A nice compromise is to opt for a wood stove insert which would occupy the fireplace area but you might still want to have a standard wood fireplace for added beauty.
Wood burning stove vs fireplace insert.
Wood stoves are often big freestanding metal units that simply look awkward when not in use and do little to add beauty to a room.
If you re interested in a model that is even more eco friendly some of the newest stoves and inserts produce only 1 to 4 grams of smoke per hour.
It s a 45 inch wood burning fireplace insert that can generate up to 55 000 btu of heat and uses a 6 inch flue.
By placing a wood burning stove in the basement or lower level heat will rise and provide heating for most of the house especially if there is a staircase nearby.
As the name implies a fireplace insert is a self contained unit placed into an existing firebox.
Locate the stove or insert in a central location in the home if possible.
Wood fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing wood fireplace allowing you to update your drafty open wood fireplace dramatically increase heating capacity and wood burning efficiency while still enjoying the unmatched warmth ambience and nostalgia that only wood fireplaces can provide.
For installation of the gas burning fireplace components the cost can.
An insert operates similar to that of a space heater transforming an inefficient traditional fireplace into a highly efficient heat producer without sacrificing aesthetics.
A pre built gas burning fireplace can range from 1 500 to 3 000 for the materials and fireplace.
A small gas exhaust pipe can range from 500 and 1 000 for cost and installation.
A fireplace insert is a self contained heating appliance that fits inside an existing fireplace opening.
Consider purchasing two stoves to heat a larger home or ranch style home.
Like a traditional fireplace they are best for heating individual living spaces.
A wood fireplace is very much a centerpiece.
Why fireplace inserts work so well.
Environmental protection agency limits wood stove and fireplace insert emissions to 7 5 grams of smoke per hour for non catalytic models and 4 1 grams per hour for catalytic models.
Therefore the total cost for a wood burning fireplace ranges between 8 500 and 22 000.
A wood fireplace insert on the other hand cranks that efficiency rating upwards past 70 with many models boasting ratings in the mid 80s.