So if an existing, leaky hearth is causing heating costs to rise, adding a direct vent gas insert can almost eliminate this headache. This high maintenance side is due to their need for constant attention to ensure optimum performance. Then, nail or screw the fire stop into position. The cost of gas fireplace inserts can vary wildly due to installation costs. When purchasing a fireplace insert, look beyond appearance. The higher end of the range also assumes that you would be using up to a 35 foot run of a 4-inch venting system. Be sure to get one that is properly sized for your needs. Flexible venting is the most commonly selected method for wood burning inserts and must be a minimum grade of 304 stainless steel, with 316 stainless being preferred. This information should be available through the manufacturer as listed in your installation manual. When compared to wood burning, pellet heating is cleaner-burning and when compared to the efficiency of pretty much anything out there, pellet hearth systems beat wood and gas heating by a mile. Gas inserts can be direct vent, natural vent or vent-free. The other installation type for wood burning insert venting uses rigid liner sections. Some manufacturers offer decorative surrounds and flashings to match their inserts. With gas-burning inserts, you are going to get the highest level of efficient heat output. As we have mentioned earlier in this guide, fireplace inserts come in three fuel types, gas-burning, wood-burning, and pellet-burning. Fireplace inserts are not one-size-fits-all. Since inserts are made to be able to fit inside most fireplaces, you should be able to find an insert that will fit inside your fireplace, unless it is unusually small. The combustion chamber is sealed with a solid pane of tempered or ceramic glass and, since all combustion air is drawn in from the outdoors and all combustion gases are exhausted to the outdoors, there is zero air exchange with the home. The lower end of the range assumes that the existing fireplace and chimney are in good condition and that there is an electrical source nearby. wall mounted electric fireplace, freestanding electric stove and electric fireplace insert. LOCATION: . The lower end also assumes that the chimney is the correct height, is roughly 15 feet (of 304 flex liner with crimp seams) in length, and will be easily terminated using no custom parts. Pellet fuel is manufactured for the intended purpose of providing efficient heating. The higher end of the range includes the need for electrical relocation to power the insert, service to the existing fireplace and chimney, and the possibility of an outside air kit to be installed. As always here at eFireplaceStore, we are happy to help you find the appropriate flashing or surround or to let you know that you will need to have a custom surround made. Gas Inserts Wood Burning Inserts Electric Inserts Pellet Stove Inserts ... You'll also need a hole cut to the size of the firestop. Width and height of opening MUST come from table below. Each insert offers different heat levels and fan speeds. The authenticity of a wood fire cannot be beat, and a wood-burning insert is still a popular option. A final consideration is bringing in outside air as this may be required when installing a pellet insert into a mobile home and is something that is always recommended. All this being said, many customers will choose to pass on the insulation to save money, only to have the installation completed and find the system does not draw properly because of low liner temperatures, causing them to have to pull the liner out and insulate it after the fact, adding to the total cost. Even if the system does utilize the twist and lock system, at least one screw per section should be used to ensure the liner sections do not separate in the event of a rotation of the liner or, even worse, in the event of a chimney fire. Do you have inserts for electric fireplaces that go into a fireplace that the gas was removed from? Now that you know the size of your existing fireplace, you can start to look at sizes of inserts to get an idea of what sort of insert you might like to have in your home. The flashing or surround will cover the area where the insert meets the edge of the preexisting fireplace, and cover any unsightly gaps.