Ventless fireplace vs. forced air heating system?

We live in a 5,000 square foot house in Chicago, 3 floors up and an English Basement. We had a ventless fireplace installed and run it about 14 hours straight in the winter and just keep our zoned heating (forced air) off. Is it cheaper/more efficient to use the ventless or am I spending MORE money running the ventless non-stop? Being that the ventless is 100% efficient, or close to it, it can easily heat the upper three floors comfortably. So, am I spending more using the ventless? I'm trying to save $$ with gas being so high these days. Thank you to everyone in advance.

Public Comments

1. Ventless. I'm getting one two. Tennessee electric rates are high since Bush. Can't afford to run heat pump.
2. the ventless is over working it is costing you alot more to run
3. well maybe you are, maybe you arent. compare gas bills (usage,not dollar amounts) with and without the ventless heater going. at any rate, get a carbon monoxide detector and install it in the room with the heater.
4. run the logs and turn ur fan on ur forced air to the "on" slot and this will move the heat around and use less heat....u can even turn it down a notch....when we design a house that will have ventless logs we try and get a HVAC return very close to the logs to pick up the heat and pass it along to the rest of the house..... lic. gen. contractor