Electric fireplaces have many advantages over wood-burning and gas fireplaces, which may have you wondering, ‘Can I put an electric fireplace in my fireplace?’
- Electric fireplaces are more efficient than either wood-burning or gas fireplaces, because no heat is lost, and no cold air can enter, through venting or a chimney.
- Electric fireplaces are easier to install and maintain than either wood-burning or gas fireplaces, because they don’t require venting or a gas line, and they are zero-clearance.
- Electric fireplaces are less costly to purchase, install and maintain than either a wood-burning or gas fireplace, because they don’t require venting or a gas line, and may be installed in just about any wall materials.
- Electric fireplaces are cleaner than wood-burning fireplaces. There is no wood pile, and no soot or ash to clean up.
- Electric fireplaces are safer than wood-burning fireplaces. There is no risk of sparks or fire from an electric fireplace because there is nothing burning.
- Electric fireplaces are safer than gas fireplaces, because there is no risk of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide being released into the home.
- Electric fireplaces are more versatile than wood-burning or gas fireplaces, because they may be operated with or without heat, for year-round comfort and enjoyment.
- Electric fireplaces are more environmentally-friendly than either wood-burning or gas fireplaces. Because there is no combustion, electric fireplaces don’t emit pollution of any kind into the atmosphere, and they don’t contribute to climate change.
In addition, electric fireplaces have never looked more realistic, nor been available in so many different shapes and sizes. For all these reasons, many clients are intrigued by electric fireplaces. They are living in a home that currently has a wood-burning fireplace, or a gas fireplace, and are wondering if they can convert the fireplace to electric. The answer is, ‘Yes, you can!’ Below, we outline the various scenarios in which you might want to put an electric fireplace into your existing fireplace, and what you need to know.
Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace with an electric fireplace?
If you want to convert a wood-burning fireplace to electric, you can choose between an electric fireplace insert, and an electric log set. An electric log set is just as it sounds – a set of logs sitting in a grate, which mimics wood-burning logs, and which usually has a built-in heater. These can slide into your existing masonry fireplace, and plug in, without making any modifications to the fireplace itself. With this option, the interior of your wood-burning fireplace will still be visible. This is an easy, inexpensive solution that only requires a power connection. An electric log set may also be your only option if you can’t find an electric fireplace insert that fits your fireplace opening. Pro Tip: While you will close the chimney flue, cold air can still creep into the room during cooler weather.
An electric fireplace insert is a metal box that contains logs or other decorative media, and which slides into the fireplace opening. An electric insert will usually have a glass front on it. When you slide an electric fireplace insert into a wood-burning fireplace, you will no longer see the interior of your existing fireplace. There are far more options for electric inserts than there are for electric log sets, and electric inserts have more features than log sets. However, it can be challenging to find an electric insert that will perfectly fit your wood-burning fireplace opening. If you are refacing the fireplace, you can use the new wall materials to re-size the opening, and make it fit the electric fireplace insert. If you are not refacing the existing fireplace, you will need to choose an electric insert that has an optional trim kit. The trim will cover any gaps between the edges of the electric insert, and the fireplace opening. Pro Tip: Most masonry fireplace openings get narrower toward the rear of the opening. Be sure to measure the width of the opening mid-way back, and not just at the front.
Can I convert my gas fireplace with an electric fireplace?
If you are removing a gas insert from a former masonry wood-burning fireplace, see above for all the options. If you have more of a ‘builder’s’ gas fireplace, your options for an electric fireplace are a little different. When builders add a gas fireplace to a home, they create a box around the fireplace. This box is hollow inside, and will almost always be larger and deeper than the typical masonry fireplace opening. That means you have more size options to put an electric fireplace in your gas fireplace.
When replacing a gas fireplace with an electric fireplace, you will almost always need to reface the wall, or rebuild it completely. If you are refacing only, then your electric fireplace will need to be of a similar size to the original gas fireplace. You can make small adjustments to the existing opening by bringing the new wall materials around it. For example, you could have an electric fireplace with similar width, but make it more linear by reshaping the fireplace opening with the new wall materials.
If you are rebuilding the structure, then anything goes, and you can easily change the shape, style and size of the new electric fireplace. Most electric fireplace inserts are not as deep as gas fireplaces. If your old gas fireplace is protruding into the room, you may want to rebuild the entire fireplace, because the electric fireplace insert does not need to protrude as far. Some gas fireplaces actually protrude into the exterior of the home, in an uninsulated bump-out. Don’t forget to insulate this area if you are using if for your new electric insert. Pro Tip: Be sure to have a licensed gas fitter cap the gas line that runs to your old gas fireplace.
Can you convert your existing fireplace to electric? Here’s a summary:
- Confirm that you can get an electrical line to the old fireplace opening.
- Measure the existing opening, including the width mid-way back.
- Decide if you are going to reface or rebuild the opening, or leave it as-is.
- Decide if you want to stay with the same shape, size and style of fireplace or try something new.
- Source an electric fireplace that fits your opening.
- Install and enjoy!