| $ Gas Fireplace Logs: $1K - $3K | $ $ Gas Fireplace Insert: $2,5K - $6K |
A fireplace is not just a device in your house to get warm during the colder months of the year, it can also be an important design item in the room where you want to place it.
Nowadays, there is a great variety of fireplaces to choose from in the market.
But if you already have a wood fireplace and you’re planning on making it more modern, gas fireplaces are a great option.
We’ll discuss the advantages of converting a wood fireplace into a gas fireplace, as well as its cost.
Table of Contents
What Is a Fireplace?
A fireplace traditionally is a semi-open area made of brick, metal, or stone that is used to burn wood.
A fireplace has various parts, such as the firebox (where the fire is contained), the chimney (where the smoke and toxic gases are released into the air and out of the house), the crown (which prevents water from getting inside the chimney), and the cap (that protects the chimney from environmental elements and animals).
What Is the Difference Between a Fireplace and a Chimney?
A fireplace, as previously mentioned, is a structure where wood is burned or any other type of material created to produce a fire.
A chimney is the part of the fireplace where the smoke and other gases are released into the air.
Chimneys are necessary for fireplaces, particularly those that use wood and gas.
What Are the Different Types of Fireplaces?
The wood fireplace is the most traditional and popular type, but in the last few years, two more types of fireplaces have become available because of their convenience.
As its name indicates, the gas fireplace uses natural gas instead of wood to make a fire.
The electric fireplace is a device that simulates a real fireplace but it’s completely electric, so it does not generate smoke or toxic gases.
Why Should I Convert My Wood Fireplace to Gas?
There are various reasons why converting your wood fireplace to gas could be a good idea.
Even though wood fireplaces can’t be replaced, a gas fireplace might be more convenient for you and your house.
Wood fireplaces require a lot of maintenance and attention, and they are generally more expensive than other types of fireplaces.
Gas fireplaces are easier to maintain, it’s cheaper to use, and generates fewer polluting emissions than wood fireplaces.
A disadvantage of converting your wood fireplace to gas is that you won’t have those crackling fire sounds or that great wood-burning scent anymore.
But, in the end, you can save more money, contaminate much less, and have a more efficient fireplace in your house.
What Are the Three Types of Gas Fireplaces?
If you want to convert your wood fireplace to gas, you’ll have to choose between a gas fireplace insert, vent-free gas logs, and vented gas logs.
The gas insert fireplace is considered to be the most efficient among the different types of gas fireplaces, but it’s also the most expensive.
A metal box that has two sections is placed inside the fireplace you already have, and the gas will then heat the air between the boxes, generating heat.
Vented logs can also be located in the fireplace you already have since they produce toxic gases that need to be released through the chimney.
They are less efficient than ventless logs because they need more fuel to generate the same kind of heat.
Vent-free logs or ventless logs, don’t require a chimney, thus generating more heat than vented logs, and they are also less expensive.
However, the flames in ventless logs don’t look as natural, which could be a disadvantage.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Wood Fireplace to Gas?
The cost of converting your wood fireplace to gas is going to depend mostly on the type of gas installation you prefer, the models you choose, how difficult it would be to make the gas installation, and the city where you live.
If you select gas logs, it could cost from $1,000 to $3,000 to convert your old wood fireplace to gas.
For a gas fireplace insert, the cost is generally from $2,500 to $6,000.
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