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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