Vent Free Gas Stove Safety

Many people are opting to use vent free gas stoves for home heating. This way there is no need to build a chimney or add a vent to exhuast the air to the outside. But is it safe?

If you are thinking of buying a vent free (or vent-free, or ventless) gas stove, the following is safety information to consider:

What type of fuel is used?

Vent free gas stoves are fueled by natural gas or propane. They operate in the home without benefit of a chimney or flue.

Are modern vent free gas stoves any safer than the older ones?

Modern vent free gas stoves have lower levels of carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products. However, they can still negatively affect indoor air quality. A certain safety device is recommended and other steps are suggested.

What safety device?

Modern vent free gas stoves are equipped with a device known as an "Oxygen Detection Safety-pilot" (ODS). This device will automatically shut off the flame and pilot if oxygen in the room drops below normal levels.

Does the ODS have a track record?

Yes. The ODS technology originated in Europe, where it has been used safely for more than 50 years.

Is this ODS tamper-resistant?

The ODS is tamper-resistant. The ODS has a precision orifice that will automatically disintegrate if there is an attempt at drilling it to enlarge the pilot flame - or trying to interchange it with a normal standing pilot.

But is this enough to ensure air quality?

Manufacturers of vent free gas stoves recommend less operating time in order to avoid air quality issues. Three hours a day is the maximum amount of time recommended.

Also, the heat output of the vent free gas stove should remain less than 40,000 BTU per hour.

Reminder - The same basic safety rules apply for using a vent free gas stove as they do when using a vented gas stove:

- Never leave the vent free free gas stove unattended

- do not allow children to operate the stove

- install smoke, CO, and gas detectors

For information about heating options, including the outdoor wood burning boiler, as well as information about smoke alarms and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors,see links below: