The cost to convert a fireplace to gas runs between $300 and $12,000, depending on the model; vented fireplaces are a more expensive choice.
The average cost to convert a fireplace to gas is $3,000, but there are a few different factors to consider—like the type of fireplace you want and whether or not you already have natural gas lines running to your home—that can leave your total anywhere between $500 and $5,500.
There are many reasons to prefer a gas fireplace over other types of fireplaces—the convenience of starting a roaring fire with just a knob and an igniter, for one. Gas fireplaces are also more efficient and easier to maintain because you don’t need to stock up and store wood or clean up ash and soot. And gas fireplaces can also provide more heat and warmth than most other types. In this guide, we’ll explain the cost to convert a fireplace to gas and all of the factors you’ll need to consider along the way.
The type of gas fireplace you want has the greatest impact on cost. There are two main kinds of gas fireplaces: vented and ventless gas fireplaces. You can equip either of these types of gas fireplaces with gas fireplace inserts, which look like logs to improve the aesthetic of your fireplace. Fireplace inserts costs on average $3,600, with vented gas fireplaces being more expensive than ventless.
| Vented Gas Fireplaces | Ventless Gas Fireplaces |
|---|---|
| Lose heat to outside | Provide more heat to living space |
| Burn less efficiently | Burn more efficiently |
| Vent pollutants to exterior | Add some pollutants to indoor air |
| Most expensive gas fireplace | Far less expensive |
| Require chimney or vent | No ventilation required |
| Always up to building code | Not legal in some areas |
A vented gas fireplace costs an average of around $5,000, making it the most expensive type to install.
Vented gas fireplaces, unsurprisingly, include a vent to the exterior of your home. The vent collects materials left over after combustion, which can be hazardous to your health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. To continue feeding the flame the oxygen it needs to burn, the venting system also pulls air from your living space.
Vented gas fireplaces are less efficient both in how the gas burns and in how they heat your home. You’re essentially paying to heat air that gets pumped outside, so they provide far less heat to your home’s interior than ventless fireplaces.
As you can probably imagine, installing a vented gas fireplace where you don’t already have a traditional fireplace and chimney can be expensive and time-consuming.
A ventless gas fireplace doesn’t have any vent to the exterior of your home, so the average cost is much lower, usually around $1,500.
Ventless gas fireplaces don’t require vents because they burn the natural gas more efficiently. The leftover pollutants from combustion are released into your living space. Although they aren’t plentiful, some people have concerns about the effect on indoor air quality. Due to the safety concerns of ventless fireplaces, some building departments outlaw them.
Ventless gas fireplaces burn more efficiently, but they also heat your home better because the heated air isn’t lost to the outside. You should weigh the pros and cons of ventless gas fireplaces carefully before deciding.
The final price of converting a fireplace to gas includes more than the unit alone. Though the total cost will be different depending on your needs, other factors play a part as well.
| Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Installing natural gas line | $200 – $1,000 |
| Chimney cleaning | $100 – $150 |
| Labor | $500 – $2,000 |
Depending on your floor plan, installing a natural gas line to your fireplace can be relatively simple … or not. For instance, putting in a long gas line on an interior wall is more challenging than adding a gas line through an exterior wall.
If you don’t already have a natural gas line near the area, the cost to install one will be around $200 to $1,000 on top of the labor and material costs, and the work will need to be performed by a local licensed professional.
A plumber typically charges around $75 to $100 per hour, so if you don’t already have a gas line installed near the fireplace or need one connected, factor this into the total costs of your fireplace conversion. Running gas lines can run an average of $15 to $25 per linear foot in addition to labor costs.
Having your chimney professionally cleaned before installing a new gas fireplace is also a good idea. You’ll pay $100 to $150 for a local professional chimney cleaner. Your gas plumber or contractor may be able to connect you with someone or roll this cost into their total estimate.
Cleaning your chimney might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can help prevent house fires, so it’s always a good idea if you’re having work done anyway.
Most homeowners pay $2,000 to $5,000 to convert to a gas fireplace using an insert or gas logs (rather than installing an all-new gas line). Of course, prices will change based on the brand you choose, the project’s complexity, and labor costs in your area. A local fireplace professional can give you more information on the time and parts required
Even if you’re confident with your DIY skills, this isn’t a project you should try to tackle alone. Switching between gas and wood fireplaces involves work with gas lines and other jobs that not only should be performed by certified professionals, but must be, according to local laws and regulations.
Even if you have gas lines run to your new gas fireplace site, we still strongly recommend having a professional do all of the work for you. This is especially true with vented fireplaces, as mistakes made during the venting process can lead to dangerous and deadly chemicals in your indoor air, as well as an increased risk of house fire.
If you’re trying to save money, keep in mind that fireplaces can add value to your home and it’s worth paying for professional installation to avoid costly repairs in the long run.
Working with gas can be very dangerous and even harmful to your health. Only attempt gas projects yourself if you have the experience and credentials to do so safely. Otherwise, let the professionals handle these jobs.
Yes, you can have a gas line professionally installed to convert your traditional fireplace to natural gas; just know it’ll be an extra cost to budget for. The cost to run a gas line where you don’t already have one is about $540, though most homeowners pay between $260 and $820. Your total could be significantly higher if you don’t already have a main gas line running to your home.
There isn’t a way to convert electric fireplaces easily or cheaply to gas. The process requires major renovations, as opposed to wood fireplaces, which are often already vented and have space for the gas-burning equipment. To convert an electric fireplace to gas, you’d need to remove your old fireplace and get a completely new install.
In short, yes, gas fireplaces create fewer pollutants and are considered more environmentally friendly than traditional ones. In general, natural gas fireplaces release only half to two-thirds as much CO2 per unit of heat (BTU) as burning wood. Plus, gas fireplaces emit fewer harmful particles and air pollutants. They can also be about three times as efficient as wood in terms of heating your home, resulting in a much higher level of their energy converting into heat.
In most cases, converting a wood fireplace to a gas fireplace will increase your home value because they burn cleaner, provide more warmth to your living area, and are far more convenient to use. Thanks to gas fireplace inserts that make your fireplace look like it’s full of burning logs, home buyers can still get the aesthetic appeal of a traditional fireplace plus the benefits of a gas fireplace if you make the conversion.
The effect a gas fireplace has on your gas bill will depend on how often you use it, the size of the rooms you’re heating with it, and the BTUs of the fireplace itself, but generally speaking, it should only cost a few cents an hour to run it when it’s on. It will consume minimal energy when it’s “off” if you have a pilot light running constantly, but some modern gas fireplaces don’t require a constant pilot light.
