Vent Free Gas Heater Support

All installed gas products sold by World Marketing of America Inc. should only be installed and/or serviced by a qualified installer, service agency, or gas supplier. The information published on this website is meant to further educate the end user. This information does not replace the owner’s manual provided with the heater. The owner’s manual must be read and all instructions followed to avoid potentially hazardous conditions.

 

 

My igniter won’t spark. (Battery operated).

The battery may not be installed, or is installed backwards.

The battery may be weak or dead. Try replacing it.

The igniter wire might simply be loose and in need of tightening.

There could be a crack in the igniter wire. In this case you may see a spark from somewhere else on the wire. You may need to replace the wire if it is damaged.

 

 

My igniter won’t spark. (Piezo Type).

If you do not hear a loud snap when you press down on the igniter, the igniter needs replaced.

If you hear a loud snap, but there is no spark at the igniter, the igniter wire might simply be loose and in need of tightening.

If you hear a loud snap, but there is no spark at the igniter, there could be a crack in the igniter wire. In this case you may see a spark from somewhere else on the wire. You may need to replace the wire if it is damaged.

 

 

There is no gas coming through the pilot?

If this is a new installation of a liquid propane (LP) appliance it is likely that an external regulator was not installed. If the gas flows to the regulator under too much pressure, the internal regulator will close. This is not a defect.  Contact your qualified installer for additional information.

If too small of a gas line is used, there may not be sufficient pressure to maintain the pilot light or the pilot may go out as soon as the main burner is lit. The only solution is to install the correct sized pipe.

If the water column pressure is too low and piping of sufficient size has been used, contact your gas supplier to see if the gas pressure can be increased.

When attempting to light your appliance you must turn both the control knob to the pilot position and press the knob down at the same time to start the flow of gas. The gas will not flow if the knob is not fully depressed. Once the pilot is lit, continue to hold down the valve for 30 seconds and release.  If the pilot does not stay lit, you may have air left in the lines from installation. Repeat the lighting process until the pilot remains lit. This may take several attempts after initial installation.

 

 

Odors?

Operating your heater where impurities in the air exist may create odors. Cleaning supplies, paint, paint remover, cigarette smoke, cements and glues, new carpet, candles, air freshners, textiles, etc., create fumes. These fumes may mix with combustion air and create odors. You will want to ventilate the room of all odors and clean the unit.

 

 

Slight smoke or odor during initial operation?

It’s normal for some residue from the manufacturing process to be on the appliance. Operate the unit on high for four to six hours with your windows open to burn off the “NEW” odor and the smell should go away.

 

 

My gas stove/fireplace is smoking.

In most cases, this is a problem in log placement or use. If a log is touching the flame or just "licking" it once in awhile it will still leave soot. Wipe the appliance clean and burn it without logs for an hour or so. Chances are it will be clean indicating that you have placed the logs incorrectly. If the flames are bouncing around, it may be a draft from a doorway or a ceiling fan causing the problem. If there seems to be smoke coming off of a hot painted surface, then it's probably just some oil left behind from the factory. This will stop.

If the soot is not in the heater, but on the walls, around windows etc., then this is a sign that something in the air (household chemicals, dust, candle wax, cigarette smoke, etc.) is being burned. This will stop once the air in the room is clean and clear of contaminants. Other factors affecting the heater can be a lot of cooking odors in the air, high moisture from a big family with heavy shower use, any remodeling, etc.

 

 

Problems in use above 4500 ft.

Vent-free heaters will not work consistently above 4500 feet. At these elevations there is not enough pure oxygen present to produce the correct pilot flame. The flame will burn high and erratically as it “hunts” for oxygen to burn. This erratic flame fails to heat the thermocouple completely resulting in a drop in the millivolts produced and the gas valve shuts off the gas supply to the heater. There is no solution to solve this complaint. If your home is above 4500 feet you may need to look into appliances that do not require an ODS.

 

 

What is the difference between vented and ventless heating?

Vented heating requires ventilation to the outside, either through piping or a damper in an existing fireplace.
Both types of heating are safe provided the specific unit has been certified and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Are Ventless gas products safe to use the home?

Yes, most states in the US allow for the sale and installation of vent-free “supplemental” gas heat appliances.
Vent less products are equipped with an ODS pilot assembly, precision-engineered burners for clean burn and a non-adjustable regulator to prevent over-firing. The purpose of the ODS is to shut off the supply of gas to the heater/fireplace when the oxygen level drops below 18%.
All major building codes categorize vent-free as “supplemental heat”. Local codes may vary. California does not currently permit the use of vent-free installation. For more information refer to: www.ventfree.org

 

What are the restrictions for Ventless NG?

Natural gas from the ground is odorless. The characteristic “gas” odor is added afterwards by the supplier called “mercaptan”, containing sulfur, which will give it the characteristic “rotten egg” odor.
NG units cannot be connected to a private (non-utility) gas well, also known as “well-head” gas. These are typically found in rural areas where there is not an access to utility owned gas lines. This gas is odorless, therefore unsafe because a leak cannot be detected quickly.

 

What type of regulator is required outside for a LP appliance?

Regulators are sized to the appliance, not the container you are connecting to. There are three (3) key pieces of information:
BTU Load of the appliance
Operating pressure of the appliance (W.C. 11”-14” of water column pressure)
The required inlet and outlet pipe size. ( Refer to Troubleshooting Section)
The “Integral Twin Stage System” is the most common for residential installations. If the propane tank is 15’ or more from the appliance, a “Two-Stage System” is recommended because of the propane required for the appliance to run correctly and efficiently.

 

            Integral Twins Two Stage System                                                        Two Stage System

 

What is the difference between a dedicated gas product vs. dual fuel?

Dedicated products are manufactured with parts engineered specifically for either natural gas or propane (LP) and cannot be converted from one gas to another.
Dual fuel products offer the choice of using natural gas or propane (LP)

 

What does the term“BTU” mean?

A “BTU” is a British Thermal Unit. BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise one (1) pound of water one-degree Fahrenheit.
• 1 BTU = the heat generated by 1 lit matchstick.
• BTU limitations based on the cubic feet of air available in an area.
• Manifold pressure and orifice size determines the BTU output of the burners.

What is “Water Column Pressure” (W.C.)?

Low pressure is any pressure below 1 pound per square inch (PSI). When dealing with pressures below 1 PSI, you will see the term “inches” or “inches of water column”. This refers to the amount of pressure it takes to raise a column of water 1 inch. There are 27.7 inches of water column (W.C.) pressure in 1 PSI of pressure.
W.C. is measured with a “manometer” (pressure gauge), which measures the pressure of gases and vapors.

• 7.0″ W.C. = approx. ¼ lb. PSI
• 13.5” W.C = approx. ½ lb. PSI
Regulator W/Plunger
• For LP: Unit needs 11.0” – 14.0” W.C.
• For NP:
No-Step Regulator
• For LP: Unit needs 11.0” – 14.0” W.C.
• For NP:
Note: The maximum pressure in a residential dwelling is 2 psi. Kozy-World/Comfort Glow units are low-pressure systems. For NG, an additional meter may be needed if dwelling is on a 2 psi system

What is an “Oxygen Depletion Sensor” (ODS)?

All Ventless or Vent-Free appliances are equipped with an ODS pilot assembly. The purpose of the ODS is to shut off the supply of gas to the heater/fireplace when the oxygen level drops below 18%.
During operation, if the pilot flame goes out for any reason, the thermocouple or thermopile will cool and shut the gas valve that supplies the supply to the burner, shutting down the heater. There must be adequate air ventilation for units to function properly.
ODS system contains a precision orifice. This ODS has a “ruby” orifice and designed to disintegrate with any attempt at drilling it out to enlarge the pilot flame. Additionally, it is not interchangeable with a normal standing pilot. Trying to burn gas at extremely low oxygen levels can cause deadly gases and high levels of Carbon Monoxide.

 

 

 

 

 Normal Operation                                        Oxygen Level Dropping                         Safety Shutdown

 

Normal Operation - 20.9% Oxygen - Pilot flame engulfs tip of the thermocouple, generating the millivoltage needed to hold the safety pilot valve open.

Oxygen Level Dropping - 19% Oxygen - The flame begins to lift-off the precision pilot burner, causing the thermocouple to cool.

Safety Shutdown - 18% Oxygen - The unstable pilot flame moves away from the thermocouple causing the thermocouple to stop generating the electricity needed to hold the spring loaded safety valve open causing the flow of gas to stop.

What is “Carbon Monoxide”?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is measured in parts-per million(ppm) An average cigarette emits 60-ppm draw or drag. Vent-Free products emit only 8ppm of CO over a three (3) hour period. Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) considers air quality at 200 ppm of CO to be unsafe. Vent-Free appliances are 99.9% efficient and are safer to operate than a gas range.
Carbon Monoxide Level of Toxicity:
• 200 ppm > Slight headache within 2-3 hours.
• 400 ppm > Frontal headache with 1-2 hours, becoming widespread in 3 hours
• 8400 ppm > Dizziness, nausea, convulsions within 45 minutes, insensible in 2 hours.
Vent-free products are AGA approved, therefore certified to conform to National emissions Standards. A Carbon Monoxide detector is not required for product installation.

What is “water vapor” and it’s relation to vent-free heating?

Water vapor is a by-product of gas combustion. An unvented room heater produces approximately one (1) oz. (30ml) of water every 1,000 BTU’s (.3KW’s) of gas input per hour. Unvented room heaters are recommended as supplemental heat rather than primary heat source. In most supplemental heat application, the water vapor does not create a problem. In most applications, the water vapor enhances the low humidity atmosphere experienced during cold weather.
The following steps will help insure that water vapor does not become a problem:
• Heater sized properly for the application, including ample combustion air and circulation air.
• Experience high humidity, a dehumidifier may be used to help lower the water vapor content of the air
• 8400 ppm >Do not use an unvented room heater as the “primary heat source”
Example: Vapor (sweating) on windows or walls – unit is too large for the area.

What is the difference between Blue Flame and Infrared?

                                             

                   Blue Flame                                                                                                 Infrared (Plaque)

 

Blue Flame - Heats like a central heating system, heating the air first and then circulating warmth throughout the room, the hot air rises.  May take longer to heat the room as it works to "convect" the entire area.  Typically works better in insulated areas.

Infrared (Plaque) - Heats like the sun, radiating warmth, directly heating the objects in the room first, heating outward.  Feels more like standing in front of a fire.  Typically works better in un-insulated areas as they will heat objects before the air.

Where can I install a Ventless or Vent Free heating product?

Never install the heater:
• Over 10,000 Btu/Hr in a bathroom
• Over 6,000Btu/Hr in bathroom (Check local codes.)
• In a recreational vehicle
• Where curtains, furniture, clothing, or other flammable objects are less than 36″ from the front, top, or sides of the heater
• In high traffic areas
• In windy or drafty areas
Important: Please check your local and state codes for vent-free appliance installation.
Please review the owner/operator Installation manual for a specific model.

Where do I find the Model and Serial number?

Model:
• Original Box
• Owner’s Manual – Top Right
• Wall Heaters: Hang tags on steel cable or sticker on the side.
• Gas Logs – Hang tags on steel cable under the grate.
• Fireplaces – Hang tags on steel cable on back of unit or inside the louver door area.
Serial #:
• Wall Heaters: Hang tags on steel cable or sticker on the side
• Gas Logs – Hang tags on steel cable under the grate
• Fireplaces – Hang tags on steel cable on back of unit or inside the louver door area

 

 

 

 

 

All installed gas products sold by World Marketing of America Inc. should only be installed and/or serviced by a qualified installer, service agency, or gas supplier. The information published on this website is meant to further educate the end user.

 These documents are for reference purposes and not intended to replace your owner’s manual. It is important to read your owner’s manual in its entirety which has been designed to instruct you as to the proper manner in which to assemble the heater, maintain the heater, store the heater, and most importantly, how to operate the heater in a safe and efficient manner. Visit our Owner's Manual section to find a copy of your heater's owner's manual.

 

 

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