It’s not just because they look nice
A fireplace insert is a premade appliance designed to fit inside your existing masonry or wood fireplace hearth, creating an efficient closed heating system.
Fireplace insert costs vary by fuel type, with gas inserts ranging from $1,400 to $3,000, wood or pellet inserts from $1,500 to $5,000, and electric options starting at just a few hundred dollars.
Your traditional fireplace loses over 90% of its heat up the chimney, while an EPA-certified insert keeps warmth in your home and reduces indoor air pollutants.
Hiring a local fireplace professional takes the guesswork out of selecting the right insert type and fuel source for your home's heating needs and existing fireplace setup.
Getting cozy by the fire is all about warming up—both your hands and your heart. But did you know that traditional fireplaces can actually drain more heat from your home than they generate? Enter the fireplace insert: a closed system that increases the fire’s efficiency, allowing you to enjoy both its ambiance and its heat. It’s a win-win situation—and we’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about them.
A fireplace insert is an appliance that’s designed to fit into an existing masonry or wood fireplace hearth. The fire inside can run on a wide variety of fuels (more on that in just a second). Fireplace inserts are often made of steel or cast iron, and the firebox is encased behind a glass pane or glass doors. This creates an efficient heating system, reducing the amount of heat that is drawn into the fire itself (and therefore out of your living area). The exhaust still flows out through the chimney, so you do need a working fireplace to install a fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a fireplace while avoiding some common drawbacks.
If you already have a working fireplace, you might wonder why you’d want to upgrade to a fireplace insert. After all, your fireplace might not be perfectly efficient, but it works well enough, right?
Well, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 90% of the heat a traditional fireplace generates is actually pulled directly up the chimney and vented out into the world, leaving you chilly despite the pleasant fireside atmosphere. Additionally, inserts certified by the EPA or Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) can substantially reduce the pollutants that the fireplace releases into the air—not to mention into your home, where you and your family breathe them.
Along with increasing the amount of heat that stays in your home and being better for the health of both your family and the planet, fireplace inserts can also help you cut down on the mess that comes with a traditional fireplace. With a fireplace insert, all the ash and shoot stays safely behind the glass. A gentle stream of air keeps the ash from building up there, allowing you the best view into your crackling fire.
Just like there are different types of fireplaces, there are also different types of fireplace inserts. Here are some of the pros and cons—and price estimates—for each.
Fireplace inserts that run on gas are very popular, in part because they make starting a fire as simple as pushing a button. Gas is one of the most efficient fuels to burn, and it makes adjusting the heat very simple. However, you need a gas line to your home in order to make this one work, and if you don’t already have one, installing one can be expensive. Gas fireplace inserts often have efficiency ratings upward of 80%, and they cost between $1,400 and $3,000 or more. However, once they’re up and running, they don’t tend to add a lot to your gas bill because they’re very efficient at heating your home.
Working with gas can be very dangerous and even harmful to your health. Only attempt gas projects yourself if you have the experience and credentials to do so safely. Otherwise, let the professionals handle these jobs.
Wood isn’t as efficient a fuel as gas, and even for a wood-burning fireplace insert, efficiency ratings are closer to 50%. However, there’s just something about a wood-burning fireplace that’s hard to emulate in any other way, and the insert does make it significantly more efficient than a traditional, open wood-burning fire.
Obviously, if your fireplace insert runs on wood or wood pellets, you will need to replace the fuel as it burns. This can create an additional expense and hassle since wood is heavy to transport and has specific storage requirements. Wood fireplace inserts are also not the most budget-friendly, starting around $1,500 and ranging up to $5,000 or more.
While they’re not as popular as other types of fireplace inserts, there are some inserts out there that run on coal. Coal can be a very efficient heat source, but again, having to store and replace coal can be a significant effort. The inserts themselves cost around $3,000.
Electric fireplace inserts work a little differently than the other types. Rather than creating heat with actual combustion, they contain a small electric heater and create a simulated flame using LED lighting. However, electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts can be useful in homes that don’t have a chimney—or in fireplaces where the chimney has been blocked off. Additionally, it’s possible to find electric fireplace inserts for just a few hundred dollars. To learn more about the fireplace insert options that would work well in your hearth, call a fireplace pro near you. They can also tell you more about fireplace maintenance that will make your traditional wood-burning fire as efficient and warm as possible so that you can enjoy the glow.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsSupreme Brick & Chimney did a great job with a cleaning and inspection of the fireplace! He was efficient, on time, and very pleasant. The space was kept very clean, and the fireplace was spotless when he was done. He also performed a thorough inspection, and did a great job talking us...
Supreme brick & chimneyAce Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace ServicesCustom Paint Jobs LLCs custom murals brought life to our childrens rooms. They love it!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCStorms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThe team is awesome!! I can generally pick up and clean throughout the week, but they CLEAN! Windows, stair rails, microwave. All the things I can’t ever seem to get to regularly. The house looks and smells great after they leave.
Blackburns did a great job and for about half of the estimated price!!! I have a big old house with a tall brick chimney. This chimney used to vent the fireplace which is no longer operational. I suspected that it also vented the hot water heater. Combustion of natural gas results in...
Blackburns Chimney SweepsBought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer LandscapingWe decided to update our partially finished basement, with a budget. Gerald worked with me on the lighting and chair rail selections, and produced an end product that was everything we wanted and within our budget. The work was done quickly, and he and his crew were always prompt and...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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