What is the difference between B-Vent and Direct Vent?
These terms refer to how a gas appliance takes in the air it needs to burn gas. A B vent unit draws air from inside the home, through ports in the firebox itself. A Direct Vent unit draws air through a pipe from outside the home, into a sealed firebox. Direct Vent models are usually more efficient and safer for today’s airtight homes, since they do not use inside air or cause a conflict with range hoods and bathroom fans circulating the same air. B vent units are generally less expensive to install, but are more sensitive to air flow inside the home.
These terms refer to how a gas appliance takes in the air it needs to burn gas. A B vent unit draws air from inside the home, through ports in the firebox itself. A Direct Vent unit draws air through a pipe from outside the home, into a sealed firebox. Direct Vent models are usually more efficient and safer for today’s airtight homes, since they do not use inside air or cause a conflict with range hoods and bathroom fans circulating the same air. B vent units are generally less expensive to install, but are more sensitive to air flow inside the home.