Slide 8
Vented vs. Vent-free Gas Logs
Vented Gas Logs 
Pros:
- Extremely realistic flame pattern that looks like a wood fire.
- Flame is much taller than vent-free logs
- Flame dances and wraps around logs like real wood.
- Does not require a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector
- Since the damper is open, most of the smell will go up the chimney
Cons:
- Less heat than vent-free logs (probably won't heat your room)
- Uses slightly more gas than vent-free logs
Vent-free Gas Logs
Pros:
- Much better heat output than vented gas logs
- Less pollution
- Slightly less gas consumption
Cons:
- Since the byproduct of burning gas cleanly is water, vent-free logs will introduce excess moisture into your home which can result in mold or mildew.
- You must be careful not to burn your vent-free logs for extended periods of time with windows closed, otherwise they will deplete the oxygen in your home.
- Vent-free gas logs produce an odor that many people equate to the smell of burning kerosene. So if you have a sensitive nose, you may not be able to handle the smell and will be dissatisfied with vent-free logs.
- Vent-free gas logs are required to have an ODS (oxygen depletion system) which is built into the pilot system.
- The flame pattern with vent-free logs pails in comparison to vented logs. Because the gas must burn cleanly, the flame height is very low and most of it is blue. Also, you will find that the flame does not dance around like a real wood fire and very little of the flame actually touches the logs. The reason for this is that when the flame touches the logs, it gets cooled off and does not burn cleanly and starts to produce soot and exhaust gases.
- Vent free logs cannot be repaired of serviced, the entire burner system must be replaced if the logs break.
