Do you recommend removing an old fireplace insert

[Horse with no Name]

and installing gas logs?

Are they really energy efficient?

What do you look for when purchasing these logs?

Any prep to the inside of the fireplace?

Thanks in advance.

[NMDemDist2]

1. my old insert was extremely efficient giving off heat, but burning is

dirty for sure. i've never had a gas log fireplace that put out that kind of heat......

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. That depends.

If you are looking for efficiency, I think you are better off with an insert. Maybe even upgrading the insert if needed.

I guess it depends, mostly, on what you intend to do with the fireplace and if you have access to relatively inexpensive fire wood. If you intend to heat, or supplement your heat, with wood, then I would say stick with an insert - and maybe upgrade to an quality insert with a blower fan if you don't already have one.

If you want occasional cozy nights with ambiance while snuggled up, then a gas log set up may be your best bet... or a wood-burner with gas starter. Let's face it, moving and stacking firewood can be a pain. But be aware, open fireplaces are really inefficient and suck lots of paid-for heat up the chimney.

You probably already know these things if you have been using your insert.

My in-laws heat their home almost exclusively with wood they cut and split on their property. At 68 and 78 years old, it's their exercise - no gym memberships needed. They installed an expensive (around 2k) high efficiency insert with a fan blower motor. That puppy cranks up the heat.... AND it slows the rate of burn so the logs last longer. They can fill it before bedtime (around 830) and not have to refill till around 4 when they get up (they're old-timers). It's cool to look through the glass and watch the fire swirl around in the fire box. It's like a blast furnace.

My open fireplace with gas starter, on the other hand, burns through a bundle of wood in less than an hour? or two? (I never really timed it but it is fast compared to in-laws). The reason being is the air supply to the fire is not regulated. Also, the rest of the house gets cold because the fireplace tricks the thermostat in to thinking it's warmer than it is. We've been keeping our furnace heat really low anyway to save money so the extra bump in heat is a nice treat. Firewood is not the best deal though for us at 130 bucks per face-cord in Chicago. If I burn a lot of fires, I can go through two face cords per winter. Plus I have to carry them up 3 flights of stairs and stack it on my back deck (I live in a condo).


As for the conversion piece: I would assume the insert came with its OWN duct/chimney (if it IS an insert and not just a heavy duty door). The insert duct is probably stainless? That chimney insert would likely need to be removed as it is probably smaller than the original chimney and meant to work only with the insert. You can probably tell this if you get up un the roof and see a retro-fitted chimney and cap that is smaller than the original chimney opening.

Do you already have a gas supply feed the fireplace? How old is the house/chimney?

IIRC, when I looked at gas logs back when I built this fireplace, the nice ones were over like $300 bucks. But you might find a deal on the internets.

Because fire is involved, I would see if you can get an inspection from a local fireplace supplier. They may come out for free if you need an estimate for, say, a new insert box.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Thank you! This was very informative.

The house is a 1970's ranch.

It has a HUGE fireplace insert in it that isn't very attractive, and not sure that it is even functional. It does have blowers though.

We live in an area that has had significant ice storms in the past with electricity outage for weeks.Some of the old time ranchers are predicting that for this year. We had a cold winter last year with rolling blackouts, hot summer with threatened blackouts, and honestly, I don't trust our grid to take us through an another extreme season without some difficulties. With small kids in the house, we are trying to get ourselves prepared for an eventful winter.

This is what we are trying to address, as well as a supplemental heat source for the rest of the winter. You gave me some wonderful things to consider. Thank you!