Fireplace Insert Efficiency
- Highly Efficient Unlike older open fireplaces, fireplace inserts are well optimized and far more efficient. ...
- Significant Reduction of Wood-Burning Emissions An open-hearth fireplace leaves a much bigger environmental footprint when combusting fuel than a fireplace insert. ...
- Saving Money on Energy ...
- No Need for Major Remodeling Work ...
- Aesthetically Appealing ...
Which gas fires are the most efficient?
Which Gas Fires Are The Most Efficient?
- Open Front Gas fires. Open front gas fires look fantastic with their traditional open fire period aesthetic. ...
- Outset Living Flame Gas Fires. Outset fires are those that sit on the hearth rather than being set into the chimney. ...
- Outset Radiant Gas Fires. ...
- Glass Fronted High Efficiency Gas Fires. ...
- Balanced Flue High Efficiency Gas Fires. ...
- Flueless Gas Fires. ...
How much does it cost to insert a fireplace?
How much does a fireplace insert cost? Most fireplace inserts and a professional installation cost about $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the state of your existing chimney and the model you select. Some electric models cost significantly less, but they offer less heat output than wood and gas fireplace inserts.
Do fireplace inserts really work?
The secondary advantage of using a fireplace insert is that you get to use the existing structure of your home to heat the home. For houses that have a central fireplace, an insert is an effective heating option because the chimney will naturally radiate heat throughout the home.
How to get more heat from a gas fireplace?
There are additional tools and strategies to get the maximum heat out of your gas fireplace such as:
- Setting thermostat to the maximum value
- Ensuring flue damper and fireplace are well sealed to prevent warm air from escaping
- Using a blower to spread warm air evenly throughout the room
- Converting gas fireplace to a gas insert to eliminate draft and increase efficiency
Are fireplace inserts as efficient as wood stoves?
EPA certified fireplace inserts are up to 90% more efficient and consume one-third less fuel to generate the same amount of heat. They are environmentally friendly, burn cleaner with less air pollution and creosote.
Is a fireplace insert better than a fireplace?
Inserts replace the inefficient wood-burning system of an open masonry fireplace and vent through an existing chimney. This is great for reducing outdoor air invasion and drafts inside the home and for reducing carbon footprint with a more energy-efficient heating option.
What type of fireplace insert is most efficient?
Electric fireplace inserts are 100% efficient because the heat is generated artificially with a space heater. Our own electric fireplace can warm up a room in our home very quickly, but the downside is that it's not producing any real flames to enjoy.
What is the advantage of a fireplace insert?
Fireplace inserts solve the issue of heat loss by containing everything in a sealed box. This stops drafts from coming in and from heat rising directly out the chimney. In addition a sealed box allows for a much more efficient burn – around 70-75%. This increased efficiency also creates longer burn times.
Will a fireplace insert heat my home?
Fireplace inserts are like heating stoves and fit directly inside an existing masonry fireplace. And EPA-certified units provide up to 70% to 80% heating efficiency. Make sure to add the blower motor option to your insert if you want to spread the heat around your house.
How much heat does a fireplace insert produce?
A fireplace insert with a low heat output typically produces around 30,000 BTUs per hour. A fireplace insert with a high heat output can produce as much as 85,000 BTUs per hour. The smaller the space you are trying to heat, the less BTUs your insert needs to produce and vice versa.
How long does a fireplace insert last?
Also, the units do wear out, though a 10-year lifespan is a reasonable expectation. According to one leading manufacturer, around 80 percent of stoves and wood-burning fireplace inserts are noncatalytic.
How much does it cost to put in a fireplace insert?
about $2,000 to $4,000How much does a fireplace insert cost? Most fireplace inserts and a professional installation cost about $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the state of your existing chimney and the model you select. Some electric models cost significantly less, but they offer less heat output than wood and gas fireplace inserts.
Do electric fireplace inserts give off heat?
Fireplace Safety Although electric fireplaces produce enough heat to warm a room 400 square feet and up, they remain cool to the touch. Without the issue of hot metal casings, electric fireplaces are a safe alternative to a traditional fireplace for kids and pets.
Will a fireplace insert save money?
Savings: Fireplace inserts can help you to cut down on your heating bill. A fireplace insert is not recommended as a sole use of heating but when used in conjunction with turning down your thermostat, can save you money on your heating bill.
Do fireplace inserts increase home value?
A typical gas fireplace insert costs $2,300 to $10,000 depending on the style and installation costs. The majority of real estate agents believe indoor or outdoor fireplaces add $1,000 to $5,000 to the resale value of your home.
How much does a fireplace insert save?
You can cut your heating costs by 9% to 39% with a quality fireplace insert.
What is more efficient wood stove or insert?
Wherever they're installed, both appliances are reliable for providing plenty of heat in winter. Depending on the size of stove, however, a freestanding stove has the potential to do a better job of heating than a fireplace insert.
What's the difference between a firebox and a fireplace insert?
The firebox of an open fireplace is the open area where the fire is built and maintained, either on a fireplace grate or on the floor. A fireplace insert is a type of fireplace that can be inserted into the firebox of an open fireplace.
What is the difference between a zero clearance fireplace and an insert?
But the difference between a zero clearance fireplace and an insert is the size and installation. Inserts are designed small enough to slide into an existing open space. But zero clearance fireplaces are explicitly framed into a wall and cannot be inserted because of their large firebox size.
Are inset stoves less efficient?
However, in reality, a key benefit of an inset wood-burning stove is that it is much more efficient than open fires, with efficiencies in excess of 80%, while still providing a stunning additional feature to your living space.
What are the benefits of inserts in a fireplace?
The benefits of a fireplace insert include: Provides the opportunity to convert and use an existing wood burning fireplace into either gas or electric.
How Much Do Fireplace Inserts Cost?
Wood burning inserts and gas fireplace inserts typically cost around $2,000 with costs ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Electric fireplace inserts can range from a few hundred dollars to $2,000+ but expect to pay around $1,000.
What Is A Fireplace Insert?
A fireplace insert is a form of fireplace that can be inserted into the opening of an existing masonry fireplace to improve the functionality, heat output and aesthetics of that fireplace. A fireplace insert can be removed in the same way it was installed.
Are Fireplace Inserts More Efficient?
Fireplace inserts are typically far more efficient than the open fireplace they are replacing. Traditional masonry wood burning fireplaces are typically very inefficient sources of heat and modern inserts need to be efficient in order to meet more stringent emissions regulations.
Can You Use A Fireplace Insert Without A Fireplace?
Fireplace inserts cannot be used without an approved masonry fireplace in which to use it in. An approved masonry fireplace can be installed within in a home at a high cost to accommodate a form of insert, but better choices for fireplaces are available when an existing open fireplace is not available.
Does A Fireplace Insert Need A Chimney Liner?
Wood burning fireplace inserts will typically require the installation and use of a chimney liner in order for the insert to work as effectively, safely and efficient as designed. The size of chimney liner will be determined by the requirements of the particular wood burning insert.
Do Fireplace Inserts Need Electricity?
Wood burning and gas inserts won’t typically require electricity in order to function but many models, particularly for wood burning inserts, will have blowers that will require an electrical supply. Electric inserts will always require a source of electricity.
Why are inserts more efficient than open fireplaces?
Inserts are much more efficient than a standard open fireplace because they reduce or eliminate the drafts throughout the house generally associated with an open fireplace.
What Is A Fireplace Insert?
Inserts are made from steel or cast iron and generally have clear glass doors on the front, allowing you to see the fire inside.
Why are fireplace inserts closed?
Inserts are closed and insulated so your fire will burn slowly and generate far more heat than the alternative. Because of this as well as other factors, fireplace inserts can reduce your carbon footprint. Some EPA-certified fireplaces have close to zero emissions. Wood is renewable and sustainable, with a carbon neutral profile.
How efficient is an old fireplace?
But....just how efficient is that old fireplace? Well, actually a standard fireplace is not very efficient at all. A standard fireplace only transfers about 15 percent of the heat into the room. The rest goes up the chimney. Also, the fireplace needs a constant supply of fresh air to fuel the fire.
Why run a liner through a chimney?
Most manufactures suggest running a new liner through the chimney to increase safety. The major concern with an insert, as with most wood burning devices, is creosote. Creosote is a deposit that forms on the inside of the chimney walls that can build up over time and create a chimney fire.
What is the purpose of an open combustion fireplace?
Traditional fireplaces utilize open combustion technology that allows much of the air from the surrounding room to be pulled into the fireplace, causing the fire to burn more quickly and waste a lot of energy.
Do fireplace inserts circulate heat?
Of course, the biggest perceived downside or limitation to installing a fireplace insert is that it doesn’t look quite the same as a traditional fireplace.
Why are gas fireplaces so efficient?
More modern gas fireplaces are often much more efficient compared to older models as a result of the use of intermittent pilot ignition systems rather than the conventional standing pilot ignitions.
How efficient is a natural gas fireplace?
Natural vent gas fireplaces in the form of inserts can typically be found to have efficiency ratings of around 50-60%, while gas logs sets may be lower than this. Direct vent gas fireplaces can typically average between 60-80% efficiency and ventless gas fireplaces can be around 99% efficient.
What is the efficiency rating of a direct vent fireplace?
Expect to find direct vent gas fireplaces with efficiency ratings of 70% on average but can be as high as 80% or low as 60% depending on the model.
What ignition does a gas fireplace use?
Our gas fireplace uses the older standing pilot ignition and we leave this pilot flame on throughout winter.
What is the purpose of a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces use gas as the source of fuel in order to produce heat for a home and ‘ efficiency ’ refers to the ability for a fireplace appliance such as gas to convert that fuel into usable heat.
Where to find efficiency rating on gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces are typically found with a rating plate found somewhere on the unit that details information about that specific fireplace.
What to do if you don't have a manual for a gas fireplace?
If you don’t have the manual then you can use the information displayed on the rating plate to find an electronic copy of the right manual for your gas fireplace.
What is a Fireplace Insert?
Simply put, a fireplace insert is a self-contained appliance designed to fit into an existing wood fireplace.
Types of Inserts
To begin, consider what kind of fuel you’d like to run your fireplace insert. “When installing an insert, choosing your fuel will be the most important decision,” Wendolek says.
How Much Do Fireplace Inserts Cost to Install and Run?
Depending on the features and capabilities selected by a homeowner, the cost of a electric fireplace inserts start at around $1,000. Most gas, wood and pellet fireplace inserts have starting prices at mid-$2,000 and go up from there.
Fireplace Insert Options
The adage, “it’s in the details” applies to today’s fireplace inserts. When selecting a gas fireplace insert, which are designed to emit a lot of heat, homeowners need to purchase one with variable flame height adjustment.
Fireplace Insert Installation
The process of replacing a traditional wood-burning fireplace with a fireplace insert is straight-forward and can typically be completed in as little as one day by a hearth expert .
Connect with a Pro
Fireplace inserts should be installed by a professional. Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Vermont Castings, and Harman, all of which are part of the Hearth & Home Technologies family of brands, offers a nationwide network of authorized hearth experts who are factory-trained and certified professionally.
Why do we need an insert in a fireplace?
One reason for a lack of efficiency with open hearths is that a lot of heated room air is pulled into the fire, a process which results in an energy-wasting, ...
Why do you need fireplace inserts?
Besides the fact that they are environmentally friendly, another top reason homeowners have fireplace inserts installed by our professional chimney technicians is to save money on the cost of remodeling. You can get a new look without having to do major remodeling work. 5.
What is EPA certified fireplace insert?
EPA-certified fireplace inserts can reduce wood-burning emissions to practically zero, meaning that your environmental footprint is much smaller than with an open hearth fireplace. 3. You can save money on your energy bill if you install a fireplace insert.
Why do fireplace inserts have a sealed door?
Fireplace inserts have a sealed, air tight door system which generates more heat because the fire burns much slower and the heat isn’t wasted. The efficiency of fireplace inserts can be as much as 80%. 2. EPA-certified fireplace inserts can reduce wood-burning emissions to practically zero, meaning that your environmental footprint is much smaller ...
What is the EPA certification for wood burning?
If you decide to burn wood, make sure the unit you purchase is EPA certified; to assure safety and satisfy your insurance company, any heating appliance, regardless of the fuel burned, should carry a certificate that states it has been tested to the appropriate Underwriters Laboratory (UL or ULC ) standard.
Why do people in the Upper Midwest have fireplace inserts?
One of the biggest changes which has become evident in modern times is an increase in environmental awareness, a movement which has led many homeowners in the Upper Midwest to have fireplace inserts installed. There are several benefits to using fireplace inserts, which is why we recommend these energy-saving appliances to customers ...
Why do you need a chimney liner?
It’s usually necessary that a chimney professional install an appropriately sized chimney liner to ensure that the chimney’s draft satisfies the insert’s specifications, and that the new appliance functions safely.
When were fireplace inserts invented?
Fireplace inserts of one form or another have been around since the late 19th century. The principle of capturing heat that would otherwise go up the chimney has long made them popular. For many years they have been little more than a steel box with a glass door, inserted in a masonry wall. Modern versions now offer a number of valuable performance advances which are detailed below.
How much air pollution does a fireplace insert release?
Most new wood-burning fireplace inserts comply with EPA certification that reduce the amount of particles released into the air to under 2 grams per hour (g/h). In high concentrations, airborne pollutants can cause respiratory problems. Fireplaces that comply can carry a label stating they are EPA certified.
How many BTUs does a firebox have?
For a budget model, specification is very competitive. Output of 69,000 BTUs provides ample warmth for an area of up to 1,800 square feet. A firebox of 1.8 cubic feet is typical of midrange inserts, as is a burn time of 6 hours. However, efficiency of 65.5 percent, while far better than an open fire, is somewhat low for a wood-burning insert. It does comply with EPA certification in terms of particulate emissions, though no figures are given.
How long does a wood burning fireplace last?
Manufacturer reputation also has a big impact because durability is of major importance. A wood-burning fireplace insert needs to last a minimum of 10 years, and it will experience considerable heat stress. The firebox needs to be extremely robust, so a substantial steel or cast-iron structure is necessary.
What percentage of fireplaces are non-catalytic?
According to one leading manufacturer, around 80 percent of stoves and wood-burning fireplace inserts are non-catalytic. Though efficiency is lower, it still tops 70 percent on average, helped by a combination of preheated air, improved gas flow, and firebox insulation.
How many square feet does a 65,000 BTU firebox heater warm?
It is also suitable for installation in most existing open fireplaces. Its 65,000-BTU output will warm spaces up to 1,800 square feet, with efficiency rated at 78 percent. Add a firebox capacity of 1.9 cubic feet, and it can be loaded up and left for hours at a time.
What is a catalytic insert?
A catalyst, also known as a catalytic combustor or catalytic insert, is not unlike the device found in most vehicle exhausts. Hot gases pass through a chemical honeycomb and the reaction reduces the heat necessary for full combustion. On average the fuel burns close to 80 percent more efficiently. However, inserts with catalytic combustors tend to be more expensive. Also, the units do wear out, though a 10-year life is a reasonable expectation.
How much heat does a gas fireplace insert produce?
Heat output varies by model and fuel type, but most gas fireplace inserts produce between 20,000 and 40,000 BTU (some have much higher or lower outputs).
What is the difference between a gas fireplace insert and a direct vent fireplace insert?
Gas fireplace inserts have varying percentages of heating efficiency , largely dependent on the unit’s venting type. Natural-vented fireplace inserts have the lowest heating efficiency since heat is lost through the open damper or flue. Direct vent fireplace inserts have better heating efficiency because they draw in outside air and use smaller ductwork for exhaust. Ventless gas fireplace inserts have the best heating efficiency since they have no ductwork. Most units operate with 99 percent efficiency and produce a minimal amount of carbon monoxide. However, it is important to monitor oxygen levels in a room with a ventless gas fireplace. In most cases, these types of inserts come equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor.
How many BTU is the Empire Tahoe fireplace?
The Empire Tahoe Deluxe NG Millivolt Fireplace provides up to 20,000 BTU of heat using a natural gas supply. It features a brick liner and six ceramic logs for an authentic fireplace look. The glass front provides a sealed chamber for combustion, but take note that the glass can become very hot to the touch. You’ll need to buy a barrier screen or door set for protection against touching the hot glass. This fireplace insert measures 37 inches wide but only 16 inches deep, allowing it to fit into shallow fireplace openings.
How does a direct vent fireplace work?
While most gas fireplace inserts need to exhaust fumes through the chimney, a direct vent fireplace uses a sealed chamber to draw in fresh air and expel exhaust through a specialized pipe that exits the house through a wall or roof opening. The Empire Tahoe Deluxe is a 36-inch direct vent fireplace that operates using natural gas.
How long does it take for a Kingsman fireplace to light?
With both natural gas and propane fuel options, you'll also get to decide whether to upgrade to IPI (immediate ignition) or standard millivolt ignition, which takes up to 30 seconds to light. As a direct vent model, this insert sends exhaust up your existing chimney with a chimney insert or horizontally through an exterior wall with special ductwork.
What is a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces are a convenient and appealing way to add the warmth of a fireplace to your home without the hassle of traditional woodburning fireplaces. Available in either vented or ventless configurations, you’ll need to determine which choice is right for your space. Vented gas fireplace inserts will require a flue or ductwork ...
What is the best ventless fireplace?
Best Ventless: Ashley Hearth Vent-Free Natural Gas Fireplace Insert. A ventless gas fireplace doesn’t require external venting, which offers an important upside: no heat escapes out the chimney or flue. As a result, ventless gas fireplace inserts are generally considered the best type of inserts for heating your room.
What Is A Fireplace Insert?
Benefits of A Fireplace Insert
- There are several primary reasons to consider installing a fireplace insert in your home. For one, it’s a lot cheaper than repairing a fireplacethat’s in need of extensive repairs. Compared to renovating or rebuilding your chimney and fireplace, which can put a huge dent in your home repair budget, installing a fireplace insert can be much less expensive. Yes, there is some sizabl…
Maintenance
- An insert is a wood burning device that requires proper maintenance to protect both the device and your home. Most manufactures suggest running a new linerthrough the chimney to increase safety. The major concern with an insert, as with most wood burning devices, is creosote. Creosote is a deposit that forms on the inside of the chimney walls that can build up over time a…
Cost and Limitations
- Generally speaking, an insert will cost between $1,200 - $2,500 depending on the model. Installation, accessoriesand additional parts will be an added expense. One limitation to the unit is the need for an existing chimney. Inserts also generate heat in one room.....the room where they're located. Blowers help circulate the heat to nearby rooms, but ceiling height, floor plans and insul…
Overall
- Overall, depending on your heating needs, a fireplace insert can effectively heat your home for a relatively low start up cost. While they may not be as popular as the traditional wood burning stove, inserts have supplied many homes with enough heat to stay comfortable through the winter. It's important to choose a model that will fit the size of y...