What You Need to Know about Gas Fireplace Conversions

A fireplace in the home adds a touch of class to whatever room it graces, and, of course, can be a great option for keeping warm during the winter. However, many people would like to update their older fireplace, just like they do for other features of their home. Fortunately, a gas fireplace conversion is an easy and relatively affordable option that has become quite popular in recent years.

The Problem with Older Fireplaces

If you’re on the fence about the idea or you haven’t even considered it, there are a couple reasons why most people would rather do without their old fireplace. One is simply that it’s inconvenient. In the age of smartphones and Wi-Fi, no one wants to be troubled by manually loading up a hearth with wood and getting a fire started. This process not only takes longer than most would like, but also can also cause quite the mess.

Many people aren’t too fond of their chimney either. The old-fashioned kind can demand regular cleaning, especially if you have a pest problem. Squirrels, birds and even bats love a good chimney. That access to the outdoors can also cause unnecessary heat loss in your home.

After a gas fireplace conversion, these issues disappear. Starting a fire is as easy as turning on a light and many models these days even come with a remote. There’s absolutely no mess involved either way. Your chimney has no access to the home, so you’re not losing heat and you actually don’t even need the traditional kind that so many pests like to call home.

Options for a Gas Fireplace Conversion

One of the underappreciated benefits of a gas fireplace conversion is that it can give your room a whole new look. If you’re trying to modernize things, obviously you’re not going to get very far if your room features a fireplace from decades ago, for example. By switching out the fireplace, you can make it match any style you want for the room.

Your options for a gas fireplace include:

• A gas fireplace kit
• A vent-free gas fireplace
• A gas fireplace insert

None of these involve any changes to the structure of your home or room. However, in terms of their energy use, the way they’ll affect the inside of your home and their general aesthetic, there are some things worth considering. So let’s look at each of these models a little closer.

A Gas Fireplace Kit

For a long time, this was the most popular option for gas fireplaces. Essentially, it looks just like a traditional version, including a collection of logs and sometimes even a grate. While it looks cool, this model needs a damper that’s kept partially open at all times. Otherwise, someone could activate the fireplace and flood their home with carbon monoxide. However, having a damper open at all times means your home is losing the air you’re paying for—whether heated or cooled. The only other option would be to install airtight glass doors, but those could easily cost in excess of $1,000 all by themselves.

A Vent Free Gas Fireplace

One way to solve this problem is to install a vent free gas fireplace. There’s no exhaust going up your chimney, so you keep all the heat in your room. Unfortunately, this means you can really only run the fireplace for three to four hours. All the combustion ends up inside and this includes the moisture released. So this model also isn’t a good idea for homes where people have asthma, allergies, or heart problems. As you can only run it for a few hours at a time, this isn’t the best model for heating a room either.

A Gas Fireplace Insert

This final option is going to be your most expensive. You’re looking at spending about three times as much for this model. Open fires also aren’t an option with this version, but that also means no loss of air. Plus, you can run this fireplace for hours at a time without fear of moisture issues.

So if you’re still considering a gas fireplace conversion, those are your options. They’ll run between $1,000 and $3,000, for the most part, but if you love the look of a fireplace and the heat it provides, you’ll probably find it worth it. A gas fireplace conversion can also be handled in a day, meaning you won’t have to wait long for the finished product either.

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