How To Convert A Wood-Burning Fireplace To Gas

Is it difficult to convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas? No. This guide will simplify the process.

Do you have a wood-burning fireplace that you wish to change for one that burns much cleaner? Rather than abandoning your old wood-burning fireplace, you can have it retrofitted with gas logs.

Another option is to install a gas fireplace insert in a wood-burning fireplace.

This is very practicable and achievable as lots of people have done the same.

Converting A Wood Fireplace To Gas

Wood burning fireplaces are gradually losing out to other cleaner fuel sources due to the inconvenience involved and less efficient combustion they’re known for.

If you have one (wood burning fireplace) you wish to convert, you’ll find this article really informative

Reasons To Replace Wood-Burning Fireplace With Gas

There are several reasons why anyone will want to have their old wood-burning fireplace converted to gas. These have to do with the inconvenience of usage.

First, there’s a need to tend the fire as it cannot be left unattended.

There’s a need to clean up accumulated ash after each use. Wood logs have to be chopped to smaller sizes to feed into the fire. Sometimes, you have to wait until the fire burns out.

There’s also a problem with the storage of seasoned wood. This could take up valuable space.

Also, a more frequent cleanup of the flue is needed to avoid creosote and soot accumulation. All of these are reasons why people switch from using wood-burning fireplaces to gas fireplace.

What You Get with Propane Gas Fireplaces

Having pointed out the likely reasons people convert from wood to gas fireplaces, it’s important to highlight the benefits of the latter.

With a gas fireplace, the need for frequent cleaning is eliminated, while also saving on energy.

A gas fireplace is much easier to operate and burns warmer. It’s also stylish and environmentally friendly. With these benefits, it’s evident why a lot of people will want to convert their wood-burning fireplaces to gas.

Requirements For Wood Fireplace To Gas Conversion

As part of the process of conversion, certain requirements are needed to make this procedure a success. One of them includes the installation of a gas line.

Gas line installation must be handled by a licensed technician to ensure it’s well installed.

Anything less than that will lead to improper functioning which will affect the entire system. It’s important to avoid taking shortcuts during the conversion process.

Ensure the best job is done properly and follow the advice or recommendations of a professional.

• Maintenance and Repair

Before a wood-burning fireplace gets converted to a gas fireplace, it will need to be prepared for such. Preparation in this sense refers to carrying basic maintenance and repair on the fireplace depending on its condition.

A licensed chimney sweep needs to be called to perform a detailed inspection of the chimney.

This procedure is likely to involve cleaning of accumulated creosote in addition to repair of damaged areas.

Only when completed is the fireplace ready for conversion.

Technicians Know How To Install Gas Fireplace in Existing Chimney

It’s never recommended for you to carry out chimney conversion yourself.

This is a technical job that requires professionals with the right knowledge. Any attempt to perform the DIY conversion is likely to backfire as there are bound to be mistaken resulting in malfunction.

As such, you should call a licensed and experienced technician for this procedure. You’ll have a chance to state your preferences in terms of the gas fireplace type you need among other things.

Here is how to convert a wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter to gas logs.

Practical Guide To Gas Fireplace Conversion

In a bid to convert your wood-burning fireplace to propane gas, you’ll need to choose your preferred line of action.

The byline of action means choosing the kind of gas fireplace you want to install. Several types are ranging from vent-free (also called ventless fireplaces) as well to vented (or direct vent fireplaces).

There’s more! Other options you can choose from include inserts, built-ins, and log sets. These are all gas fireplace variants that can be introduced to an existing wood-burning fireplace.

Let’s briefly discuss each of these for better understanding.

• Vent-Free

As the name suggests, ventless fireplaces have no pipe directing combustion fumes out the home.

Plus, combustion air is only drawn from your room. This gas fireplace type has about a 99% fuel efficiency rating as the heat is retained indoors due to the absence of a vent.

However, there’s the problem of toxic combustion byproducts.

To address such risks, oxygen sensors are incorporated into these gas fireplace units to ensure the fireplace is turned off immediately when there’s a drop in oxygen below safe levels.

• Vented Fireplace

Vented gas fireplaces are considered as having the safest combustion byproduct dispersal mechanisms. Unlike vent-free fireplaces, these have vents that expel harmful smoke or exhaust.

These are optional gas fireplaces that can be installed in an existing wood-burning fireplace.

• Inserts

Inserts are designed to significantly improve the efficiency of a fireplace. It’s basically a fireproof box that’s inserted into an existing wood-burning fireplace and connected to a gas line.

More efficient combustion is achieved, thus achieving better warming of a home.

• Log Sets

These are among the easiest to install in an existing wood-burning fireplace. Here, ceramic logs are installed together with a burner. These logs mimic burning logs when the fire is on.

Compared with the other gas fireplaces, log sets are considered more decorative interior designs due to their appearance plus the fact that they lose most of their heat.

Is Conversion The Best Approach to Take?

It depends on several factors including your chimney condition.

More importantly, you want your fireplace to burn more efficiently. It’s clear that wood-burning fireplaces hardly achieve efficient combustion and warming.

You’re going to get all of that with a fireplace that’s converted to use gas.

Speaking with your chimney technician is the best way to find answers. Such technicians must be licensed and experienced. The advice given goes along to enhance the functions of your chimney.

You’ll need to ask as many questions as you have. A professional wouldn’t mind providing all the answers.

Converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas is possible and is quite common with most homeowners. People convert existing fireplaces to use more efficient fuels of which gas is one.

We’ve also stated that the conversion process is quite complicated and shouldn’t be handled by a novice.