What is a Fireplace Insert?

If your home has an open masonry fireplace, you may want to consider having a fireplace insert installed. A fireplace insert is a fireplace contained in a metal box that converts your home’s inefficient, masonry fireplace into a gas, wood-burning, or pellet stove. Many homeowners in the Washington DC Metro Area find installing a fireplace insert to be a great option to increase energy efficiency while maintaining the natural beauty of a fireplace. For this reason, many chimney and fireplace companies like ours find fireplace inserts to be in high demand. How does a fireplace insert work? In simplest terms, a fireplace insert consists of two parts: a steel shell and a firebox. The firebox is designed to contain a fire (and its heat) so that rest of the room is heated with minimal waste. The steel shell surrounding the box helps to improve efficiency. Together, these two components work to make your home’s fireplace safer and more energy efficient.

Types of Fireplace Inserts

There are many different types of fireplace inserts, though a few of the most common types include

Not sure which is right for your needs? Explore some details about each fireplace insert below.

Gas Fireplace Inserts

When you’re looking to convert your fireplace into an efficient and low-maintenance option, gas fireplace inserts are an excellent choice. Some of the key benefits of installing a gas fireplace insert in your home include:

Unrivaled ease of use! Just flip a switch to get your fire started; no need to buy firewood or pellets.
Low maintenance! No ashes to clean out after each use and no dangerous creosote deposits to worry about building up.
More precise temperature control than a wood-burning or pellet fireplace.
Environmental friendliness! Fewer pollutants released into the atmosphere.

If you’re considering a gas fireplace insert, it is worth noting that the cost of fuel to run your gas fireplace will likely remain higher than the cost of firewood or wood pellets, so this should also be taken into consideration as you make your choice.

Wood-Burning Fireplace Inserts

If you prefer the look of real wood burning and the classic “crackle” of a traditional fireplace, then simply installing a wood-burning fireplace insert could be a wise choice. As long as you pick the right wood.. As long as you pick the right wood.. Some of the top benefits of wood-burning fireplace insert installation include:

Being able to retain the look and feel of a “real” fire.
Achieving the smell of wood burning, which many people enjoy.
Improved energy efficiency when compared to an open wood-burning fireplace.
Added safety when compared to an open fireplace.

Furthermore, the cost of purchasing firewood tends to be much less expensive than paying for gas or even pellets for a pellet stove. Keep in mind, however, that you will need a place to store firewood inside or outside of your home, and you will need to clean out your fireplace after you use it.

Pellet Stove Fireplace Inserts

For a compromise in benefits between a gas fireplace insert and a wood-burning fireplace insert, a pellet stove insert can be a smart decision. Pellet stove fireplaces operate by burning small pellets of compressed wood for safe and energy-efficient home heating. Some of the critical benefits of a pellet stove fireplace insert are:

A lack of creosote or other potentially dangerous build-ups.
Environmental friendliness! Pellet stoves produce very little smoke.
The energy efficiency of a gas fireplace with a more realistic look and feel.
Easy maintenance.

Other Important Considerations for Fireplace Inserts

While there are indeed many benefits of having a fireplace insert installed in your home, there are also some important considerations worth keeping in mind before you schedule installation. For starters, with most types of fireplace inserts, your home will need to have an existing and functioning chimney for safe ventilation of pollutants and gases created as a fire burns. If yo ur home’s chimney is in disrepair, this is something you’ll need to address before an insert can be installed and operated. Overall, the installation of a fireplace insert in your home can be a great way to improve energy efficiency and make your home’s fireplace safer. Now all that’s left to do is decide on the type of insert that best suits your needs and find a reputable company to handle the installation!