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How to Convert your Wood-Burning Fireplace to Electric or Gas

Are you tired of chopping and storing wood for your fireplace? Or perhaps you want a fireplace that is easier to clean? If so, it could be time to switch over to a gas or electric fireplace. The good news is that your fireplace doesn’t need a major overhaul for this to be accomplished – especially now that electric log sets, gas inserts, and other options are at your disposal.

 

Which Fireplace is Better: Gas or Electric?

Before we discuss how to convert wood burning fireplace to gas or how to convert a wood-burning fireplace to electric, let’s first compare gas and electric fireplaces.

 

Safety

Since all of these fireplaces must adhere to very stringent guidelines and government policies, they are all considered safe. Caution and care should be used when anywhere near or operating ALL "fireplace" appliances be it wood, gas, or electric. It's all about what you are comfortable with.

 

Efficiency

Gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces are both more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces. However, of the three, electric fireplaces are the most efficient. Electric fireplaces can even provide enough warmth to heat a room of several hundred square feet.

 

Aesthetic Appeal

Gas and electric fireplaces are both aesthetically pleasing. Whether you are looking for a traditional wood-burning look and feel or something more modern. Gas fireplaces feature a real flame while electric fireplaces do not. However, by using shape and ember bed materials different looks can be achieved.

Manufacturers like Napoleon take great care to make the artificial fire of electric fireplaces look as aesthetically pleasing and realistic as possible. In fact, some flame colours and forms are only possible with an electric fireplace – and this results in avant-garde and hypnotic display.

 

Adding Value to your Home

Generally, a gas fireplace would add more value to the home than an electric fireplace. Therefore, if you’re looking to sell your home within the next few years, a gas fireplace would be your best bet.

To see a more detailed comparison of wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces, and electric fireplaces, check out this article we wrote on how to choose the right type of fireplace for your needs.

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How to Convert to a Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces run on propane or natural gas. In order to convert your wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace, you would require either a functioning natural gas connection or a supply of liquid propane.

Furthermore, because the installation of any type of gas fireplace requires the handling of gas or propane, installation is NOT recommended as a DIY project.

 

Install a Vented Gas Log Set

Gas log sets are appliances that can be installed inside wood-burning fireplace openings. Though gas logs also produce heat and feature a real fire, these appliances do not give as much heat as gas inserts.

Some homeowners may be able to choose between vent-free gas logs vs. vented gas logs. Vented gas log sets vent directly outside requiring the fireplace dampers to remain open all of the time. This can lead to drafts and allow for cold air into the home.

Vent-free gas log sets safely vent directly into the room. These are only available to rooms of specific sizes and may not be available in your state/province due to government regulations. A fireplace professional will be able to assist in this selection.

 

Install a Gas Insert

A gas insert is a sealed combustion appliance designed to fit inside the existing fireplace opening. They are more efficient and produce more heat than vented gas log sets. Gas inserts draw combustion air from outside and gasses are also vented directly to the outdoors.

For aesthetic purposes, these units also have hand-painted logs inside to replicate the look of a wood-burning fireplace. You can also get different media kits like beachy rocks and driftwood or glass beds.

Most gas inserts make use of existing flues for venting which makes the fireplace conversion hassle-free. However, a professional inspection and/or cleaning of these flues may be required before they install the unit.

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How to Convert to an Electric Fireplace

Electric fireplaces are easy to set up. And because they are also easy to remove, electric fireplaces can be temporary stand-ins for real fire inside a wood-burning fireplace.

Get an Electric Log Set

Of all the options in this article, electric log sets are the easiest to set up in an existing wood-burning fireplace opening. Electric log sets consist of a heating component, an artificial flame, artificial logs, and other necessary ornaments.

Since these are not sealed units, like a gas insert, that need to fit over and cover the opening of the existing fireplace, the only sizing requirement needed is that the unit must be able to fit inside the existing fireplace. A nearby outlet is also required to provide power to the log set.

 

Get a Built-In Electric Fireplace

Built-in electric fireplaces are sealed rectangular units with an artificial flame inside. They function by taking the room’s cold air in, warming the air through their heating components, and blowing the air back into the room. However, the artificial flame itself and the glass covering do not get hot to the touch.

This type of electric fireplace can be installed into an existing wood-burning fireplace opening. One thing to note, however, is that these appliances must be precisely sized for them to look seamless.

 

Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace with Napoleon

If you’re ready to convert your wood-burning fireplace to gas or electric, Napoleon has a lineup of high-quality options. Peruse through our gas inserts like the ones in the Oakville™ series or our gas log sets in the Fiberglow™ series. We also have various electric logs in the Woodland™ Series and built-in electric fireplaces in the Cineview™ series.

Get ready to upgrade your home and experience unparalleled fireplace efficiency. Check out our fireplace collection today!

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