In this guide

Gas Fireplace Cost by Type

Gas fireplaces are designed for energy savings on heating, ambiance, and affordability. If you want to install a fireplace or replace an existing one, you can choose between a gas insert, gas logs, or a built-in ² gas fireplace. The gas fireplace’s cost depends on the design’s size and technology. The table below represents the average cost for the fire unit only, not installation:

Gas Log Fireplace Cost

The fireplace is composed of realistic ceramic logs inside an existing fireplace. It is the most budget-savvy and cost-effective fireplace. There are two types of venting options that use a gas burner to heat the logs. Vented gas logs are similar to traditional wood-burning fireplaces, sending heat through an existing chimney. Vent-free gas logs emit low heat into the house without the need for a flue ³ or chimney. When choosing this gas fireplace, consider whether you need to heat the room or simply enjoy the fireplace’s aesthetics. Homeowners typically pay around $450 to $850 for a gas log fireplace, not including installation costs.

Gas Fireplace Insert Cost

If you have an existing wood-burning fireplace, you can convert to gas by installing a gas-burning insert. The insert consists of two boxes with a space to separate the boxes. The air in that space is heated and released from the firebox into the room. The entire unit is inserted in the existing fireplace and uses the original chimney like a traditional wood-burning fireplace. It is comparably less expensive to install than a built-in gas fireplace. While it costs more than gas logs up front, they use less gas and cost far less to operate over time. Expect to pay between $580 to $900 for a gas fireplace insert, plus additional fees and installation charges.

Built-in Gas Fireplace Cost

Gas fireplaces are designed like an insert with one difference. Gas fireplaces do not need an existing fireplace or chimney to operate, making a built-in gas fireplace a good option for homes that were built without one. Built-in gas fireplaces have a higher BTU - a measure of heat output - than gas inserts or fireplace logs. This keeps more heat in the room, reducing energy costs. As the most expensive type, the cost of built-in gas fireplaces ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, with additional costs for installation.

Fireplace Prices by Type of Ventilation

There are two types of ventilation for gas fireplaces - direct vent and ventless. Direct ventilation works with a venting system, including a chimney and duct tubes, that draws in fresh air, heats it, and sends it out to the room. Ventless gas fireplaces draw air from the room, heat it, and release the warmed air back into the room. Direct or ventless gas fireplace costs vary based on the model, home's environment, and local.

Ventless Gas Fireplace Cost

Ventless fireplace models do not need vents and can be easily installed anywhere. These fireplaces produce more heat but lower the amount of oxygen in the space, becoming a risk and limiting the fireplace’s lifetime. The average cost of a ventless gas fireplace and gas line falls between $600 and $1,600, not including installation or finish work.

Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace Cost

A direct-vent fireplace should be located on an outside wall so that a pipe or chimney can release the gas byproducts with little risk of carbon monoxide concerns, while also bringing in fresh air. A direct-vent fireplace restricts the fireplace’s placement because it requires a venting system, adding difficulty to the installation. The unit cost starts at $1,200 for a gas firebox insert and $3,400 for a built-in gas firebox, not including installation or gas line charges.

Gas Fireplace Pricing by Surround Material

The surround material adds a distinct look to a gas fireplace. The most common choices are brick, stone, or tile, which offer a modern, contemporary, rustic character to the room. The cost of materials is based on the fireplace’s size and unit’s design. The cost differences vary between decorative veneers ⁴ and authentic materials:

Tile Around Gas Fireplace

Tile is known for its clean lines and customized patterns. It is an affordable choice with a wide range of colors, patterns, styles, and textures. The most appealing trait with tile is the ease of cleaning. Tile is also fire-safe compared to other materials. This surround option can be expensive, depending on the material, brand, and pattern selection. Expect to pay $5 to $15 per square foot of tile for your gas fireplace surround.

Brick Gas Fireplace

Brick is a traditional favorite for gas fireplaces. It is durable, easy to work with, and resistant to extreme temperature changes. Brick has high-durability and could be a good choice if you want to go for a contemporary look. Prices range from $10 to $30 per square foot of brick for your gas fireplace surround.

Stone Surround Gas Fireplace

Natural stone adds depth with texture and color. Earth tones include travertine, which resembles marble, limestone ⁵, flagstone ⁶, or slate ⁷. They all share quality traits, but there are differences. Some are resistant to cracking, scratches, or chips, and yet others require resealing. Cleaning is another issue with a stone fireplace surround since the joining material can make it difficult to clean trapped dirt or dust. Costs are $60 to $100 per square foot for a fireplace stone surround, uninstalled.

Propane vs Natural Gas Fireplace

The cost of a fireplace depends on what it is powered by. When choosing between propane ⁸ and natural gas for the gas fireplace fuel, it depends on the user’s preference as well as the availability of each fuel in your local area.

Natural Gas Fireplace Cost

In natural gas fireplaces, fuel is commonly supplied through local utility companies through structured and regulated pipelines. The efficiency of natural gas tends to be higher when heating an entire household than propane gas. The deciding factor is the cost per cubic foot. Natural gas is also noted as a clean energy alternative, producing fewer harmful emissions. Because it is a lighter fuel, it evaporates into the air faster, removing any potential harmful residue or odors. To find out if natural gas is available, contact your local service company. The cost of a natural gas fireplace unit ranges from $400 to $3,000.

Propane Fireplace Cost

Propane gas homeowners are motivated by the ease of access to an ample supply of fuel on the property at all times. Many properties have a propane tank located on-site. In rural areas where no other fuel options exist, propane suppliers offer residential service plans to meet the homeowner’s needs. While there are propane fuel advantages regarding efficiency, propane gas fireplaces have higher costs. Expect to pay between $500 to $4,000, depending on the model and not including installation or fuel conversions.

Cost to Install a Gas Fireplace

The total cost to install a gas fireplace ranges from $2,300 to $10,000. Material and labor costs associated with the gas fireplace type, existing conditions, and design selections influence these fees. For example, specific requirements apply to secure the gas line to the fireplace or running an extended gas line, which costs between $10 and $20 per linear foot. The finish work like masonry, tiles, or painting the surrounding exterior adds another $3,500 to $7,500, depending on the material, brands, and site preparation.

Hire a certified professional installer because piping and electrical permits for gas fireplaces are required in some locations.

Cost to Install a Gas Fireplace Insert

The cost to install a gas fireplace insert unit using an existing chimney and duct system in good condition ranges from $500 to $3,500. The chimney needs to be cleaned before the work can begin, at a cost of $200. Labor plus materials, including specific gas tubing, liner inserts, and new vents (caps), range from $300 to $1,800. Gas line modifications or a new installation must meet building codes, with costs from $200 to $1,200.

Gas Log Installation Cost

Gas log installation costs for vented or vent-free units vary from $200 to $1,000, depending on the size and model. BTUs can be controlled with an electrical switch, adding electricity costs of $250 to $500. Installation of a gas value, log lighter, and the key installation for turning the gas on or off runs about $250. Ventilation is critical for all fireplaces, depending on the location and model, and costs fall between $400 and $2,000.

Direct Vent Gas Fireplace Installation

The cost for a direct-vent gas fireplace unit installation is $500 to $5,000. If the chimney needs repair or replacement, expect an additional charge of $400 to $6,000. Modifications or repairs to ductwork systems range from $500 to $1,500. Good ventilation is critical because it allows the flow of residue or toxins to be released from the home. An existing chimney or duct system in good condition can be fully installed and working within 48 to 72 hours.

Cost to Install a Ventless Gas Fireplace

The cost to install a ventless gas fireplace into a wall or wall-mounted structure ranges from $200 to $1,000. Although this fireplace is ventless, ventilation is essential to remove potentially harmful smoke and fumes from the area. With additional charges for gas or propane lines, permits, and structural modifications, expect to pay $1,000 to $3,500. Vent-free fireplaces with modifications ranging from none to slight can be installed in less than 24 to 48 hours.

Installation of gas fireplaces involves industry compliance, trade certifications, and local building regulations. Expect contractor hourly rates to range from $90 to $200, varying from region to region and on the work’s complexity.

Gas Fireplace Replacement Cost

The cost to replace a gas fireplace depends on several factors. Based on a professional inspection, if the findings show good conditions, the average cost to replace the firebox unit is $500 to $3,000. Installation fees are $200 to $5,000, depending on if you are installing gas logs, an insert, and vented or ventless options. With all these variations, the overall price ranges between $700 and $8,000.

If hidden problems are discovered during the pre-work inspection, updating the system with a new firebox and gas lines can cost from $4,000 to $7,000, including installation. The most common issues with older gas fireplaces or inserts are low heat output associated with outdated venting causing heat loss. The consequences include using more fuel to heat the room.

Cost to Run a Gas Fireplace

Natural gas fireplaces are more efficient cost-wise than propane. The type of heating fuel and location influences the cost because fuel prices vary. Other factors that affect the cost of running a gas fireplace are the model, room size, and frequency of use. Most gas fireplaces run anywhere from 8,000 to 60,000 BTUs compared to wood-burning fireplaces that range from 20,000 to 40,000 BTUs.

According to the American Gas Association (AGA), household averages fall somewhere between 20,000 and 60,000 BTUs per hour to keep a room consistently warm. The U.S. Energy Information Administration cited the average household BTUs were estimated to cost slightly more than $500 for natural gas compared to propane at slightly under $1,500 during the 2020 - 2021 three-month winter season.

The cost of natural gas is priced in units per therm – equating one therm to 100,000 BTUs. As of January 2020, the average cost per hour for running a gas fireplace on natural gas using a 40,000 BTU industry cost calculation was estimated at $0.36 per hour. In October 2020, residential propane costs were $1.76 to $2.50 per gallon. Based on this price, a single propane tank could fuel a 30,000 BTU gas fireplace for 3 hours. Although propane is generally more expensive than natural gas, rural locations without access to natural gas do not have the option to choose heating fuel types.

Gas Fireplace Maintenance Cost

Gas fireplaces have significantly lower maintenance than wood-burning fireplaces, but mechanically, they require routine maintenance. According to the national average data, annual chimney inspections range between $85 to $5,000, broken into three inspection levels. The chimney size, design, damage, and the number of flues determines the final inspection cost. Some homes have up to four flues – all sharing the same chimney even though each flue is designated to a separate appliance, such as a fireplace, wood stove, or HVAC system.

Fireplace inspections are required to ensure the home’s safety. Inspectors check the firebox for damages and make sure the venting system works. Broken dampers and uncleaned chimneys can block the removal of smoke, soot, and heat, creating an unhealthy and dangerous environment.

Gas Fireplace Repair Cost

Repair cost variables include the repair level needed to keep the fireplace safe and capable of heating a room. Costs to repair a gas fireplace range from $100 to $2,000, with an average cost of between $200 and $1,000. Minor gas line repairs typically cost under $100, mostly due to pilot light malfunctions. Replacing damaged gas lines or wires can easily reach the maximum range of $2,000. Other minor costs related to chimney repairs include filling in worn mortar ⁹ joints ¹⁰, cracks, or holes that can be patched temporarily to prevent the escape of hazardous emissions.

Cost to Convert a Fireplace to Gas

Existing conditions and the type of fireplace conversion chosen influences the costs. Three options that work well for conversions are gas inserts, vented gas logs, or vent-free gas log fireplaces. Not including the fireplace unit cost, setting up the gas logs ranges from $200 to $3,000, while gas insert setups cost $2,000 to $5,000.

All conversion costs are contingent on gas accessibility to reach the fireplace and whether the existing fireplace can support a gas- burning fireplace safely. If the gas lines are not in place, the cost can easily increase, requiring a certified professional to do the work.

Most gas conversions involve an existing wood-burning fireplace. Gas lines may need to be extended to the fireplace location, which costs $10 to $20 a linear foot on average. The chimney needs to be cleaned and fully functional for a successful conversion. The purpose is to verify that the fireplace is suitable for a gas fireplace. The average cost for this type of inspection including cleaning is $175 for a level-1 inspection for 1 flue and around $450 for a level-2 inspection for 2 flues.

Cost to Convert a Gas Fireplace to Wood-Burning

Converting a gas fireplace to wood costs $100 to $1,000 for a chimney in good working condition with one to four flues. If the current gas fireplace was inserted within an existing wood-burning fireplace, the inspector must verify that it was built as a wood-burning fireplace. Chimneys equipped with a gas-venting system need to be modified to support wood-burning fireplaces using a wood-burning chimney liner. Finally, the chimney caps need to be inspected to ensure they can minimize the escape of embers.

Gas Fireplace Pros and Cons

The most notable advantage to gas fireplaces is the running cost, and in today’s market, the cost per hour is at least 50 percent lower than the cost of wood or propane fuels. Maintenance is much lower without the ongoing removal of ashes and soot. Install is easier since most gas fireplaces are prefabricated and made to fit inside an existing fireplace instead of a wood-burning fireplace requiring extensive masonry work. A distinguishing feature of a gas fireplace is the cost of gas lines, which are comparably lower than maintaining an inventory of wood.

Electric vs Gas Fireplace

The selection between electrical and gas fireplaces varies from lifestyle preferences, budget, and enjoyment. The most significant difference is the flame appearance.Electric fireplaces focus on imagery rather than heat. Gas fireplaces present flames in full color with the capacity to heat the room comfortably. Electric fireplaces cost around $700 to $2,250, while gas fireplaces range between $2,650 to $5,800.

Electric fireplaces have BTUs between 3000 to 9000 and convert the energy to heat a 400-square-foot area. The cost of operating this fireplace is low. The downside to this BTU feature is low heat output. Gas fireplace inserts or fireplace BTUs range from 40,000 to 60,000 with substantial heat output. Dollar for dollar, electric fireplaces are cheaper to operate, but homeowners have to sacrifice a few fire features, like heat output, realistic flames, and potential home value.

Wood Burning vs Gas Fireplace

Wood-burning images seem to be the universal concept of fireplaces. Starting the fire takes time for the wood to ignite. To keep that fireplace vision, a wood fire needs to be stoked and fueled with wood. Many homeowners realize that gas fireplaces offer the same ambiance with a few more benefits. A gas fireplace is easy to start, and you do not need a pile of wood to warm the room. Healthwise, gas fireplaces are the perfect solution for those with allergies to smoke or ashy smells.

A wood-burning fireplace can reach high temperatures, presenting potential flame or spark hazards. Gas fireplaces have been specifically designed to safeguard against these potential risks. They both need annual and routine inspections and incremental cleaning. Installed, a wooding-burning fireplace costs $8,500 to $22,000 due to the masonry (brickwork) work. A pre-built gas fireplace costs $2,650 to $5,800, with lower pricing associated with existing gas lines than the higher price of needing to run a gas line.

Enhancements and Improvements

Cost to Install a Chimney

Some fireplace projects need venting. Adding a chimney becomes a necessary part of the project. Enhancements can include prefabricated factory chimneys with a traditional or customized exterior appearance and efficiency ratings. Expect to pay between $3,000 and $6,000 for a masonry 30-foot tall chimney.

Mantel

Most homeowners want to make the fireplace the room’s center. Sometimes, the best fireplace installation is lost with the right enhancements. Mantels are decorative accents to the fireplace, and by selecting an upgraded design, they add value to the home. Functional mantels range from $200 to $3,000, based on the material, floor-to-ceiling designs, craftsman’s detailing, and finishes. Customizing the fireplace wall with a complementing mantle costs $10,000 for a unique design or non-standard size.

Fireplace Glass Door

Fireplace doors prevent embers and sparks from escaping since they can ignite nearby objects or injure people. Closed, they keep the drafts out of the room once the fire dies down. Door frames are typically enhancements made from steel or aluminum that can be polished or painted. Additional enhancements include clear or tinted glass in double-paned or bi-fold designs. Prices range from $200 to $2,000, depending on the size.

Fireplace Blower

Fireplace blowers ¹¹ are an added accessory designed for heat output. Sometimes, the heat from the fireplace dissipates unevenly, lowering room temperatures in certain areas. This accessory falls between a functional enhancement and fireplace improvement because it increases energy efficiency as it distributes more heat and warmth into the room. The size and quality of its performance costs $30 to $1,500.

Fireplace Flex Pipe

Flex pipe can supply natural gas to fireplaces. Flex pipes help manage the heat exhaust exit from the fireplace to the chimney or vent systems as a fireplace improvement because it is flexible and works well in small areas. The pipe itself is lightweight, designed to prevent leaks, and build with accessible connection features. Depending on the size, length, and purpose, flex pipes range from $100 to $1,500.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

² Built-in: An item of furniture, such as a bookcase or set of cabinets, that is built directly into the structure of the room. Built-ins are therefore customized to the room and not detachable

³ Flue: A duct or pipe through which exhaust gases from a fireplace, stove or boiler are released to the outdoors

⁵ Limestone: A type of sedimentary rock, made up of mostly calcite and aragonite

⁷ Slate: A fine-grained rock, typically bluish-gray in color, that can easily be split into thin layers and is commonly used as a roofing material

⁸ Propane: A hydrocarbon gas used as a common fuel source

⁹ Mortar: A mixture of Portland cement or lime or a combination of both, sand, and water used to bind bricks, stones, and concrete masonry units together

¹¹ Blowers: An accessory that makes a fireplace more efficient by circulating the warm air in the fireplace to other areas of the home