assembly. You will basically clear out the burn area, including logs and ember material, then vacuum and wipe and dirt from the area.
You should refer to your owner’s manual for exact maintenance schedule and instructions.
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