A guy was on his first parachute jump. As he fell, he pulled the cord and nothing happened. As he continued to fall, he saw another man flying up from the ground. He called: “Do you know anything about parachutes?” The other man responded: “No. Do you know anything about gas fireplaces?”
All the heat goes up the flue, but they are pretty.
I don't think you need new gas logs, I think you might need a new firebox that is rated for ventless use. I have double-sided (open to two rooms) ventless logs and they can heat my whole house if I leave all the doors open and the central fan running.
The ventless fire box is actually a box within a box that allows room air to enter through an intake in the bottom between the boxes, the air flows up the sides and across the top and exits vents across the top face. An optional blower fan is available which is nice.
The ventless box had very specific installation requirements and local codes vary. Since you are dealing with a brick firebox you don't have may issues. (I installed in a wood frame wall. I did the installation my self but hired a licensed contractor to run and connect the gas lines.)
A fireman is not necessarily an expert. I suspect he is right, but I would ask the manufacture of the firebox if it is rated for ventless use.
Two things to be careful about with ventless logs:
- Make sure you have a large enough volume of open space available for the logs to draw oxygen from. No small rooms, no bedrooms. Follow the instructions of the log manufacturer to calculate what the minimum volume is.
- I strongly recommend a carbon monoxide/flammable gas alarm. You can pick one up at Lowes/Home Depot for about $70. Local code may require it.
LOL!