Vent Pipe
Vent Free, Direct Vent or Fully Vented Fireplaces – How to Choose the Right One
First, let’s get an understanding of the venting used for each type of fireplace. The word “venting” refers to the means the fireplace uses to vent its exhaust safely from the room. In the case of Vent Free, exhaust is vented directly into the room. In a Vent Free system, the consumption of gas is limited to a maximum of 40,000 BTU per hour to help prevent the room from being “starved” of oxygen. In a Direct Vent system, a double vent pipe is used (pipe within a pipe). The outer pipe draws fresh air from outside to feed the combustion process while the inner pipe vents out the exhaust from the combustion. A Fully Vented system, including a B-Vent system, uses either a masonry chimney or a B-Vent (double wall metallic pipe). Now that we touched on the three primary methods of venting, we can take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
1. Vent Free – As mentioned, a Vent Free system vents its exhaust directly into the room. In other words, it does not use a chimney at all. As you can imagine, this can cause a carbon monoxide concern as this system continuously uses oxygen from the room it’s being used in. For this reason, Vent Free systems are equipped with an oxygen detection safety pilot which detects when the oxygen level falls below 18%. If this occurs, the gas will automatically be shut off. The pros for this type of fireplace? You can install them almost anywhere in your home. They are very efficient, meaning you get almost 100% of the heat benefit from the fuel you are burning (the heat is not escaping outdoors). The downsides of this type of burning system? You need to buy specific types of burners/log sets specially made for Vent Free systems. You cannot burn wood in them nor regular vented log sets nor other specialty vented products. If you have respiratory-related health conditions, you may want to think twice before installing this type of system.
2. Direct Vent – A Direct Vent system pulls fresh air in and sends its exhaust out through a combined flu system. The flu pipe vents either out of the top or out of the back of the fireplace, for versatility. The flu pipe generally exits through a side wall in your room. The positives for this type of fireplace? No chimney is required, so less expensive to install than a Fully Vented fireplace. They are highly efficient and may be used as a gas wall furnace. If you like a fireplace with a sealed fire box (because of children, cats, etc.) this style may work well for you. The cons? You can’t burn wood in it. They require specific types of burners and logs so you cannot use specialty vented products in them. You are not supposed to burn them without the glass cover attached, as this disrupts the air flow in the balanced vent system.
3. Fully Vented – A Fully Vented system is what most of us think of when we think of a traditional fireplace. Most of us think of a fireplace having a full chimney (like the kind Santa Claus comes down). Usually we think of a brick and mortar chimney, but a Fully Vented fireplace can also incorporate a B-Vent flu (a double wall metallic pipe that rises up from the fireplace and out through the roof). Air for combustion comes from the room. The upsides of this type of fireplace? You can burn wood it in. You can purchase a model that helps to make it more heat efficient by having a fire box “float” inside a second box so that air can circulate around the fire box and back into the room. You can burn many kinds of vented fire logs and specialty vented fireplace products in this style of fireplace. Now the cons. For a new fireplace installation, you may spend more money having a chimney built than you would with the other styles. This style is less heat efficient than the other two styles.
Hopefully, you have a much clearer understanding of the three types of fireplaces that were discussed. After reading the various points on each, you may have very valid reasons for choosing one over the other to suite your needs. I’m glad this article helped you make this decision. Personally, I choose Fully Vented because I like the versatility of being able to use this type of fireplace for a number of different products. New products are coming out all the time and I don’t want to be restricted from using them. With Fully Vented, you can switch to different types of products as often as you choose.
About the Author
Carl Herkes
– Owner of
ExoticFlames.com
and
GlassFlames.com
shares his knowledge.
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Presto Pressure Cooker Vent Pipe 29011 $0.99 |
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Presto Pressure Cooker Vent Pipe 390 $0.99 |
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Presto Pressure Cooker Vent Pipe 1058 $0.99 |
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1993 GI JOE Star Brigade Invader Vent Pipe $1.00 |
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AMERI-VENT 5AB 5″ GAS VENT PIPE SUPPORT 50596 $1.00 |
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Details West HO #349 Fuel Tank Vent Pipe pkg(2) — Dual $1.25 |
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Dryer Vent Pipe System 4″ Steel Clamp $1.50 |
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GI Joe Cobra 1993 Invader Star Brigade Vent Pipe Original Part $1.50 |
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RV Plumbing stack Pipe Vent Cover Camper Trailer – You Choose Color White or Tan $1.97 |
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Polaris Sportsman 800 700 Clutch Intake Vent Tube Pipe Breather $1.99 |
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Yamaha Grizzly 660 4×4 ATV Breather Pipe Vent Intake Tubes $1.99 |
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Polaris Magnum 330 4×4 Intake Vent Tubes Pipes Breather Cooler $1.99 |
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G.I. GI Joe 1993 STAR BRIGADE INVADER VENT PIPE PART $1.99 |
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UNIQUE VENTED WALL DESIGN~PIPE~NWOT $1.99 |
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RV Plumbing Pipe Roof Vent Cap Cover Marine pop-top NEW $1.99 |
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GRAY METAL SOUTH 4-30-300 4 x 2 GALVANIZED VENT PIPE $2.00 |
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HART & COOLEY 6RN7 6″ TO 7″ TYPE B VENT PIPE 15957 $2.00 |
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Lambro 267W White Plastic Louvered Vent with Tail Pipe $2.20 |
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Ventline Plastic Plumbing Vent for 1 1/4″ Pipe $2.27 |
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Ventline Plastic Plumbing Vent for 1 1/2″ Pipe $2.27 |
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Details West HO #305 Drain & Vent Pipes $2.35 |
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Galvanized 4″ Stove Pipe Vent Pipe 24″ Length $2.65 |
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POLAR WHITE RV /CAMPER / TRAILER PLUMBING VENT / ROOF VENT – FITS 1 1/2″ PIPE $2.75 |
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12″ Length Walnut Colored Stove Pipe Vent Pipe $2.95 |
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12″ Length Walnut Colored Stove Pipe Vent Pipe $2.95 |
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Selkirk Metalbestos 3VP-12 Vent Pipe $2.99 |
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GI Joe 1993 Star Brigade COBRA INVADER Vent Pipe $2.99 |
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GI Joe 1987 COBRA POGO Vent Pipe $2.99 |
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SIMPSON 3GV18 3 X 18 B-VENT PIPE 155946 $3.00 |
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SIMPSON 6GV06 6 X 6 B-VENT PIPE 155949 $3.00 |
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1993 Vintage Gi Joe Cobra Invader Vent Pipe $3.00 |
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400 NEW PIECES OF (METALBESTOS) GAS VENT PIPE IN BOXES DIFFERENT SIZES $3.00 |
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Furnace Double Wall Pipe B Vent 3″ x 36″ Amerivent ducts $3.24 |
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S & K Products D-284 4″ VENT PIPE CAP $3.35 |
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Walnut Colored Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Non Adjustble Elbow $3.49 |
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New Rinnai Vent Pipe Clamp $3.49 |
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24″ Length Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Walnut Colored $3.75 |
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Elbow, Pipe To Hose Front Geared Hub Vent Line $3.76 |
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24″ Length Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Walnut Colored $3.95 |
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Boston Gear E643 70426 3/8 NPT Pipe Thread Breather Vent 3/4″Long 11/16″ Hex NEW $3.99 |
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Boston Gear 70425 Breather Vent 1/4″Male NPT Pipe Thread 5/8″Long 9/16″Hex E642 $3.99 |
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Dryer Vent Pipe System 4″ Rigid Aluminum Extension $3.99 |
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Baja Motorsports Motorcycle Crankcase Breather Vent Tube Pipe 125cc Dirt Bike $4.00 |
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METAL-FAB 3M12 3″ X 12″ B-VENT GALVANIZED PIPE 140095 $4.00 |
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METAL-FAB 3M24 3″ X 24″ B-VENT PIPE 82247 $4.00 |
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Furnace Double Wall Pipe B Vent 5″ x 12″ Amerivent ducts $4.19 |
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Walnut Colored Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Non Adjustble Elbow $4.49 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $4.70 |
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Plastic Ventilation Ducting Pipe for Vent 4″x350mm long $4.70 |
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24″ Length Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Walnut Colored $4.75 |
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Polaris Sportsman 700 600 Intake Vent Tubes Pipe Hoses ATV $4.79 |
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Camco RV Pipe Vent Cap White with Spring 40034 $4.89 |
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6 Inch Walnut Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Adjustable Elbow $4.95 |
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Pikestuff N Scale MAC Roof Pipes & Vents Kit NEW 8113 $4.95 |
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(10) 2″ PVC/ABS Drain/Vent Pipe Hangers J-Hook Style $4.95 |
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87 KAWASAKI 300 RUBBER HOSE VENT PIPE 440 650 550 86 85 $4.99 |
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Rinnai 224087PP Condensing Vent Pipe Extension,10-Inch for Gas Appliance Venting $4.99 |
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Setmark Pipe Markers #34681 – VENT – Fits 6″ Thru 7-7/8″ pipes $4.99 |
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Joyner 1100 Trooper T2 T4 Viper Cylnder Block Vent Pipe $4.99 |
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Dryer Vent Pipe System 4″ Rigid Aluminum 4″ x 24″ $4.99 |
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4″ GAS VENT PIPE 90 deg. ADJUSTABLE ELBOW $4.99 |
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H20 Honda CBR600 CBR 600 F3 1995 Emissions Vent Pipes 2 $5.00 |
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HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACES – VENT PIPE SCREENS PVC $5.00 |
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PRESTO Pressure Cooker Part Vent Pipe 01058 1058 $5.00 |
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91 XP SEADOO PARTS LOT VENT DRAIN HOSE BILGE TUBE SP GT $5.00 |
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HART & COOLEY 5RP24 5″ X 24″ B-VENT FLUE PIPE 22349 $5.00 |
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S25 Suzuki Burgman AN650 2006 Gas Cap Vent Seal Pipe $5.00 |
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81071 Vent-pipe fixed mount HSP RC Car 1/8 Parts $4.87 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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OS engine washers Vent-pipe gaskets OS50-55 class $5.50 |
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Pikestuff N #541-8113 MAC Roof Pipes & Vents $5.50 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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3mm I.D Samco Sport Silicone Vacuum Hose Breather Pipe Tube Vent & Carburettor $5.49 |
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GM Part # 15176195 Fuel Pipe vent Cap $5.57 |
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Polaris Sportsman 700 600 Intake Vent Tubes Pipe Hoses $5.75 |
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# Mirro-Matic Pressure Cooker Steam Vent Tube Pipe $5.95 |
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Galvanized 8″ Stove Pipe Vent Pipe Adjustable Elbow $5.95 |
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Vent Pipe for Presto pressure cookers/canners by National Presto 1058 $5.99 |
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MAZDA 626 929 MPV MX6 VENT PIPE $5.99 |
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All American 75 cleaning rod for vent pipe. $5.99 |
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Sea Doo GTS 587 Seadoo GTI Vent Tubes Tubing Pipe $5.99 |
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GENOVA AS-61457-03 2″ HORIZONTAL VENT PIPE PVC TEE $6.00 |
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METAL-FAB 6M6A 6″ B-VENT 6″ LENGTH PIPE 35239 $6.00 |
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NEW Presto Pressure Cooker Vent Pipe #29025 $6.00 |
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InSinkErator SST-FLTR 2/3-Gallon Stainless Tank and Filtration System $201.39 The InSinkErator Stainless Steel Tank and Filtration System (SST-FLTR) saves time in the kitchen, delivering 200-degree-Fahrenheit near-boiling water from its compact 2/3-gallon tank. The tank delivers unmatched performance with its many features and benefits. The durable stainless steel construction means longer life, the adjustable thermostat gives you a water temperature that can be adjusted to… |
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Presto 4-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker $41.17 Pressure cookers have experienced renewed popularity over the last several years because cooks have rediscovered what some cooks (particularly grandmas) have known for a long time–they’re really fast. And it’s easy to cook healthfully with pressure cookers, since the food retains so much more of its nutrients and flavor. Presto’s 4-quart stainless steel pressure cooker is a multi-purpose pot that… |
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Pipedream Products Boobie Cake Pan, Silver $7.74 Ever wanted to lick frosting off a pair of breasts? Now’s your chance! Whip up some fun with this cake pan in the shape of a pair of breasts. Whether it’s a bachelor party or some other occasion that calls for naughty snacks, your cake will be the one everyone wants to sink their teeth into!… |
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Dundas Jafine BTD48TC ProFlex Clothes Dryer Transition Duct UL 2158A Listed & Marked With 2 Tension Clamps, 4-Inch by 8-Foot $5.94 Constructed of 4 ply aluminum foil laminate. Flexible. Ideal for gas and electric clothes dryer installations. Fire resistant, will not support combustion. UL 2158A listed and marked. 2 metal tension clamps included. 4” diameter x 8′ long. Retail box…. |
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Dryer Dock Vent Hose Quick Connect $5.45 Dryer Dock is the easy way to connect your dryer hose and keep it securely connected…. |
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Gardus RLE202 LintEater 10-Piece Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning System $20.39 10 piece kit. Clean vents up to 12′. Includes (4) 36” long flexible rods that screw together to reach into dryer vents; self feeding 4” auger brush makes multiple turns in your vent; blockage removal tool removes heavy blockages, and clears gutters and downspouts; large 2.5” diameter lint brush with 42” reach; vacuum adaptor to connect to a shop vac or blower vac to remove lint while rotary br… |
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Anti Snoring and Sleep Apnea Aid. Nasivent 100% Grade Medical Soft Silicone Nose Dilator. Increase Oxygen and Lowers High Blood Pressure. $24.95 Why the NASIVENT Tube®? In three quarters (3/4) of all cases, Snoring and Sleep Apnea is caused by the entrance to the nose being blocked or too narrow. This appears when the muscles of the nostrils and face starts to weaken. The NASIVENT Tube® helps the group of people whose snoring and Sleep apnea is caused by a nasal blockage, this is happen in (75%-80% in all cases) Once inserted, the so… |
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Gardus R3203612 LintEater 12-Foot Extension Kit $12.35 LintEater, 12′, Dryer Vent Cleaning Extension Kit, Adds To Your LintEater Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning System, Runs Longer Than 15′, Includes: Four 3′ Long Flexible Rods and 1 Rod Storage Tube…. |
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Coolerguys Flexible Vent Duct Tubing with 80mm Fan End Caps Long (19.5-60) $16.00 Coolerguys Flexible Vent Duct Tubing with 80mm Fan End Caps Extremely easy and simple to work with! This is a great way to vent your airstream where you need it. This tubing is completely flexible for placement around and through intricate cabinet work or through computer case obstacles. The flexible venting can be easily removed and repositioned by just snapping the tubing together and resett… |
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Selkirk 6RV-UAM Universal Adapter $16.98 Allows Metalbestos B vent connectors to be used in conjunction with other brands of existing vent. Male adapter used to adapt to Metalbestos pipe toward termination. Female adapter used to adapt to Metalbestos pipe toward appliance…. |
