Did you Have A Gas Fireplace Installed in an Existing Wood Burning Fireplace?

[Qs Laptop]

I've got another thread going here: How do You Know if it's Safe to Have a Fire in Your Fireplace?

Bottom line is that I'm being told I need a flue liner installed in my existing chimney. Cost estimate was $7,950. DW says to forget it and get a gas fireplace insert installed.

If you have gotten a gas fireplace insert installed in an existing wood fireplace box, please tell me about it.]

How much did it cost?
What about running the gas line to the fireplace?
What do you like about it?
What don't you like about it?

etc.

 

[Kings over Queens]

We had a gas fireplace in our office back in the day and learned it was very much against code. It needed to be vented and have it's own fresh air source. It was going to cost thousands of dollars to correct it, so we abandon it.

I'm almost positive that an insert is going to need a means of venting, such as a flue. A self contained box unit might not.

I'll be interested to see the reply's and the final result, but my first guess is that the amount of work and cost isn't going to be worth it. Google says average cost is $3,700.

 

[Retire2023]

Not quite the same thing, but we added a gas fireplace in our upstairs living room. It's in a corner next to the attic storage area and it directly vents to the outside from behind that wall. Since it was a whole fireplace and not just an insert, it was probably a bit more than you would pay. It was ~$6k back in 2007. DH said I was nuts to put in a gas fireplace upstairs when we have a woodburning one downstairs, but after it was installed, guess who loves to stand in front of it whenever it is on! We have really enjoyed having it as you can turn it on the just take the chill off in the morning and then just turn it off. We did the install at the same time the generator was installed, so the tank and part of the gas line running was included in that.

 

[Jerry1]

We converted our wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace. We're very happy with it. I don't recall the cost but I'm sure it would be more now because we bought it several years ago - definitely pre-COVID.

Like you, we never had a real fire in the fireplace and it didn't look like the previous owners did either. We didn't want the trouble of a standard fireplace so we went directly to a gas insert. We like it a lot.

Running the gas line was not a problem. Our gas line was in a utility room connected with the back of the chimney. Either way, they use a flexible tubing and it's not really a big deal. If you have a basement or crawl space, even better.

What we like about it is the look, the heat, the simplicity of it (works off a remote) and the safety. It's safer than a real fire plus it has a dual pipe flue so it draws air from outside the house and expels the exhaust through the other tube. Both end in a cap on the old flue. They just ran it up the chimney, no chimney work involved. As you can see in the picture, we did have to have a rather large frame/border to cover the existing space, but still, we think it looks good. Not really anything we don't like about the fireplace.

 

[daver]

We went with Heat & Glo direct vent insert the Escape 35 inch model. The house was built in 1986 and had a gas line plumed inside the fire place so we only needed to run electrical. We installed the insert in 2015 and paid about $4500. The unit is basically a remote controlled 40,000 BTU furnace with two very quite variable speed blower motors and that heats the downstairs area of our home with ease and looks just like a wood burning fire place.

https://www.heatnglo.com/fireplaces/gas/inserts/escape-gas-fireplace-insert

Edit- They run the air inlet and exhaust up the existing chimney.

 

[rk911]

We moved into our current home in 1988. It had an existing wood burning fireplace that some previous owner had added a gas line. We still burn wood and use the gas as a starter...best of both worlds, IMO. Convenience and the smell and sound of burning wood. We don't burn a lot so I have it inspected every few years. Most recent inspection was in 2023. The interior was good but the chimney needed a new cap.

 

[Golden sunsets]

We installed a Mendotta gas insert into a wood burning fireplace in 2017. Loved it from installation until we moved in 2022. It was not inexpensive (around $10,000 back in 2017) from installation of the Gas line, Electric, Flu, and the stove itself. But it transformed an infrequently used wood fireplace (2 to 3 times a year max) to a daily used fireplace during the cold season.

 

[Jerry1]

Someone in your other post mentioned having gas logs. Gas logs are different from an insert in that they use the airflow from the house. They are not a sealed unit. They bring a gas line into the existing firebox and set up a set of fake logs and you burn gas much the same as if you used wood. Obviously, without any of the work or ashes associated with burning wood. If you go the route of changing over your fireplace to gas, you should get a better understanding of the difference between a gas insert and gas logs. They're not the same thing. We went with an insert because we wanted the unit to be more energy efficient and produce more usable heat which a sealed unit will give you. If you just want the look, gas logs may be a good alternative.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I got it (gas logs - not insert) done on my California rental a while ago. I think I was told that there were some issues with my wood burning fireplace and that's when I got my property manager to put in a gas fireplace. It was cheaper for me to convert than to fix the chimney issue. He got someone to install the whole thing, including bringing gas to the fireplace. I don't remember the cost but it didn't break the bank.

 

[Markola]

DW is right. We had an old coal burning fireplace that needed a liner. Instead, we got a gas insert, which came with a flu liner. Saved many thousands.

 

[Slim11]

I think the quote you had was for a insert with a lined flue. The fireplace inserts for logs can be 4k alone. They have fans to distribute heat to the home. Then depending 2 k for the liner. A fireplace insert to burn wood cuts off the flow of air when not in use and will add heat to your home. If this is for a secondary heating system or supplementary, it's a good idea to have it. With that said, gas inserts, can be ventless or vented. Ventless isn't a good idea. Vented still may have to be lined. And a good vented system will cost you. The reason is that a seprate Firebox cuts off the air flow when not in use and contains it when it's being used. So , as an example, older fireplaces created an updraft that when used basicly sucks heat out of the home and up the chimney. An enclosed fire box heats up , and puts heat back into the home. Hope that helps a bit. I am not an expert but had one done in my home. Plus I was a fire chief for 28 years. So I know venting and curents, probably didn't explain it well. But I hope you get the idea.

 

[Slim11]

Oh , and 8 years ago I paid almost 4 k whole sale cost and had my freind install it for free. So 8 k may not be unreasonable now.

 

[1242Vintage]

As part of a major remodel, we installed a gas fireplace insert. The original wood fireplace was already plumbed for gas and has power within a few feet.

What we like is that the fireplace keeps our family room and kitchen area toasty warm in the winter so don’t need to use the furnace as much.

And another good thing, when we lose power in the winter our whole house Emergency generator is not big enough to power the HVAC system. BUT the fireplace insert is on a circuit that is powered and keeps the family room and kitchen area comfortably warm.

The bad … we don’t use the furnace as much in the winter so our bedroom on the far side of the house gets chilly on a cool California winter night!

Cost was around $5k so not that spendy.

 

[Jerry1]

The bad … we don’t use the furnace as much in the winter so our bedroom on the far side of the house gets chilly on a cool California winter night!

Try it on a winter day in Michigan. When we use the fireplace in the winter, I have an electric oil heater in the bedroom on a timer. It starts the heater an hour or so before our normal bed time so that our room isn't an icebox.

 

[old medic]

Bottom line is that I'm being told I need a flue liner installed in my existing chimney. Cost estimate was $7,950. DW says to forget it and get a gas fireplace insert installed.

I love that unlined chimneys have been burning wood for hundreds of years, Ours is only a young 50 years old and we where told the same...

 

[donheff]

We converted our wood burning fireplace to gas about thirty years ago. It worked fine and looks good. I can't remember the cost, but it didn't strike me as excessive, even with the added cost of running a gas line up from the basement. Over the years, we used it less and less and, after gaps of a year or two, I would have to futz around with the controller, having forgotten how to change the batteries or how the darn thing works. Last year I couldn't get it to work so now I can forget about it (likely) or fine someone to fix it.

 

[jfn111]

We had a gas insert installed in our old wood burning fireplace about 20 years ago. It is one of the best investments we've made.
We turn it on almost every day in the winter and it quickly heats up the great room to a wife comfortable 75 degrees.
We have since added a corner gas fireplace unit to the basement, where my office and sports tv is, and it keeps the basement toasty warm.

 

[tulak]

I replied in the other thread, but I had a Town and Country (TC36) installed and it was around 8-9k, I don’t remember exactly, but it’d be more today. And that was just for the fireplace. The mantel/surround was extra (we did that separately).

I went with the T&C because I wanted an all glass face and less efficiency. I didn’t want a mini-furnace in my living room.

Our was a conversion from a wood burning firebox, so different than going from a fireplace. I would expect prices to start around $4-5k and then go up from there. This probably depends on where you live too. Everything costs more in my area.

I’d recommend going to a gas fireplace store and look at the options to see what you like.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I love that unlined chimneys have been burning wood for hundreds of years, Ours is only a young 50 years old and we where told the same...

And creosote has been causing chimney fires for centuries. Sometimes things seem more complicated because we know more and try to do better.

Anyway, to answer Qs Laptop, we had our gas insert installed about 15 years ago, so I don't remember the cost, but I do remember they had to run a gas line because there is no gas appliance on this side of the house. What we love about it is the remote control. We sometimes like to say "I MAKE FIRE!" when we push the button.

 

[DrRoy]

If you have gotten a gas fireplace insert installed in an existing wood fireplace box, please tell me about it.]

How much did it cost?
What about running the gas line to the fireplace?
What do you like about it?
What don't you like about it?

We had a brick, wood fireplace redone to stone and gas. The whole project was about $8000. Ran the gas line partly through a wall and partly outside. We like being able to have a fire at the push of a button, no work to prepare kindling or wood, and no cleanup. I miss the smell.

 

[6miths]

We have done a few conversions. Just about to change a gas direct vent to wood at cottage. Did a wood burning in a masonary full chimney to gas at my mom's 15 years ago. It was pretty straight forward and not very expensive. Vented through existing chimney with a new liner. Also replaced a wood stove with chimney in our basement with a direct vent gas 'wood' stove. Again, was not that expensive and direct vent allowed savings on liner. Gas lines for both were pretty straight forward though the one at home was longer so more expensive. Gas is convenient but nothing beats a real wood fire.

 

[Piper20]

We had a Regency L234 installed in 2015 for $3817 into a prefab Temco fireplace for backup incase of a power failure. 12,500 - 23,500 BTU with VS blower. Insert can be used without the blower. Smallest BTU we could find but way too hot for the room. Separate SS flue for intake and exhaust. The thing did eat batteries both remote control and receiver. We put the house up for sale and I wanted the chimney flashing replaced because of rust by the same people who installed the insert. The gas line, propane, was already there from gas logs.

They no longer sell inserts for prefab because the prefab was not certified for the weight of the insert.
There was also a draft down the chimney if the pilot was not lit.

 

[mistermike40]

This thread just popped up for me, apologies that my reply is a month late. We had our wood-burning fireplace converted to gas back in early 2021... total cost (labor, log, etc) was $1660. Now, we already had a gas line that ran to the fireplace (which was shut off for almost 30 years), so we didn't have to pay for that. We love it and use it much more than when it was wood-burning... wish we had converted it a lot sooner.

 

[D.Thomas]

I've got another thread going here: How do You Know if it's Safe to Have a Fire in Your Fireplace?

Bottom line is that I'm being told I need a flue liner installed in my existing chimney. Cost estimate was $7,950. DW says to forget it and get a gas fireplace insert installed.

If you have gotten a gas fireplace insert installed in an existing wood fireplace box, please tell me about it.]

How much did it cost?
What about running the gas line to the fireplace?
What do you like about it?
What don't you like about it?

etc.

We installed the **430 Ember-Glo GSR2** about a year and a half ago in our existing fireplace. The installation included adding a gas line and ensuring that there is electrical access nearby to power some of the ember features, like the glowing embers at the bottom, as well as the fan, which circulates the hot air out from the fireplace. This unit effortlessly heats our kitchen, dining room, and family room, which we keep at a cozy temperature of 72 degrees.

One of the efficiencies of this insert is its use of the existing flue, which prevents warm air from being drawn up the chimney. The installation process involved running two pipes up the chimney: one for drawing in outside air and another for venting exhaust. This particular model came with a remote that monitors the temperature and turns the fireplace off when reached, and back on again when it drops. It can also regulate the flames, lowering them as it reaches the desired temp, and pushing them back higher if it drops.

We paid around $7k, including the installation of the gas and electrical.

 

[Out of Steam]

We paid around $7k, including the installation of the gas and electrical.

That's about the estimate I got when I looked at it in 2021. Decided to postpone until we knew whether we would stay in our house long-term.