Converting a Wood Burning Fireplace into a Gas Fireplace? Read this First

Wood-burning fireplaces can easily be converted to gas. Consider these options.

Everyone loves the coziness and warmth of a crackling wood-burning fire in the fireplace. As wonderful as wood is, there may come a day when you’d like to convert to gas. It means no more stacking and hauling wood. No more ash to clean up. No more strategy required to start a fire – a remote control or wall switch magically ignite the flames. Gas is convenient. So much so that many people find they “make” more fires and enjoy their fireplace more often after converting to gas.

If you are contemplating converting, consider your options. If you have a standard masonry-built wood-burning fireplace, you have three options:

Have a direct vent gas insert installed
Have unvented gas logs (a.k.a. room-vented or vent free) installed
Have vented gas logs installed

Of the three, a direct vent gas insert most closely replicates the experience of wood-burning. It also provides the most heat, is the safest, and is by far the most energy efficient.

To help you consider your options, the chart below clearly lays out the facts.

Converting a Wood-burning Fireplace to Gas?

	Direct Vent Gas Inserts	Room Vented, Un-vented, Vent Free Gas Logs	Vented Gas Logs
Legal in all 50 states	Yes	No	Yes
Meets current Green Building codes and standards	Yes	No	No
Vents all gas by-products to the outside of the home, including carbon monoxide, nitrous dioxide, sulfur/soot, dioxide, and water vapor	Yes	No	Yes1
Increases heat output	Yes	Yes	No
Stops cold drafts	Yes	Yes	No
Uses only outside air for combustion	Yes	No	No
Approved in all zero clearance wood burning fireplaces	Yes	No	Yes
Adds excess moisture to your home	No	Yes	No
May need to open a window when in use	No	Yes	Yes
Has restrictions on recommended length of continuous use	No	Yes	No
Run by a thermostat	Yes	Yes	Yes3
Good option for people that are pregnant, suffer from severe allergies, respiratory problems, or asthma	Yes	No	Yes1
Endorsed by the American Lung Association	Yes	No	No
Can be installed in any room of the house	Yes	Yes2	No
Has an option to add a blower	Yes	Yes	Yes3

1 Depends how well the fireplace is venting 2 Bedrooms less than 10,000 BTUs, Bathrooms less than 6,000 BTUs 3 But not all units

After converting to a direct vent gas insert, expect your love affair with your fireplace to be rekindled. There are many styles and options to choose from – see for yourself here!