Your traditional, wood-burning fireplace may be a beautiful feature in your home. In fact, a lovely fireplace can easily be the focal point in a living room, and it can set the pace for the home’s overall design. However, wood-burning fireplaces have their downsides. For example, they do not maintain their heat output, and they require regular attention when a fire is burning. More than that, they are messy features that require frequent cleaning, and considerable effort is required to start a wood fire. By converting your wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace, you can avoid these downsides and enjoy the full charm and heat production that you desire. Converting your old fireplace into a gas fireplace is easy to do through a few simple steps.
Clean and Inspect Your Chimney
Before you make any changes to the fireplace, you should ensure that the chimney and flue are in great working order. A professional chimney sweep can remove creosote buildup from the inside of the chimney. He or she can also identify and repair any damages.
Buy a Gas Fireplace Insert
The next step is to select the insert that you want to install in your home. There are a variety of decorative styles to choose from, and the type of glow from the embers or logs adds to the insert’s aesthetic appeal. There are also differences in the size of the units and their heat outputs. Ensure that the insert you select is large enough to heat the entire living space.
Install a Gas Line
Unless your fireplace already has a gas connection, you will need to install one. To do so, simply hire a licensed contractor to visit your home and complete the installation. Ensure that it can accommodate the BTU rating for your gas fireplace insert.
Schedule Gas Insert Installation
Generally, a gas fireplace insert should be professionally installed. This will ensure that it is installed correctly from day one. Professional gas insert installation can reduce your risk of a house fire, optimize the unit’s efficiency and deliver the aesthetic benefits that you want from your gas fireplace.
Explore the Options Today
With a variety of gas fireplace inserts available to choose from, you can easily find at least a few options that you would love to have in your home. Now that you have finalized your decision to convert your wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace, you can begin imagining the possibilities by exploring insert options today.