If you have been confused about what fireplace inserts actually are, this post should be able to clear things up. A fireplace insert can accomplish one of two different tasks. One type of fireplace insert takes a conventional open fireplace and transforms it into a wood stove. The other type allows you to install a gas log fireplace without the need for a chimney. Both inserts provide excellent advantages in certain situations. Let’s take a closer look at these two options for fireplace inserts.
A fireplace adds warmth to any room, beyond the physical warmth of a fire. However, fireplaces can also be inefficient, allowing heat to escape up the chimney. If your primary concern is efficiently heating your home, then you may want to convert your traditional fireplace into a wood stove with a fireplace insert. This type of insert burns very cleanly and is highly efficient. Since the stove is mostly sealed other than ventilation for combustion, very little heat escapes. Almost all of the heat produced by the fire inside is transferred to the room. A fireplace insert provides a way to have a wood stove in your home without the “old-time” look of a standard wood stove.
Another device that is also called a fireplace insert accomplishes something completely different. It gives you a way to add a working fireplace without the expense involved in remodeling and adding a chimney. This insert is equipped with vent-free gas logs. These gas logs burn efficiently and provide heat with absolutely no loss to the outside. Because the gas logs are permanent, there is no need to stockpile wood for the winter. There are no ashes to deal with and no danger of sparks or embers causing a fire in your carpeting. These gas log fireplace inserts give you all of the beauty and ambiance of a real fireplace without the constant attention or maintenance that traditional fireplaces require.