Would like to know the opinion of you all on gas logs in a totally ICF house, we're looking at @ 2500 SF in main level with same in unfinished (for now) basement, with @ 450 sf bonus room over garage, want to do geothermal with radiant heated floors & use valance cooling system, and want fireplace in great room upstairs, for ambiance mostly. Don't want to haul wood, like the idea of the gas logs.. can we use unvented in a tight house like this? What are your thoughts?? Thanks in advance for any/all help! d-
ps we're in Western NC @ 1800 ft elevation, moderate climate.

If you install a gas fireplace as decoration, then it does not matter whether it is vented or unvented.  However, if you plan to use the fireplace more than 45 minutes per 24 hour period, then the fireplace should be vented regardless whether the house is tight or not.

If your wife is sensitive to the smell of gas go vented.  Once I went unvented, all future times will be vented.

Gosh, in this situation I think that it's a no-brainer! Direct Vent gas fireplace. I've got 3 of them in my house. In a tight house, using direct vent(furnaces, boilers and fireplaces) is the best possible scenario. I have found a direct vent pellet stove, but I have yet to find a direct vent (non-gas)fire place or wood stove(direct vent meaning that no indoor air is used for combustion).