Are Fireplace Inserts Worth It?

If you have a fireplace in your living room that is doing nothing more than gathering dust and housing your favorite collective items, and you are getting sick of the cold air coming into the room, then you might be thinking about getting yourself a fireplace insert.

But are they worth it?

If you can relate with any of the above, then a fireplace insert may just be the saving grace that you are looking for, and it can help to restore some love into your aging fireplace. You might be surprised at the difference that it can make to a room.

Before you go ahead and purchase a fireplace insert, you are probably wondering if they are worth your time and money, and this is something that we are going to explore in this article. This will help you to decide if a fireplace insert is right for you.

What Fuel Type Do You Want To Use?

A fireplace insert is a fireplace that has been specifically designed to slide into an existing wood burning fireplace.

Regardless of what type of fireplace you have, you will need to choose from various different types of inserts. The 4 fuel types that you can choose from are gas, wood, pellets and electric.

Each of them comes with their own set of advantages, and we will explain them all below so you can decide which of them is best for your situation.

Wood

In order to make a burning wood fire worth it, you will need three things. The first of these things is time, as you will spend lots of time splitting, hauling, and stacking wood, which can be a lengthy process that not everyone wants to do.

It also takes time to prepare the wood and season it so that it is ready to burn. It also takes a lot of time to maintain the fire itself.

The second thing that you will need to consider is where you would need to store your wood supply. Of course, the closer the better, but not everyone is able to do this.

Finally, you will need to consider the equipment that is needed for cutting wood and preparing this type of fire.

The costs of all of these things will add up quickly. You should also consider the added expense of maintaining this equipment.

Gas

Whether you are thinking of using natural gas or LP gas, you can expect much more convenience with a gas fireplace insert.

With a simple flip of a switch or click of a button, you will be able to enjoy being able to control the amount of heat, the fan speed, and temperature in your room.

You also won’t have to deal with any bugs, dirt, or ashes, and they are typically more energy efficient.

Pellets

Wood pellets can be a great option for those that are looking to burn a renewable resource, but they don't have a reliable wood supply. Pellets will come pre-packages, and they are easy to store.

The amount of heat can also be easily controlled by the burn rate. However, it will create a fine ash and requires regular maintenance to keep your insert working as it should be.

Electric

An electric insert is one of the most convenient types that you can get, but they don’t necessarily require an existing fireplace as they could simply be mounted to the wall instead.

An electric insert will generate heat, but perhaps not as much as the other types are able to provide. Although, they do offer great effects and ambiance.

Are Fireplace Inserts Worth It?

Yes, fireplace inserts can be worth it for many people. However, there are lots of things for you to think about, especially when it comes to the fuel type of your chosen fireplace insert.

You should carefully consider the four options that are available to you, so you can decide for yourself if it will be worth it.

Some people choose to get rid of their fireplaces completely, but if this isn’t for you, then it is likely that a fireplace insert will be able to solve your immediate problems.

The Benefits Of Using A Fireplace Insert

There are quite a few benefits of using fireplace inserts. The first of these is that many open wood fireplaces actually operate at a negative efficiency, which means that they receive more heat from the house than they contribute to it.

Getting a fireplace insert will only improve this situation, allowing for better heat prosecution and distribution in your home.

As well as this, all fireplace inserts, no matter what type you decide to get, will work to seal the chimney and prevent any heat loss through this area.

Wood, gas and pellet inserts will use a liner up the existing chimney, which is completely surrounded by insulation and completely seals the chimney.

Due to the fact that an electric insert is not vented, no liner will need to be installed. Instead, it is sealed through the use of insulation. Either way, the cold draft will be eliminated.

Studies have shown that around 50% of buyers would like a fireplace in their home. So, by upgrading an old fireplace, you could be creating a great selling point for your home in the future.

A fireplace can often return the full investment and may even add more value to your home.

Something else to be aware of is the fact that a wood, gas, pellet, or electric stove will provide you with the opportunity to zone heat your home. Some larger inserts can even be capable of heating up to 2000 square feet of space.

As well as all of this, it is really nice to have the atmosphere and warmth that comes with the use of a fireplace. There is nothing that can beat a warm fire on a cold night.

So, now that you have all of the information available to you, you can go ahead and decide whether or not a fireplace insert is right for you.