My friend, who lived in California called me and asked are ventless fireplaces legal in California. and that time I told what the problem with keeping ventless fireplaces are
one incident taught me a lot about ventless fireplaces in California because once my friend unknowingly used a ventless fireplace unaware of the laws of California.
He has to pay a hefty fine ranging from $200-$700 to the California government for violating the law.
California aiming to make it the first U.S. state to phase out gas-fueled furnaces and water heaters in homes.
In this blog, I am going to discuss whether ventless fireplaces are legal in California and what kind of issues you might face if you want to install them.
Are Ventless Fireplaces Legal In California?
The 1996 California code of law determines that ventless or vent-free fireplaces will be illegal in the state.
These codes of law are implemented because of the health problems that come with the use of ventless fireplaces.
The harmful effects of carbon monoxide are one of the reasons why California banned the use of ventless fireplaces.
Major byproducts of ventless fireplaces are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapors, which can harm human health if not ventilated properly.
Obviously, ventless fireplaces don’t have vents, so all carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapors accumulate in the house in the form of byproducts if not ventilated properly.
Prior to installing a fireplace in your residence, it is advisable to seek guidance from a certified expert to guarantee compliance with relevant codes and regulations.
But you know every law has a loophole in it.
Decorative ventless fireplaces that use non-combustible gas and do not produce heat are allowed.
Some ventless fireplaces have oxygen depletion sensors that constantly monitor the oxygen level in your room.
If the oxygen level drops low it immediately stops working.
In Which States Are Ventless Fireplaces Illegal in the United States?
The use of ventless gas fireplaces is banned in this state of the USA:
- Washington
- Massachusetts
- Alaska
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Austin
- Minnesota
- South Dakota
- New York
- Texas
- Colorado
- Kansas, Nevada
- California
- Arizona
The Pros and Cons of Ventless Gas Fireplaces
In recent times, the popularity of ventless gas fireplaces has increased because they are easy to install, 99.9% energy-efficient, simple to use, and enhance the ambiance.
But if there are pros there will be some cons so here are they:
Cons
1. Moisture buildup
As I told you before ventless gas fireplaces produce water vapor as a byproduct, which causes moisture to collect in your house. This eventually leads to mold and weeby fungi, which eventually damage your house’s interior.
2. Limited heat output
Ventless fireplaces are built for larger houses because they have limited heat output compared to traditional fireplaces and keep in mind that ventless fireplaces are famous for the feature of energy efficiency. so, don’t hope for something it is not capable of.
3. Health risks
Ventless gas fireplaces emit byproducts through combustion such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapor, which is harmful to human health if not properly ventilated.
Exposure to these gases to humans is not healthy, some ventless gas fireplace comes with oxygen sensors that turn off if the level of oxygen depletes too much but still don’t take risks to your health.
Pros
1. Simple to Install
Because they don’t have a ventilation installation process the headache of the ventilation is not there. less process of installation makes it cheaper than a traditional fireplace, Since these fireplaces don’t require a ventilation system like a traditional chimney, you can easily add them to various areas and rooms, especially if you consider it during the construction of your home.
2. energy efficiency
Ventless gas fireplaces are a great option for energy-efficient houses because they don’t lose heat through the chimney.
This means all the heat produced by the fireplace is going and collected in the room, which makes the room heat longer and more energy efficient than another traditional fireplace. With ventless gas fireplaces, the heat output is fully utilized for its intended purpose, keeping your home warm and cozy.
3. Environment Friendly
Ventless gas fireplaces are a better choice for heating your home compared to old-fashioned wood-burning fireplaces, which means they’re better for the environment.
Because wood produces more gases than gas fireplaces, why is it a better option for the environment.
What Fireplaces Can I Install In California?
Types of fireplaces you can install in California are:
- Chimney vented fireplaces
- B-Vent fireplaces
- Direct vent fireplace
- Electric fireplace
Safe Operating Guidelines for Ventless Gas Fireplaces
- Make sure that the installation is done according to the manufacturer’s guide and done by a professional technician.
- Avoid burning wood or other materials inside a ventless gas fireplace, and only use gas that is recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always install the fireplace in a place where the air circulation is maximum, this helps get rid of the build-up of carbon monoxide and nitrate dioxide in your room.
- Make use of a carbon monoxide detector that notifies you of any carbon monoxide buildup inside your room or house. If you care about your family then always check for any buildup of carbon monoxide. It can cause damage to your family’s future health.
- Make sure to never leave the fireplace alone when it’s on. Always double-check that the fire is out before you walk away.
FAQ
Can Ventless Fireplaces Make You Sick?
Ventless gas fireplace can make you sick, if not properly cleaned the combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapor can be harmful to your health.
Can Ventless Fireplaces Be Converted to Vented?
No, because it is designed to be used as ventless, it is possible if you are some kind of technician who can do the technical part of converting.
Can You Build a House With A Fireplace in California?
It’s totally doable to build a house with a fireplace in California! Just make sure to check out the building rules, laws, and nature stuff before you go ahead and put in that fireplace.