Make sure you pop the designated batteries into this compartment. Open Fireplace Vs Insert Update the fireplace of yours and put in fireplace inserts to optimize the heat as well as comfort you are able to buy as well as make it the ideal spot in your living room. For instance, somebody who is building a brand-new home might have completely different options than somebody who is in a 100-year-old home with an existing wood-burning fireplace. Another option is a portable outdoor fireplace, which is an enclosed, moveable fire container, like a fire pit/wood stove hybrid. This device, sometimes referred to as a safety pilot, automatically shuts off the gas if the fireplace gets too cold or too much carbon monoxide builds up. Wood burning fireplaces are best used to burn seasoned (aged) hardwood, which burns longer, hotter, and causes less tar buildup in the flue than softwood. I'm the creator ofthis websiteand Organizing TVon YouTube. Huddled around the open fire while it's snowing outside can help relax almost anyone. 2. Another safety precaution for gas fireplaces is to install an oxygen-depletion sensor. Price at time of publish: $1,800 Venting Type: Direct Vent | Fuel Type: Natural Gas | Front Product Width: 37 inches | Material: Metal | Heat Output: 20,000 BTU/hour Best Natural Vented These use air from outside the house for combustion and vent to the outside through the existing fireplaces chimney. Securely cap the gas line and plug when burning wood. Your fireplace will always be there to console you whenever you think distraught and whenever you are in pain. Heating Time With the relaxing environment and the cost-cutting that can come from owning a fireplace insert, it is no wonder they are becoming popular. For assistance selecting a particular model of electric fireplace, consultour buying guidewhich compares and contrasts many popular models. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 734 Ridgeway Avenue This fresh air is drawn in from every small crack or opening in your house, causing distant rooms to feel cold and drafty. In that case, a fireplace insert or a wood stove are excellent options to choose from. In fact, most people who get a gas fireplace for the first time are pleasantly surprised they can save an average of 20% on their heating bills. The fireplace inserts you buy today are regulated by the Environment Protection Agency, or EPA. There is some controversy over the safety of the emissions from vent-free gas inserts. Unlike fireplace inserts, wood stoves are ideal for heating large living spaces or an entire home. Electric fireplaces are very affordable compared to other options, with most units priced at under $1,000 and many choices under $300. The pellets are generally inexpensive if purchased in bulk. link to What is The Correct Way To Handle Dirty Mop Water? In fact, most homeowners seek out more efficient alternatives to conventional heating methods. There are high-end fireplaces and inserts that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, or there are options to get you converted to a gas unit for as low as $1500. You dont have to sacrifice aesthetics when you install an insert. Ultimately the decision of which one to get it up to you and what you think is acceptable from a fireplace and what you are not willing to let slide, so to speak. Consider purchasing two stoves to heat a larger home or ranch style home. If there is an existing masonry chimney and fireplace available, most homeowners decide to go with the insert option. Alternatively, you can get a ventless or vent-free gas insert. There are 4 different ways homeowners vent gas burning fireplaces today and below we'll take a close look at them all. Many people who have had a wood-burning fireplace for years come to Miller Brick because they seek a gas option with less mess and higher heating efficiency. This is done by venting. Blowers help circulate the heat to nearby rooms, but ceiling height, floor plans and insulation will all be a factor in how much heat you feel in attached rooms. Others genuinely enjoy splitting wood or have an abundance of free firewood at their disposal. Wood: While wood inserts are not as efficient as gas, they are light years ahead of open hearth fireplaces where more than 90% of heat produced is lost up the chimney. Although indoor fireplaces are most common, there is no reason to restrict your wood-burning activity inside your house. Some EPA-certified fireplaces have close to zero emissions. Napoleon Oakdale Wood Fireplace Insert Whereas, with fireplace inserts, a blower is needed in order to distribute heat to other areas of the home. At Aqua Recs, we can help. However, like regular fireplaces, they are best suited for heating individual living spaces. Fireplace Location Both fireplace inserts and wood stoves must be installed by a professional hearth installer or chimney sweep. Excessive creosote deposits can catch fire, and that fire can spread to your house, so wood-burning fireplaces should be professionally cleaned every year. However, with so many options to choose from, you are sure to find a fireplace option that is perfect for your home. We installed the insert as part of the repairs so I've never lived in a place with an open fire. It not . However, they should be carefully supervised. Like ethanol-burning fireplaces, Alcohol gel fireplaces are very easy and inexpensive to install as they do not require venting, an electrical line, or any other hook-up. Inserts are for masonry fireplaces. The cost of installing an outdoor system may range from thousands of dollars for a masonry fireplace to less than a hundred dollars for a simple fire-pit, or free if you build one yourself. This is especially effective if you have your fireplace insert in the room you use most in your home, as fireplace inserts will struggle to heat more than one room. This is due to the fact that the fireplace will become much more efficient (75% vs 0%) and the space can be used for the insert rather than taking up additional space in the home that a freestanding stove would require. They are also extremely efficient, but because of their output limitations, they are not suitable for primary home heating needs. Since gas inserts produce radiant heat and a steady stream of warm air, they are a great option to heat the home. This also makes for easy installation, and a much easier and cheaper option to update your fireplace instead of rebuilding the whole structure. An open fronted gas log fire currently on the market puts out 2.3Kw while the same heater fitted with a glass front achieves 6.97Kw, for the same input. Gas Fireplace vs. Gas Insert: Whats the Difference? Inserts are typically a lower cost option compared to a zero-clearance renovation, or . Your fireplace needs to be properly vented. 4631 S. Mason Street, B5 Some fireplaces are appropriate to warm up a single room, for cozy special occasions, while others are efficient enough to heat a small house, and others are purely decorative, producing little to no heat. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. There are several primary reasons to consider installing a fireplace insert in your home. Fireplaces are traditionally built using brick, meaning theyre fire-safe, and as long as the actual fireplace and flue are properly constructed, everything should vent adequately, creating no extra hazard to your home. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Inserts: Fireplace inserts may be used during Stage One burn bans; however, they cannot be used during Stage Two burn bans. A fireplace can be an existing masonry space where wood is burnt and vented outside via a chimney. A fireplace insert is a unit installed into a pre-existing wood or stone fireplace. However, both of the fireplaces are excellent options for your home, and you will not be disappointed no matter which fireplace you decide to go for. Inserts require very little if any construction because you are utilizing the existing fireplace and opening for the insert. A fireplace insert is basically a stove, wood or gas, that is designed to be inserted into a fireplace that is already there. Open Fireplace Vs Insert Open fireplaces: During Stage One burn bans It is unlawful to operate open fireplaces. B-vent fireplaces resemble wood-burning fireplaces, both in terms of appearance and operation. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether a fireplace insert or a wood-burning stove is best for your home. Fireplace inserts create ash as they still burn wood, but they are more difficult to clean than a wood stove. Like open hearth fireplaces, it is typically cost-prohibitive and impractical to add zero clearance fireplaces, so they are typically limited to new construction. Privacy Policy Advertising Policy About Me. Fireplace Screen vs. Glass Doors: What Are The Major Differences. While the gas fireplace is built similarly to the gas insert (both possess the dual box technology), the gas fireplace does not require an existing fireplace or chimney. The construction of these appliances makes all the difference: a very sturdy box surrounded by heavy steel or cast iron with insulated glass doors on the front. One of the biggest drawbacks to a traditional fireplace is the amount of upkeep and cleaning it requires. Wood-burning inserts and fires. They are made from a solid metal closed firebox. Their operation costs depend on the type of fuel used. In fact, most traditional open fireplaces lose over 90 percent of the fire's heat out the chimney, and much of the heated air in the room goes with it. Fireplace inserts are great for people who have an open masonry wood burning fireplace and want to upgrade to a gas or continue to burn wood with much greater heating efficiency. By contrast, wood inserts burn between 60-80% efficiently. My wife has an asthma-like condition and is bothered by even the smallest amount of smoke so an open fire was never in the cards anyway. Depending on the option you choose to install in your home, they have some unique benefits, but they are always a welcomed treat. They produce a blue flame, unlike the direct vent option which produces a yellow flame that more closely resembles a natural fire. Let us find out! They are much smaller than a fireplace, this includes their glass fronts and viewing ports, because they are designed to fit into an existing opening. They should be serviced yearly. We've gathered some of the best expert opinions to help you make the most informed buying decisions. A fireplace insert is a self-contained unit installed into an existing fireplace that already has existing exterior venting built into the home. Because of their fuel, these fireplaces should not be left unattended, particularly around pets that might knock them over, creating a fire hazard. Moreover, because they release substantially less smoke, due to their efficiency, and because they are fully enclosed, they emit substantially less air pollution into your home. Built-in fires or inserts are designed for integration into a partition or fireplace. Although this benefit would be present in a traditional fireplace, too, with an insert, youll waste less heat and get the maximum impact from your heating system. A standard fireplace only transfers about 15 percent of the heat into the room. Although early models of electric fireplaces were less aesthetically pleasing, modern versions are much more attractive, and some are designed to realistically resemble a wood-burning fireplace. Because they do not draw air from inside the house, they are ultra-efficient and safe, preserving your indoor air quality. This look may be appealing to some people, but it can also turn some people away if you wish to sell your home in the future. A wood burning fireplace insert converts a drafty wood burning fireplace into an efficient heating unit and also extends burn times. Our Spa, Pool, & Fireplace Products in Washington. If you are interested in a pellet stove, you read ourguide to choosing the best pellet stovefor your needs. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. With housing prices at all-time highs and mortgage rates climbing, buying a home often feels less achievable than ever before. Alcohol gel fireplaces give off no smoke at all. Operating costs of a gas fireplace include the gas, maintaining carbon monoxide detectors, and the cost of routine inspection and cleaning. Wood burning stoves are safer than open fireplaces. An electric fireplace plugs into the wall not unlike a large, decorative space heater which allows for greater flexibility than most of the other fireplace options as it can be moved from room to room at any time. This also makes for easy installation, and a much easier and cheaper option to update your fireplace instead of rebuilding the whole structure. Why fireplace inserts work so well As the name implies, a fireplace insert is a self-contained unit placed into an existing firebox. There are a wide variety of options for outdoor wood burning. An indoor open wood-burning fireplace, or open hearth fireplace, is the classic image of a fireplace throughout history. I don't have any sort of fireplace at all. Rochester, New York 14615 We have used natural gas logs in our old house and hated the smell and the cost of using the gas logs. We would love to have a real wood burning f/p. A fire pit can be either a literal pit or platform on the ground on which to build an open fire or a free-standing metal-bowl-like container for the fire that is elevated off the ground. They are ideal for reducing your heating bills using zone-heating. today to learn more about your options and let us help you decide which type of fireplace is best for you. We strive for the highest quality customer service. Its wise to have your fireplace and flue checked every few years to ensure there are no cracks or damage that can cause a fire, while regular maintenance is required every time you burn wood, including removing ashes and other debris from the space. For example, a gas fireplace can be vented using a flexible venting system and a smaller port on the outside of the house. They are much more efficient than open-hearth fireplaces and are regulated andlabeled for efficiency by the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.fireside.com/consumer/products/fireplaces/gasFireplaceDetail.asp?f=27100&b=HNG, http://www.heatnglo.com/en/Products/Escape-Gas-Fireplace.aspx, Options to replace wood prefab unit with gas fireplace or insert, Is Heat Comparable? CONS: Direct fireplaces have a sealed glass front and typically a smaller flame than a b-vent fireplace or a vent-free fireplace. Fireplaces may be built into a large stone mantle or may be small enough to display on a coffee table. One limitation to the unit is the need for an existing chimney. Wood stoves have a 70 % efficiency rate, whereas fireplaces have between 20% and 25% efficiency. By doing this, you make your traditional fireplace 75% more efficient, you can use the existing chimney for venting, and you dont take up any additional space with a free-standing wood stove. For most people, the emissions do not cause any harm, but they can be a problem for those with pre-existing lung conditions. Although the installation of a new fireplace is very expensive, the cost of operating one is low, particularly if you have a free or inexpensive source of firewood. So first, lets take a look at some features of each of these units. Some unitsinclude blowers, which send warmair out into the room. Installing a fireplace insert is ideal when you have an existing fireplace of some sort. This cleaning process can also be time-consuming, and it can only be done when the fireplace has cooled down, which means you cannot just get the job over with when you are done with the fireplace for the night. They are much smaller than a fireplace, this includes their glass fronts and viewing ports, because they are designed to fit into an existing opening. Consider adding open floor vents if placing a stove on a lower level so heat will migrate to the upper floor. A wood burning insert can (depending on size) can typically burn for 5-10+ hours. $200 Rebate On Select Kozy Heat Inserts! it radiates into your room. Gel fireplaces do not produce substantial heat. Shop Gas fireplaces here: https://blazingembers.comCAMERA USED IN THIS VIDEO: https://amzn.to/3e9tk2J (Paid Link)GIMBLE USED IN THIS VIDEO: https://amzn.to/3. Fireplace inserts are self-contained units that are installed into an existing fireplace. Typical fireplaces aren't nearly as efficient as inserts. Installing a new fireplace in your home is ideal when the house is being built, if you already have a fireplace and are replacing it or are doing a renovation. The cost of installing a gas fireplace varies substantially, based on the fireplace style, vent type, and whether you need to install a new gas line or can connect to an existing source of natural gas or propane. The upside to a fireplace is that you do not sacrifice viewing area and the styles are endless. Since, by design, a fireplace is open to allow proper airflow, it is inherently more dangerous. As part of the process when you begin thinking about getting a fireplace for your home is to decide what you need. Although they are the same in purposeto heat your homethere are a few differences between fireplaces and fireplace inserts. 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