[carol_billvan]

Can I remove the glass from a vented natural gas fireplace? It has a mesh screen. There is little heat coming from the fireplace. It is a Heat 'n Glo 36 inch. I would like to remove the glass and run the fireplace to get more heat in the house. We used to have a vent-less and I don't see much difference. Can you help. Thank you.

Bill

[hvac1000]

First of all a gas fireplace will not offer much heat to start with. If it is vented it will actually suck more heat out of your home than it puts in. I would leave it alone and only use that energy waster for looks because it costs more to run than the heat it puts out..

[carol_billvan]

I still don't know if I can remove the glass, even if I don't get much heat. Why is the glass there anyway? Thanks

[mygirlsdad77]

no. you can not remove the glass on a vented fireplace. At least not according to manufactures instructions. Can you tell me the brand and model of the fireplace? Is it a direct vent or type b vent. The glass is there to keep the system sealed, so you don't die of carbon monoxide. Newer gas fireplaces will actually heat quite nicely. They are also a good source of backup heat(if run off powerpile) if you lose electricity when its twenty below. Most new fireplaces are actually 70 percent efficient(which isn't bad considering the beautiful atmosphere it can add to a home) You can even get 80+ fireplaces(but they use a draft inducer, therefore they will not work when the power goes out)


The mesh screen is strictly for looks. Removing glass will cause nothing but problems, and will put you and your family at risk. Hope my answer helps, please take my advice. Have a good one and please let me know what you decide.

[carol_billvan]

THank you so much for your answer. Can you tell me how a ventless fireplace works. Wouldn't there be a problem with carbon monoxide. It's a Heat "n Glo 36 inch (sorry) I don't have a model number but it is about three years old.

Thank you again Mygirlsdad77.

[hvac1000]

Ventless units

There is a reason many states and Canada are outlawing these extremely dangerous fireplaces! If you read the instructions, it says to open a window before you light these "heaters". Not a great way to heat the house. CO measurements around these units are very high and that is another reason not to have one in your home. If the oxygen depleation sensor fails it could actually kill you in your sleep. In other words they consume the oxygen in your home and replace it with CO a tasteless/colorless/poison gas.
Burning gas or propane ventless units creates water vapor that can build up in a room and possibly lead to mold and mildue growth. If most forms of mold aren't truly dangerous, they will certainly increase allergies and could spoil fabric, photographs, and books.

Now properly installed and vented style fireplaces work OK

Here is a efficiency rate for one of the best Heat and Glow units. This is a direct vent unit and safe to use unlike ventless which can cause major problems.

Cerona Features
Available in 36" and 42" models
Multiple mantels, fronts, surrounds and finishes supply a range of
looks from bold to elegant
AFUE rated 71%
Cantilevered firebox design with handpainted FireBrick
IntelliSwitch300 control standard
Fan comes standard
Mystifire® burner

Optional heat management kits—Heat-Zone® and Heat-Duct

You will notice that the unit is only 71% efficient. That means for every dollar of gas put into the unit you only get 0.71 cents of heat out if you are lucky since these tests are done by the company under ideal circumstances. Very inefficient by today standards. The US government outlawed regular home furnaces that get less than 80% years ago so as I said by today's standards they are energy wasters.

I have two fireplaces in my home. One was actually designed to heat my entire house and I called it my Hydro Hearth Design and yes I do have the patent. Thirty five years ago the fuel prices were much cheaper and the unit did a fine job of heating but today it is abandoned except for an occasional fire I like when I read a book in the library or when company comes over during the holidays. The reason I mention this is there are many more efficient types of heat available and to use a fireplace as a heat source is just like throwing money away. Do your own research on the heat and Glow site and you will see what I mean.

Gas Fireplaces from Heat & Glo#

Usually an electric heater will run for the same or less of a price on fuel since they are 100% efficient as compaired to a 71% fireplace.
Nothing can replace the nice glow of a fire and I for one am addicted to that feature of a fireplace but for efficiency they are not so good as proven by the information posted here. Sometimes people just do not want to hear the truth and try to find a way to convince themselves that what they are doing or want to do is the best way. I play no games in this industry. My students and past customers always expect just the honest facts when I answer a question like this.

BTW if you look at the Heat and Glow site you will find out that your fireplace was designed to have the glass on the front for a reason. Removing it violates the listing and labeling as per UL and CSA standards. This alone should send you a warning about the removal of the glass. If there ever is a fire and the unit is suspect you may not have the insurance coverage you think you have. Many claims have been turned down for improper instillation of fireplaces and other fossil fuel burning equipment.