If you love the warmth and ambiance of your indoor fireplace but dread the mess, maintenance, and inefficiency of your traditional wood fireplace, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are making the smart switch to a modern gas fireplace. This conversion transforms your hearth into a convenient, clean, and highly efficient heat source. At Haven Spa, Pool & Hearth, with locations in Clackamas, Beaverton, Salem, and Vancouver, we guide you through the entire fireplace installation process. Here is a deep dive into what you can expect when upgrading your old wood burner. Get started today.
Choosing Your Gas Solution: Logs vs. Insert
Your first step is deciding on the right type of conversion for your home and budget. You generally have two options:
- Gas Log Set: This is the most straightforward and affordable route. We install a gas line and then place realistic ceramic logs over a burner inside your existing firebox. This provides ambiance but is less efficient since your chimney damper must be permanently kept open for venting.
- Gas Fireplace Insert: This is the more popular, highly efficient option. A gas fireplace insert is essentially a sealed unit that slides directly into your existing wood opening. It uses its own vent system (often run up the chimney), which increases heat output dramatically and eliminates drafts.
The Role of Gas and Venting
Once the unit is chosen, the critical work begins. Since you are converting to gas, a licensed professional must install a natural gas or propane line to the fireplace opening. For a high-efficiency gas insert, our team will also install a new, sealed venting system, typically a flexible stainless-steel liner, down your existing chimney flue. This two-pipe system draws combustion air from outside and vents exhaust safely back out, maximizing the heat that stays in your room.
Professional Installation and Finishing
The actual installation of your new gas fireplace or log set is usually completed within one to two days. Our certified technicians will carefully remove any existing wood-burning components, fit and secure the new insert or log set, and finalize the gas and venting connections. We handle all the intricate details, including any necessary electrical work for blowers or ignitions.
GET STARTED TODAY
Converting your wood fireplace to a gas fireplace is a significant home upgrade that boosts efficiency, convenience, and home value. Trust the experts at Haven Spa, Pool & Hearth to ensure a seamless and professional transition. Stop by a location today.