Whether you've already decided to make the change from a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace or if you are still hesitant about making the leap, here is a quick and helpful guide to some elements for consideration when converting your fireplace.

Why Convert to Gas?

If you're still hesitant about making the change from your wood-burning fireplace to a gas-burning one, the biggest reason to make the switch is gas fireplaces are much more efficient and convenient, while still retaining an authentic flame to heat your home.

No more days of chopping or storing wood or dealing with the smokey smell escaping into your home. Gas fireplaces produce a jolly, dancing flame at the push of a button or the click of a remote, while a wood fire requires time to build up the logs, ignite the fire, and stoking the flames before you can think about sitting back and relaxing. Not to mention gas fireplaces burn cleaner, and leave no ash behind, meaning no clean-up post-fire.

A gas fireplace can be run on either natural gas or propane, although natural gas is more efficient. A final consideration is a gas fireplace will add a small cost to your energy bill each month, especially if your pilot light runs constantly all year, but you will no longer need to continually purchase and store large stacks of logs.

What Do I Need to Convert?

First, it is essential to ensure the wood-burning fireplace is in fact a wood-burning fireplace and not a wood stove or another type of wood-burning appliance.

Second, your home must have the correct size gas line. It is easiest to have a professional connect the correct gas line to the fireplace when you have your gas insert or a gas log set installed.

Finally, it is important to have an expert, such as a licensed chimney sweep, conduct a chimney inspection before the installation of the new fireplace. It is important to fix any damage or decay in the flue or masonry of the chimney or clean out the creosote build-up before the conversion to a gas fireplace occurs.

Gas Insert vs Gas Logs

A gas insert is ideal if you have a wood-burning fireplace already installed. The gas insert simply needs to be inserted into the existing fireplace. A gas insert, in general, will release more heat than gas logs.

Gas logs are ceramic logs surrounding a gas burner that can be installed into an existing fireplace. Gas logs are the cheaper of the two options, but also less efficient, and will give off less heat. The logs will have a more realistic look, like a wood-burning fireplace. The logs will glow where the flame is ignited, giving the effect of glowing embers.

Traditional Gas Insert

A gas insert will fit seamlessly into an existing fireplace, to match the style of the previous fireplace. The main consideration for installation is ensuring the chimney is lined with stainless steel. It will last longer and protect the masonry of your house as the chimney delivers all the byproducts of the fire to the outside.

Direct Vent Gas Insert

The direct vent gas insert is different from the traditional one because instead of a stainless steel-lined chimney, it requires a co-linear vent system. This system involved two pipes, one that draws in fresh air to fuel the fire combustion, and the other that releases the combustion byproducts. This type of system can only be installed vertically. The direct vent also differs because it is a completely sealed firebox. Because of this, by-products will not be released into the room and it will not affect the air quality inside and is often the recommended choice for people with asthma.

Ventless Gas Insert

The ventless gas insert doesn’t require a vent and doesn't require a chimney. Because this design has no way for the heat to escape through a chimney, it is the most efficient model, and all the heat from the fire will work to heat the home. This insert will fit into the existing fireplace and cover up the vent leading into the chimney.

Rather than pulling air in from the chimney, this model draws in air from the room the fireplace is placed. Vent-Free models can be bought as a standalone box, and the gas logs purchased separately, or together

Vented Gas Logs

Vented gas logs will give you the most realistic-looking fire of all the gas inserts for your fireplace. These logs will produce carbon monoxide so your fireplace must have an open flue or chimney with an open damper for these toxins to vent out of the house. Due to the ventilation required for this system a large portion of the heat produced by the gas logs will be lost to the outside. The bottom line, these logs will provide the authentic ambiance of a wood-burning fire, with the convenience of a gas fireplace, but will take more time to heat up a room, especially larger rooms or homes.

Ventless Gas Logs

If you don't have a chimney, or would rather not open your damper, ventless gas logs are a better option for you. These gas logs aren't quite as realistic looking as vented gas logs, but they offer a lot more efficiency and heat for your house.  They are designed to burn at almost 100% efficiency and therefore produce minimal amounts of byproducts if any at all. If you desire another heating source for your home, vent-less gas logs are the solution. Because these logs don't need a vent to the outside, no heat will escape to the outside, and will all be concentrated into the inside.

For more information see our article on Ventless vs Vented Gas Logs.

Cost of Converting

The cost will depend on which gas insert or a gas log set you decide to install. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $150 - $15,000 depending on the size and quality of the appliance you choose. It is possible to purchase a set of gas logs for $150, then depending on what work needs to be done for installation, repairs to the flue, or connecting the gas line will contribute to the final cost.

Is it Safe to Convert a Wood-Burning Fireplace to Gas?

It is a straightforward process to convert a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace, but it is essential to have a licensed professional install the appliances and run the gas line to the appliance. It is NOT recommended homeowners do this process themselves, to ensure the appliance is installed safely for the inhabitants of the home as well as making sure the appliance meets all the city and residential codes.

On top of a professional installation, it is recommended that gas fireplaces are inspected once a year by a professional to ensure proper function and no repairs are needed. If no repairs are needed, a yearly cleaning of the vents on a gas fireplace will not be necessary, like with a wood-burning fireplace.

Finally, it is best to make sure a carbon monoxide detector is installed in your home, and the batteries of these detectors are regularly replaced.

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