Blog Post

Useful Vent Free Videos

  • By Carolyn Meroles
  • 23 Oct, 2015
First of all, what is vent-free all about?
Vent-free gas products are gas appliances that provide supplemental heat to a home. They are designed to be installed and operated without a vent or chimney. Because there is no vent, flue, or chimney required, all of the heat generated by the product goes directly into the home, making vent-free products 99 percent energy efficient.



Second, why should you choose vent- free?
Two Words: Efficiency and Ease. While vented units lose a significant amount of the warm air they produce up their chimneys, vent-free fireplaces are entirely self-contained, allowing all of the heat to remain inside the home. As a supplemental heat source, vent-free is ideal for a drafty house. Units can be installed in virtually any room. When piping and chimneys are not a consideration, installation becomes very simple and stress free. And because the units do not require electricity, they heat the home even during a power outage.

What is a vent-free fireplace?
A vent-free fireplace is a vent-free box with a factory installed vent-free burner and logs. Installation of a vent-free fireplace simply involves setting it in place in wood framing and hooking up the natural gas or liquid propane line to the unit. It can be installed in new or existing construction. Your vent-free fireplace can be hooked up to a remote control, thermostatic remote control, or traditional wall thermostat.

What is a vent-free stove?
A vent-free stove is an excellent source of supplemental heat and can be installed just about anywhere in your home. Your vent-free stove can be installed right on hardwood flooring, but never on carpeting. Just run a gas line to the location where you want the stove and you’re ready for heat.

What is a vent-free firebox?
A vent-free firebox is specifically approved, designed and produced for vent-free log sets. A vent-free firebox is made from layers of steel, non-combustible insulation, and a masonry- lined interior to create the authentic fireplace experience.

What is a vent-free log set?
A vent-free log set can be used in a pre-existing masonry fireplace, a prefabricated wood-burning fireplace, or in an approved vent-free firebox. Your vent-free log set can serve as an excellent supplemental heat source. All you will need is a gas line run into the fireplace and you’re ready to go. Your vent-free log set can be run with either an open or a closed damper.

Should you be afraid of vent-free?
NO. Vent-free appliances are designed to burn clean and work with 99% efficiency. All vent-free appliances are equipped with an Oxygen Detection Safety Pilot (or ODS) system. In the rare case where the oxygen level in a room starts to drop below a normal level, the ODS shuts off the gas supply to the appliance. Over a 20 year history covering the sale of more than 8 million ODS-equipped vent-free products in the U.S., there have been no documented deaths associated with emissions from vent-free gas products.

Vent-free is efficient, easy, and safe.
Contact us to talk about your vent-free appliance installation.
Thank you.
Now that you’ve decided to install a vent-free appliance in your home, you will also have options and accessories to choose from. 

This video will provide an overview of some of the options available to you.

Remote control – a remote is included with every order.
Ember remote receiver cover
Metal insulated remote receiver cover
Decorative fiber ember kit
Decorative andirons and grate
Universal andirons
Adjustable canopy – this accessory is always recommended
Log switch kit with 12” wire

Pine cones, wood chips and acorns
Pine cone remote receiver cover
Lava rocks and rock wool

Vent-free: Install, customize and enjoy.
Contact us to talk about your vent-free appliance installation and options.
Thank you.
Lighting the pilot: 

1. Make sure your wall switch is turned off. Make sure on/off switch on fireplace is set to off position. Make sure your wall thermostat is turned all the way down. Make sure your timer switch is in the off position.

2. Access the valve to your vent free appliance. Locate black control knob. This knob will have the words on-off-pilot on it. Turn the knob so that the word off is lined up with the white marker.

3. Push the knob in and turn it so the word pilot is lined up with the white marker.

4. Locate your sparker button

5. With the knob set to pilot push it and hold it in and then push the sparker button. Make sure you keep the black control knob pushed in while you push the sparker button.

6. Once pilot lights, hold black knob in for 30 seconds

7. Release black knob and make sure that pilot remains lit

8. Make sure that any on/off switches, including remote controls are set in the off position.

9. Press black control knob in and turn so that the word “on” is aligned with the white marker.

10. If you have a toggle switch (ON/OFF/RS), make sure it is set on RS if you want to run the unit off of a wall switch or remote control.

11. Your unit is now ready to operate.
A major advantage of vent-free appliances is that they can be serviced and maintained by today’s homeowner. 

This video will provide an overview of the components of a vent-free appliance, a list of the tools and supplies you’ll need, and step-by-step instructions for performing routine maintenance.

The components of a vent free appliance include:

  • valve
  • on/off/pilot knob
  • flame height regulator
  • thermo couple
  • thermo pile
  • pilot tube
  • burner pan
  • logs
  • flexible or hard gas line (The gas line that goes into the fireplace from the outside and connects to the valve should have a shut off valve as well.)
Here is a short list of the tools and supplies you will need to perform routine maintenance on a vent-free fireplace.

  • wrench
  • compressed air spray
  • soapy water in spray bottle
  • replacement embers (Direct Vent Rock Wool)
  • Phillips head and flat head screw drivers
  • steel wool
  • lava rocks
  • vacuum cleaner with small nozzle attachment
  • owner’s manual for your vent-free fireplace, log set, or stove
To perform routine maintenance or your vent-free fireplace:
1. Make sure the gas supply is shut off. Turn the shut-off valve until it is perpendicular to the gas line.
2. Make sure that the inlet and manifold screws on the valve were tightened all the way.
3. Make sure that the on/off/pilot knob is set to off.
4. If your unit has a screen, remove it or push screen curtains to the side.
5. Remove all ceramic logs, lava rocks, and embers from burner pan, and place on a drop cloth or newspaper. Make sure to keep logs, lava rocks, and embers separated.
6. Clean pilot assembly and all burner pan orifice holes with compressed air.
7. Clean thermopile with steel wool.
8. Vacuum any dust or debris out of fireplace and burner pan.
9. Turn gas supply back on and use soapy water to check all unions for leaks.
10. Light the pilot light – watch our video on lighting the pilot or refer to your owner’s manual.
11. Place ceramic logs in their designated positions – refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
12. Place lava rocks inside floor of the firebox – NEVER place them on top of the burner.
13. If applicable to your unit, place dime size pieces of glowing ember rock wool all around burner.
14. Turn on/off/pilot knob to the on position when you are ready to operate the unit.
Your maintenance routine is complete.

Vent-free is easy to maintain.
Contact us to talk about your vent-free appliance installation and maintenance.
Thank you.
By Carolyn Meroles June 27, 2017
Fairview Hearthside is a dealer for European brand Planika. Planika offers a variety of ethanol fueled, electronically controlled fireplaces for many different options in both residential and commercial applications. These fireplaces burn clean with no smell or ash. Please visit www.planikausa.com  we will be displaying Planika fireplaces at the Fine Source Home Show on September 23,2017 between 10:00-5:00pm in Millbrook, NY at Millbrook Bandshell
3327 Franklin Avenue, see you there!
By Carolyn Meroles June 27, 2017

New options available from one of Heat & Glo's best selling direct vent fireplace

By Carolyn Meroles June 27, 2017

Designer's top choice of a Modern Linear Fireplace.

By Carolyn Meroles June 27, 2017

Black reflective panels instead of brick

By Carolyn Meroles October 28, 2016
When gas fire log sets first came on the market more than seventy-five years ago, they didn’t have the appeal of wood fires. Somewhat lackluster, fires were small and flames burned with the monotony of a stove burner. But back then, people were not as aware of the consequences of inefficiently burning wood and were unafraid of running out of trees. Now gas log technology has come a long way in terms of appearance and realism. The supply of trees for firewood is dwindling, and we have all grown more conscious of our carbon footprint. Enter the new and improved vent-free gas log fire sets, made by Peterson, an industry leader for seventy-five years.

Peterson has turned vent-free gas log appliances into must-haves. With 99% efficiency, they contribute almost no particulate matter, volatile organic compounds or carbon monoxide to the air. This is far less than the greenhouse effect of burning wood. Plus they are cheaper and safer to operate than a wood-burning device.

Peterson’s Real Fyre logs give back the effervescent grace of a wood fire while increasing fuel efficiency. Newer technology gives a fire virtually indistinguishable from wood, burning in complex patterns with glowing embers beneath. In a wide variety of versatile styles and colors, homeowners can choose the log fire that most suits their tastes, needs, and budget. They can be used in most existing vent-free products and can also be used when converting an existing wood-burning fireplace to vent-free gas.

Log sets come in a range of sizes from 16” to 30” and a range of styles. There are split log sets and split-log see-through sets in oak or charred wood. They also have modern-looking fires that resemble something from The Hunger Games.

Peterson logs are an assemblage of the finest, most technologically advanced gas log materials. Built to withstand time, they are made of refractory ceramics, expanded shales, aggregates, and an advanced calcium aluminate binder. Plus, they are lined with steel reinforcement rods, improving their durability in both function and appearance, even under the longstanding pressure of high heat. With Peterson, you can relax in front of your fire for years, reassured you made a great choice in beauty and durability.

Mr. Vent Free carries Peterson log sets for all of their vent-free devices. Contact us to help you choose the right set for your needs and budget.
By Carolyn Meroles October 21, 2016
Majestic Magnum clean face vent-free fireboxes offer the warmth, coziness and style of a traditional fireplace without the need to install outdoor venting. With many style options available, you can choose the design that best fits your room decor and install it almost anywhere. All that is needed is a gas line, which can be easily installed in nearly any location.

Majestic Magnum offers a taller option, designed to easily warm larger spaces. With this option, you can get up to 1,097 inches of viewing room. This makes it easy to see the fire from any point in the room.

Interior options include a choice of firebricks in soft pleasing colors for a true masonry look. Choose from Ceramic Fiber multidimensional Old English 3-D firebrick, Ceramic Fiber Tavern Brown firebrick or Refractory Herringbone factory-installed firebrick. These options add a delicious touch of ambiance able to improve upon any decor, whether warm or cool.

Models include a black hood and junction box and come in two convenient sizes, 36” and 42”. The firebox has zero clearance to the fireplace.

These fireboxes are CSA certified and can be installed with many different style options. Choose a curved trim kit available in two colors, black or stainless steel. Or add cabinet doors with a screen, also available in two sizes and two colors, black and iron. And you can add matching cabinet door frames.

Units also come with an optional outside combustion air kit that draws in air from outside for combustion rather than using indoor air.

Ninety-nine percent efficient, these fireboxes burn all their fuel cleanly. No wasted heat goes up the chimney. The radiant design circulates heat evenly and quickly. For additional heat circulation, you can add a blower kit, a 160 CFM variable thermostat-controlled forced air blower. This makes it easy to adjust the temperature and have a fire in a variety of weather.

Majestic Magnum clean face unvented fireboxes accommodate most 24” and 30” gas log inserts, letting you create the centerpiece of your fire exactly the way you want it.

A perfect mix of style, function, value, and convenience, Majestic Magnum clean face unvented fireboxes make the day sweeter.
By Carolyn Meroles October 14, 2016
The Simplifire Heatilator electric wall-mount heater uses LED lights to make a design statement in your home. With modern LED technology, a bedrock of beautiful glowing coals sits beneath a custom fire in orange or blue, backlit by ten different LED lights in an array of pleasing colors.

The Simplifire Heatilator is a conversation piece, a source of accent lighting AND a gentle heater. And all of this is energized with vent-free, utterly silent electricity. These flat units can be mounted to the wall in a short amount of time by anyone with handyman skills using easy-install brackets.

Perfect as an elegant design accent for warm weather or cool, the flames can run with or without heat. If you choose to turn on the heater, the 36″ Simplifire Heatilator from Mr. Vent Free can put out up to 4,800 BTUs of heat. You can easily adjust the flame height and amount of heat.

Approximately two feet tall and 6 inches thick, units take up no more space than a flat-screen TV. And flames are framed in either black or white glass. The Simplifire Heatilator is easy to operate, with convenient controls on the side or with a remote. Its as simple to turn on and adjust as a television, but much less distracting. With its perfectly soundless flames, it will not interfere with work, study or conversation. Instead, it opens the way for enjoyable social activities like playing games or dining.

Some vent-free owners like to turn down the central thermostat and run their heating appliance in the occupied rooms. Units cost an average of 1-3 cents per hour to run without heat, and 1-7 cents per hour with heat. Beautifying and heating a room are a cost-effective cinch with the Simplifire Heatilator.

Modern elegance combined with the classic coziness of a fire, the Simplifire Heatilator adds a smashing design element to any room in any home. With the array of backlit light color choices, the Simplifire Heatilator creates synergy with a wide variety of decorating choices and a many different moods.
By Carolyn Meroles October 7, 2016
When it comes to supplemental in-home heating, HearthRite Vent-Free heating systems are a maximally efficient super-affordable way to go. With portable units ranging in size from 6,000 to 30,000 BTUs, there is a HearthRite Vent-Free Heater to accommodate every space. And you have a wide variety of installation options. They can be mounted to the wall, placed on the floor or set on a stand. All that is required is a gas line, which can be easily installed by any qualified technician.

The heaters emanate a soft glow in either:

  • blue flame heat: warms the air, which naturally begins to circulate around the room, or
  • radiant heat: an orange-yellow color heat that puts warmth into the area, similar to sunlight that comes through a window.
Because they burn indoor air and use up their fuel supply with 99% efficiency, they require no outdoor vent. Outdoor vented heaters tend to be only 62%-75% efficient, are expensive to install, and cannot be easily moved at a later date.

Another advantage of the HearthRite Vent-Free heating system is that it adds moisture back to dry winter air which means fewer chapped lips and cracked fingers. If the heater is run for twenty four hours, it can add as much as a gallon of moisture back to the air.

The price point for these heaters is very low and, once installed, they require almost no maintenance. They do not emit odors and they burn so cleanly, they add only a negligible amount of carbon monoxide to the air, which is whisked away by the natural breathing of a house. You simply need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for regular cleaning and an annual inspection.

All heaters are pre-tested at the factory and come equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor. At 16% oxygen, well above any danger, they turn themselves off, ensuring the safety of users.

All heaters are also equipped with a piezo ignition and a standing pilot so there is never any fumbling with matches.

They make great supplemental heating systems, whether installed to warm a cold room or installed to turn down the less efficient vented heaters already in a home, thereby reducing heating costs. Did you know they will still work during an electrical outage?

At a lower cost than a vented heating system, a HearthRite Vent-Free heater gives everyone the opportunity to be warm at a reasonable cost.

Depending on the model you buy, your heater will either have a thermostat dial or a manual control on top of the unit for easy temperature adjustment. HearthRite Vent-Free heaters carry a three year warranty. At Mr. Vent Free, we offer a large selection of both natural gas and liquid propane (LP) HearthRite Vent-free units. Contact us  if you have any questions
By Carolyn Meroles September 30, 2016
For a truly unique and modern look, check out our vent-free Wall Torch Collection. These bold statement pieces have everything you love about a traditional fireplace in a striking single flame design, with no hassle! The Napoleon Wall Torch is a versatile and highly efficient source of light and cozy heat.

A wall torch brings plenty of whimsy and drama to a room, harkening back to torch use in days before electricity. But instead of the hassle and hazard of an open flame, our modern wall torches encase the fire in a sleek cabinet for an ultra-contemporary look. Its slim design allows the wall torch to be installed anywhere: bedrooms, offices, hallways, even bathrooms*. There is also an outdoor model for the perfect update to your patio or garden space!

In addition to its striking look, the wall torch also brings you functional supplemental heating. Like all of our vent-free products, the wall torch does not require any venting. Its simple natural gas or propane hookup allows it to be installed virtually anywhere. Because the vent-free wall torch heats and circulates the air already in the room, no heat is lost to the outdoors. This provides 99% efficient heat for your living space. It also eliminates all of the work and mess involved in burning real wood. It is a safe, modern update to a traditional torch.

The Wall Torch Collection includes several options for your ideal setup. Choose from sleek cabinets of stainless steel or black metallic finish. The cabinets come in silver, white, black, blue, or red trim to suit any interior design. Porcelain reflective radiant panels amplify the light of the flame for maximum drama and light. Optional LED accent lights can also highlight the unit (found in Accessories). All wall torches have heat-resistant glass and come with decorative glass embers. Choose the outdoor wall torch model for an extra-durable statement piece for outside walls.

Our Napoleon Wall Torch Collection will update any room or patio in a dramatic work of art. Enjoy highly efficient heat along with the stunning, timeless look of a single flame torch without any mess or hassle.

*Check your local laws and by-laws before installing. A vent-free appliance may not be allowed in all rooms.
By Carolyn Meroles September 23, 2016
Many vent-free appliances are powered by natural gas or propane fuel hookups. But did you know Mr. Vent Free also offers electric vent-free fireplaces? This alternative is ideal for those who choose not to use gas and want to install a fireplace in minutes! Just install it, plug it in, sit back, and relax.

Why would you choose an electric vent-free fireplace? Here are a few reasons:

  • You don’t have a gas line running into your home, or
  • The gas line is not convenient to hook up to, or
  • You don’t want to pay the gas bill if you’re not using it for anything else, or
  • You want a super quick install you may be able to do yourself*, or
  • Or you just love the look of our electric fireplace models!
Like all of our vent-free appliances, electric fireplaces provide the warmth and atmosphere of a traditional fireplace without the hassle and mess of burning real wood. Because the vent-free electric fireplace requires no chimney or other venting, none of the heat is lost to the outdoors. This provides 99% efficient heating to any room in your home. It also creates the perfect cozy setting!

Electric fireplaces are easily adjusted and controlled by remote for different flame and heat settings. You can create a statement piece for any room while also cutting down on heating costs with this efficient fireplace.

If you’re looking for a more traditional feel, check out our Majestic brand Allura-Fire electric fireplace. With a classic arched face and realistic logs and embers, this electric fireplace offers an authentic look and cozy, adjustable warmth for any room.

Want more of a contemporary look? The Heatilator SimpliFire model provides a super convenient setup in a sleek glass frame. Simply mount it to the wall and enjoy multiple LED lighting and flame settings. Napoleon also offers a range of electric fireplace models. With options for wall mounting, heating or no heating, and both contemporary and classic designs, these units provide plenty of choices for the modern homeowner.

The convenience of the vent-free electric fireplace makes it easier than ever to enjoy a fire. The electric fireplace provides both a modern statement piece and efficient warmth to your home.

*Complexity of the installation will depend on the type of electric fireplace, the surrounding area and the availability of electrical hookup. If you do not have the necessary skills, a professional should be consulted.
More Posts
Share by: