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Although no heating appliance can be entirely risk-free, a fireplace insert is considered a safer alternative to a traditional open fireplace, thanks to their enclosed design. With a sealed combustion chamber, a fireplace insert effectively reduces the risk of sparks and embers escaping into the room, minimizing the chance of an accidental fire.

Additionally, an insert comes equipped with various safety features, such as tempered glass doors that create a barrier between the flames and the surrounding space. This enhances both safety and energy efficiency by preventing heat loss. As an added bonus, many inserts are designed to meet strict safety standards that ensure proper ventilation and combustion.

Some people prefer the traditional look of a classic fireplace over modern fireplace inserts, potentially making their aesthetic a disadvantage, though this isn’t true for everyone. Additionally, if you’re moving into a house with an insert and don’t have the specific fuel requirements, the insert will be pretty much useless. Though fireplace inserts are less maintenance than standard fireplaces, they still require consistent cleaning.

Yes, if your gas fireplace has a flue, you typically need to open it when using the fireplace. Although gas fireplaces don’t produce the type of smoke and soot that wood-burning ones do, they still release combustion gasses like carbon monoxide. Opening the flue ensures these gasses safely exit your home through the chimney. Not all gas fireplaces need a chimney, however. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific gas fireplace model, as some newer models may have different ventilation requirements.

Chimney cleaning is an important task you must perform at least once a year to remove dangerous soot and creosote buildup, which can cause fires and increase the amount of dangerous carbon monoxide entering the home. If you use your chimney frequently, you may need to clean it more often. Call a chimney sweep if you notice smoke entering your home when you use your fireplace, difficulty keeping your fire going, a campfire smell, or if the fire damper is black.