What are fireplace inserts?

Home Improvement

A close-up of a fireplace.
iStockphoto/JurgaR

The sound of a crackling fire in a hearth is hard to resist. There’s nothing like a blazing fireplace to create a sense of warmth and comfort. However, the traditional wood-burning fireplace, whether it’s a factory-built fireplace or a masonry fireplace, has a major downside: heat loss.

Fireplaces are generally inefficient, drawing warm air out of the room and into the fire. A lot of that energy, heat, is lost up the chimney and through the material that surrounds it. In freezing temperatures, a fireplace exhausts more energy than it creates. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association rates the efficiency of older fireplaces at 5-10% [source: Kaufman].

Fireplace inserts are designed to increase a fireplace’s efficiency. An insert is a fireproof box surrounded by steel or cast iron and fronted by insulated glass, creating a closed combustion system. The steel or cast iron helps trap the heat, and some inserts have a blower that pushes hot air back into the room through front vents. When installed properly, fireplace inserts can be a much more efficient supplemental zone heater than a traditional fireplace [source: Wood Heat Organization].

Inserts can be powered by electricity, gas, propane, wood, pellets or coal.

Electric, gas and propane inserts also offer owners a significant time-saving advantage. To build a fire, you have to gather materials, which in some cases involve a tree, an axe and a lot of effort. Even if you buy wood, you still have to haul and store it. There’s also preparation involved in setting up a fire, such as gathering seasoned wood, papers and kindling to get it going. Smoke might get in your eyes (especially if you forget to open the flue!) as you tend to the fire to keep it going. And afterwards, you’ll have to clean all the ash out of the fireplace.

With an electric or gas insert, all you need to do to start the flames is push a button, which, depending on the model, might even be on a remote.

Keep reading to learn about electric fireplace inserts.

Electric Fireplace Inserts

Electric fireplace inserts are the simplest and least complicated types of inserts on the market. Because there is no combustion involved, no venting is required. Permits are not needed either. Just plug it in and watch the simulated flames flicker.

Electric fireplaces include a small heater, which puts out up to 5,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units, a measure of heat). Reflective, flickering lights create the illusion of flame. Many electric fireplace insert models allow you to adjust the flame size and can also be used with or without the heat component, which is beneficial if you live in a hot climate.

Electric fireplace insert users buy them for aesthetic reasons. They may be living in an apartment with a non-working fireplace, or they may have no access to natural gas in the area, or they simply don’t want to burn wood [source: Kaufman].

Electric fireplace inserts are much easier to install than gas or wood inserts. They simply need to fit into the fireplace opening, without any need to consider clearances from mantles, the back of the fireplace, or chimney flues. It’s as simple as putting a heavy glass on a kitchen shelf. The insert gets its power from a single plug that drops down from the hearth and plugs into a nearby electrical outlet, with the cost of operating it depending on electric costs. Electric fireplaces can be installed anywhere with power, and some are designed to be installed permanently in a wall or with a mantel, making them a great option for homes without fireplaces.

For gas fireplace inserts, homeowners need access to natural gas and must have them professionally installed. A gas line has to be run to the fireplace, with two small tubes running down through the chimney for combustion and exhaust. Gas inserts are very efficient and can heat medium-sized rooms with 25,000 to 40,000 BTUs, with energy efficiency ratings of 76% to 83%. They range in price from $1,400 to $3,000 and can help reduce gas bills. Gas inserts require little maintenance aside from cleaning the glass door, but a carbon monoxide detector is essential. Gas inserts come with ceramic or ceramic fiber “logs” and can require electricity for fans or blowers, with some models having remote controls or wall thermostats.

For both gas and wood inserts, it’s important to follow the unit’s mantel clearance guidelines, especially if the mantel isn’t noncombustible.

Wood Fireplace Inserts

A wood fireplace insert provides the aesthetic appeal of an open fireplace and the functionality of a modern wood stove. The efficiency rating of wood fireplace inserts is around 50%, which is better than traditional fireplaces but not as good as gas inserts [source: Kaufman]. However, burning wood emits pollutants that stick to chimneys as creosote or release into the air. Some areas have “burn free” days to combat air pollution levels [source: EPA].

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves all wood fireplace inserts to ensure they burn wood safely, efficiently and with less smoke. If an EPA-certified wood fireplace insert is sized and installed properly, it can reduce wood consumption and maintenance of the insert and chimney.

The fireboxes of a wood insert range from 1.6 cubic feet (.04 cubic meters) to 3.1 cubic feet (.09 cubic meters), depending on the model. They can release up to 85,000 BTUs per hour and burn for six to eight hours when fully loaded with wood.

The National Fire Protection Association requires a stainless-steel connector between the insert and the chimney’s flue liner, or a connector that runs all the way up the chimney. Some internal realignment of the chimney may be necessary. The cost of a wood insert model can be up to $2,000, with installation and chimney lining adding several hundred dollars more to the cost [source: Lemoff].

Here are some tips to ensure the safety and maintenance of a wood fireplace insert:

• If you smell smoke, your insert could be dangerous and not working correctly.
• Have your insert, chimney and vents professionally cleaned and inspected annually.
• Use logs made from 100% compressed sawdust when burning manufactured logs.
• Remove ashes regularly and store them in a covered metal container. Place the container on a cement or brick slab away from wood.
• Burn only dry wood that has been seasoned for at least six months.
• Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector near the fireplace.

To learn more, visit the links on the following page.

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You can call local tree cutters to inquire if they can drop wood at your property for free, as they typically pay a fee to dispose of it at a landfill [source: None].

Lots More Information

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Sources

• Environmental Protection Agency. “Wood Burning Efficiency and Safety.” (Accessed 12/11/08)http://www.epa.gov/Woodstoves/fireplaces.html
• Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association. “Fireplace Inserts.” (Accessed 12/04/08)http://www.woodheat.org/technology/inserts.htm
• Kaufman, Don. Head of Sales Training for Lennox Hearth Products. Personal interview, 12/11/08.
• Lemoff, Ted. Staff Liaison, National Fire Protection Association. “NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances.” Personal interview, 12/12/08.
• The Wood Heat Organization. “Fireplace Inserts: The Cure for Cold Fireplaces.” (Accessed 12/11/18)http://www.woodheat.org/technology/inserts.htm

FAQ

1. What is a fireplace insert?

A fireplace insert is a heating appliance that is designed to fit inside an existing wood-burning fireplace. It is typically made of cast iron or steel and features a firebox, a door, and a flue that connects to the chimney.

2. How does a fireplace insert work?

A fireplace insert works by trapping the heat that is produced by the fire and circulating it throughout the room. It is much more efficient than a traditional fireplace because it uses less fuel and produces more heat. The door of the insert allows you to control the amount of air that flows into the fire, which in turn controls the heat output.

3. What are the benefits of using a fireplace insert?

There are several benefits to using a fireplace insert, including increased efficiency, improved indoor air quality, and reduced heating costs. The insert can also help to reduce the amount of smoke and pollutants that are released into the environment.

4. Can a fireplace insert be installed in any fireplace?

No, a fireplace insert cannot be installed in every type of fireplace. It is important to consult with a professional before installing an insert to ensure that it is compatible with your existing fireplace and chimney.

5. How much does it cost to install a fireplace insert?

The cost of installing a fireplace insert can vary widely depending on the type of insert and the complexity of the installation. On average, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,500 for a professional installation.

6. What type of fuel can be used in a fireplace insert?

Most fireplace inserts are designed to burn wood, but some can also burn pellets, gas, or propane. It is important to choose an insert that is designed to burn the fuel that you plan to use.

7. How often should a fireplace insert be cleaned?

It is important to clean your fireplace insert regularly to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely. You should clean the insert at least once a year, or more often if you use it frequently. It is also important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.