Direct Vent Fireplace Valves

As you begin your search for a direct vent fireplace system, one of your considerations should be the type of Valve Control System which determines the way in which the flame is generated and controlled. There are three different choices of valve controls. Depending on your geographic location and local building codes you may be required to purchase a specific type of valve.

• Remote Ready
• Variable Flame Height
• Electronic Ignition

Remote Ready Valve

The Remote Ready Valve is the oldest of the valves and is the same type of valve that is used in most gas water heaters and gas furnaces. The Remote Ready Valve has what is known as a standing pilot, which simply means that a small gas pilot flame is burning all of the time. This tiny flame generates a small current of electricity which opens and closes the main gas valve to turn the fireplace system on and off. The advantage of a Remote Ready Valve is that it will continue to work even if there is an electrical power outage. Because it maintains a small amount of heat within the unit, it will easily light regardless of the outside temperature. The only disadvantage of the Remote Ready Valve is that it is using a small amount of gas at all times to keep the gas pilot burning. The standing pilot uses about 1000 BTUs an hour. (This translates into just a few pennies per day). A Remote Ready Valve can use a remote control, wall switch or thermostat to turn the unit on or off. The flame height can normally be adjusted, but only by a manual control on the valve. The flame could not be adjusted from the remote control.

Variable Flame Height Valve

The Variable Flame Height Valve has a standing pilot just as the Remote Ready Valve does. The main difference is how the flame height is adjusted. There is a small motor that is built in the valve, when coupled with the proper remote control, will allow you to adjust the flame height. This adds to increased efficiency as it simplifies turning the flame up or down. Depending on your desired effect, you could have more or less heat, or more or less viewable flame. Most Variable Flame Height Valves also allow you manually control the speed blower if one is installed in the fireplace.

There are some manufacturers that have more sophisticated Variable Flame Height Valves. These valves are slightly upgraded from the standard valve by allowing automatic control of the flame height and blower speed. The upgraded valve will allow you to program the remote control to a desired temperature and the fireplace will automatically maintain it. The unit will raise and lower the flame height and adjust the blower speed to keep the room at the temperature you want. Remote Ready and standard Variable Flame Height valve can be programmed by temperature, but will only turn the fireplace on and off according to the temperature in the room. When turned on the flame will be at the last position you had it set at, this is less efficient than the upgraded version. This is a newer technology and not a lot of manufactures have fireplaces in production with them yet. If you are interested in this type of system then Empire’s “Living Flame” system and Majestic’s “RF” series are some of most reliable on the market today.

Electronic Ignition Valve

Unlike the previous valves, The Electronic Ignition Valve does not use a standing pilot. This valve must be wired to 120v electrical source which is used to spark the pilot and then ignite the main burner. By not having a standing pilot you are not using any gas when the unit is not operating. This results in saving the “pennies a day” used by the other valves discussed above. Because the unit does require electricity to operate the unit will not light if there is an electrical outage. If you intend on using the fireplace for a backup heat source in the event of a power outage you could install a battery backup system. This would allow you to operate the unit if you do lose power. Fireplaces with Electronic ignition valves are not ideal in colder climates. If the outside temperature drops below 32°F it may become difficult to light the unit. A standing pilot allows a constant air flow though the fireplace where as with an electronic ignition unit you do not have this. It will result in multiple attempts to ignite the unit. Each ignition attempt will begin to create the proper air flow through the unit. Similar to the remote ready valve, the Electronic Ignition Valve does not allow for remote adjustment of the flame height. By local code, some areas of the United States require you to use an Electronic Ignition Valve, where as some areas of Canada prohibit them. Make sure you check into your local building codes prior to purchasing a fireplace to make sure you are allowed to install it in your home.

There are some manufacturers that are working on creating a combination valve which would give you the benefits of both the remote ready valve and the electronic ignition valve. Although not currently in production this could be a great solution to save gas, but also give you the reliability of the remote ready valve. During the non-heating months the fireplace could operate as an electronic ignition unit, but during the winter months it could be operated as a standing pilot. Monessen is currently planning on manufacturing this unit for the 2008 heating season. Once we have more information on this valve system we will update this page.