Get matched with top fireplace pros in Albion, ME

An outdoor wood furnace might be worth it, depending on your situation. For example, if you can easily (and affordably) acquire wood to burn, then an outside furnace could make sense. Investing in an outdoor furnace might also be worth it if you live in a rural area without a reliable energy source.

In some cases, you can use a fireplace once the insert has been removed. However, before burning a fire, you must have a professional inspect it and the chimney to make sure they're functioning properly and no damage has occurred from removing the insert. That’s because using a fireplace without an insert could create fire hazards due to issues with airflow and heat dispersion, depending on the fireplace design and material. A professional can advise on whether you should make certain repairs or modifications before using your fireplace as an open hearth.

You can close up a chimney instead of demolishing it. Homeowners often go this route because the cost of removing a chimney, especially a structurally important chimney, can be expensive.

Properly closing up a chimney involves closing and sealing the damper, installing a chimney cap damper, and sealing the fireplace opening with a door or bricks. The cost to seal and cap a chimney is around $500 to $650—significantly less than the average chimney removal cost.

Fireplace repair costs around $600 on average, but simple repairs can total as low as $100, while more complex repairs could reach up to $2,500 or more. The specific repair will be the most significant factor. Here are some common fireplace repairs below, along with the average pricing of each:

• Firebox repair: $160–$2,500

• Gas valve repair: $150–$300

• Hearth repair: $150–$800

• Igniter repair: $100–$150

• Mantel repair: $500–$1,200

• Pilot light repair: $100–$350

• Refractory panel repair: $200–$300

• Thermocouple repair: $75–$350

• Thermopile repair: $75–$350