How Long Can You Run a Gas Fireplace? (Expert Answer)

You might want to keep your gas fireplace running throughout the evening, especially during the harsh winter nights. But is it a good idea?

How long you can run a gas fireplace without any health and safety risks depends upon the type of its ventilation. For example:

A direct-vent gas fireplace can run for several hours without any issues. But you should not run a ventless gas fireplace for more than 3 hours at a time. 

Running it for more than the recommended duration can cause gas leaks and, in extreme cases, lead to a house fire.

In this article, we’ll talk about how long can you run safely different gas fireplace types. We’ll also discuss the risks of running gas fireplaces overnight and the best gas practices for running a fireplace.

How Long Can You Run a Gas Fireplace?

Like other fireplaces, gas fireplaces produce toxic gasses that must be vented out. That is why proper venting is important to run gas fireplaces safely.

Since gas fireplaces come with different ventilation types, there are some you can run for longer than others.

Let’s discuss each of these gas fireplaces and how long you can run them without any risk:

Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace

A Direct-vent gas is great for homeowners who don’t have a pre-existing chimney as it saves them the hassle and cost of installing a new chimney. It uses an exhaust vent that goes directly into an exterior wall. Moreover, direct-vent gas fireplaces have a fireplace glass at the front, making it a sealed unit.

An outer pipe pulls fresh air from the outside and provides oxygen for combustion. Carbon Monoxide and other toxic gasses are vented out of the fireplace through the vent.

Unlike conventional masonry fireplaces, direct-vent gas fireplaces are sealed—with no air or toxic fumes coming in or out of your room.

That is why using direct-vent gas fireplaces for days is safe without any risk.

Ventless Gas Fireplace

As the name suggests, ventless or vent-free gas fireplaces do not use any venting system. There can be serious health and safety risks associated with running it indoors. That is why it is completely illegal in California, while several other states have imposed strict restrictions on its use.

Homeowners can mitigate the risks by following the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation.

If you have a ventless gas fireplace, never use it for more than two or three hours. The combustion in ventless gas fireplaces is clean. Still, some amount of Carbon Monoxide and other toxic gasses are produced. Since there is no venting system, the gasses spread inside the room.

The levels of toxic gasses inside the room can rise if you leave the fireplace running for more than a few hours. This increases the chances of CO poisoning, respiratory issues, and other health risks.

B-vent gas fireplace

B-vent gas fireplaces use air present inside the room for combustion. The combustion inside the fireplace produces hot exhaust gasses. Since the exhaust gasses are hot, they rise and vent out through the fireplace venting system.

B-vent gas fireplaces are not sealed so that heat can dissipate outside through the chimney. There’s also a chance that toxic fumes may enter the room because of poor drafting conditions.

So keeping your b-vent gas fireplace running unattended is not the best idea. But you can use b-vent gas fireplaces for several hours without health and safety risks.

Can You Leave a Gas Fireplace on Overnight?

You can leave a vented gas fireplace running overnight without risking your health or safety. But if your fireplace is not installed properly or there are issues, you can risk CO poisoning or a house fire. So it is best to turn off your fireplace before going to sleep.

However, if you plan on running your fireplace (unattended) while you sleep, it is important to ensure it is well-maintained. Moreover, you should also install smoke and CO detectors in different rooms of your home. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be prompted immediately and have time to take necessary action.

On the other hand, ventless gas fireplaces should not be left running overnight, and doing so can put you and your loved ones at risk of CO poisoning or respiratory issues.

What Happens if You Leave Your Fireplace on Overnight?

It’s best not to leave any fireplace burning throughout the night. While some fireplaces (e.g., direct vent gas fireplaces) are safer than others, there is still the risk of malfunctioning.

Let’s take a look at the risks of leaving your fireplace on overnight:

CO Poisoning

If you leave a ventless gas fireplace running throughout the night, the Carbon Monoxide CO levels inside your room increase. Since CO has no smell or odor, it is difficult to detect, so you won’t notice anything until it’s too late.

Symptoms of CO exposure include headache, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Prolonged exposure to CO can cause serious health issues and lead to death.

Smoke Problems

B-vent gas fireplaces can cause smoke problems if left running throughout the night. Incomplete combustion can occur if the room has an inadequate oxygen supply. The fuel (natural gas) also doesn’t burn properly if there’s a poor draft inside the chimney.

Both these cases increase the amount of smoke that can spread inside your room. Inhaling this smoke can cause discomfort or respiratory issues.

Fire Hazard

Running any fireplace unattended increases the risk of a house fire. There’s a chance that a slight malfunction causes a spark which may start a fire that can spread throughout the house. 

How Do You Use a Gas Fireplace Safely?

By now, you can guess that running a gas fireplace overnight or unattended is not a good idea. But are there any other precautions you can take to operate your fireplace safely and efficiently? Most definitely!

Here are a few things that homeowners need to keep in mind when running their gas fireplaces:

Installation

Always hire a certified professional to install your gas fireplace. Since a gas fireplace uses natural gas as fuel for combustion, there’s always a risk of gas leaks. A professional installer will follow all safety protocols and the manufacturer’s installation procedure.

By having a professional install your fireplace you can rest assured that the risk of malfunctioning, leaking pipes, or other safety issues is minimized.

Annual Inspection

As recommended by the NFPA, the number one safety precaution for gas fireplaces (and all other types of fireplaces) is getting them inspected at least once a year. Annual inspections ensure that all fireplace parts are in proper working condition. Any issues like a gas fireplace that keeps going out or broken parts can be found during these inspections and can be fixed so they don’t become a problem.

Inspecting your fireplace with a certified chimney sweeping service before winter starts is best.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

In addition to the annual inspections, you should also clean your gas fireplace regularly. This includes cleaning the log sets and other accessories, fireplace glass, etc. It would be best to clean the fans and the air vents to prevent clogs.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check the CO detector batteries.

3-Foot Rule

Homeowners should keep the 3-foot rule in mind to avoid any fire hazards. The 3-foot rule states that any combustible object needs to be placed at a distance of at least 3 feet.

CO Detectors

CO is not only extremely dangerous, but it is also hard to detect. Installing CO detectors in the most frequented rooms ensures you’ll be prompted if Carbon Monoxide leaks inside your room. You will have enough time to vacate the premises and call the authorities to handle the issue.

Without these detectors, you won’t even realize there’s a leak until it’s too late.

The Takeaway

You can run a direct-vent gas fireplace for days on end without having any issues. But when it comes to ventless gas fireplaces, you should not run them for more than two to three hours at a time.

Leaving a gas fireplace on throughout the night increases the chance of CO poisoning or a house fire. So, regardless of the gas fireplace type, it is best to only run a fireplace under supervision.

Also, ensure you get your fireplace installed by a professional and inspected yearly. This will make sure that your fireplace is working safely and efficiently.