The term free standing gas fireplaces can be rather confusing. The terminology would make you think it can be placed any where. But gas fireplaces can only be placed where the gas line is ran to.

 The terminology would also make you think it only applies to the ventless gas fireplaces that do not have to use a venting system, but that is not true either because the direct vent is also considered freestanding. So all that leaves is the free standing gas fireplace called so because it does not need the chimney of the wood burning fireplace.

The gas fireplaces direct vent does not have to use the chimney but it does use a venting system to bring in fresh air for the combustion. With the sealed combustion, all the air used is brought in from the outside, completely independent of the household air, then the by products of the combustion are removed to the outside of the house. This is made possibly by the gas fireplace vent. This is really two vents in one. Think of it as a pipe inside of a larger pipe of a double walled pipe. The inner pipe will carry the by products outdoors and the outer pipe will bring fresh air inside. The air coming inside will be heated on the way in by the hot central vent pipe. This also improves the efficiency of the direct venting.

The ventless gas fireplaces will use the air that is in the house and return this same air back into the room. Some of the manufactures do not produce the ventless gas fireplaces. They feel the air needs to be vented form the outside. Certain states will not allow for the ventless gas fireplaces while some states will require a permit to install. While most states do not require either, be sure and check your states codes. The manufactures of the ventless designs will state the safety features or in plce to protect the users. A system that monitors the oxygen levels in the room is called the Oxygen Depletion System, commonly known as ODS. If the oxygen levels drop 2%, the unit will turn off the ventless gas appliances.

The designs and styles that are available are truly amazing. If you are looking for the stone look, there are plenty choices. The wood look is available in many different tones along with colors like the classic white. Some of the different styles are the corner gas fireplace that allows you to use the normally unused space of a corner to place a gas heater there. Some of the units can be mounted to the wall and there is even the outdoor fireplaces to choose from.