How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace?

Gas fireplaces are an attractive and energy-efficient way of heating a room in your home. Gas fireplaces are easier to install than wood-burning options and cost less to run, which makes them an excellent retrofit for homeowners who want a fireplace in a room that does not have one existing.

Adding a stone gas fireplace to a room that does not already have one costs around $6,550 for a pre-built fireplace, installation, and finish work.

Pros and cons

Gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits and positive attributes. They also have a few drawbacks, which need to be considered:

Materials

Like wood-burning fireplaces, you have many options for finishing your firebox ¹. While a pre-built box will contain the fire itself, the surround is what makes the fireplace a part of the room.

You have many options when it comes to building out the firebox. Because the box itself contains the flames, some units may be installed directly in the wall with no surround, while others may use a variety of materials such as:

Ventilation

Gas fireplaces come in two different types - direct-vent and ventless. In a direct-vent fireplace, you need to locate the fireplace on an outside wall and install a pipe or chimney to allow the byproducts of the burning gas to escape naturally. Fresh air is brought in with little risk of carbon monoxide issues.

A direct-vent fireplace restricts you when placing the fireplace and is less efficient, converting only 70% to 80% of the fuel into heat. It can also be more difficult to install because you need a vent pipe.

Ventless models can be installed anywhere because they do not vent to the outdoors. They are more efficient, converting more than 90% of the fuel to heat and are easier to install. However, because they do not vent to the outdoors, they have some drawbacks. They do not produce as many BTUs and may lower the oxygen in the room. If this happens, the fireplace is designed to shut off, but clearing the air and relighting takes time.

Gas line installation

If you already have natural gas supplied to your home, setting up the gas fireplace is simple. A T-connection will split the gas from the main line and bring it directly to the fireplace, which costs around $150 to $300. If you do not already have gas in the home, but a gas line exists nearby, you can still use a gas fireplace by running the gas line from the street for a cost between $300 and $800.

Energy-efficiency

Gas fireplaces are considered very energy-efficient, allowing you to lower the heat from your HVAC system and heat the room you are in using the gas fireplace. How efficient they are depends largely on the model chosen.

Direct-vent models are slightly less-efficient, converting up to 80% of the fuel they use to heat. Ventless systems are more-efficient, converting up to 90% of the fuel to heat, but producing fewer BTUs overall.

Labor

The labor costs of a gas fireplace installation vary widely depending on several factors. Direct-vent models cost more to install because a vent pipe needs to be added. If you do not currently have a gas line to the home, then the cost of hooking up the unit will also be higher.

Using a built-in ² unit as opposed to an insert also results in higher costs. The average costs associated with installing a gas fireplace include $600 for the firebox installation, $750 for the vent pipe, $2,750 for the full installation and finishing work, and between $150 and $800 for the gas line, depending on how far it needs to run.

Maintenance

Gas fireplaces have significantly lower maintenance than wood-burning fireplaces, but they still have some level of care. The vent pipe and gas lines should be inspected annually, and the vent pipe may also require yearly to every other year cleaning, depending on the amount of use and how much byproduct is released.

Because producing flames from gas creates clean energy, there is no soot to clean up or logs to gather and dispose of. Other than simple inspections and cleaning, no other significant maintenance is required.

Gas-burning inserts

If you have an existing wood-burning fireplace, it is simple to convert to gas by installing a gas-burning insert. These inserts cost considerably less to install than a full, built-in gas fireplace, and they are more efficient and easier-to-use and maintain than a wood-burning fireplace.

Because the entire insert is ready to go, and you can use your existing chimney, you pay less for the finish work, box installation, and vent pipe. You still have associated costs with running the gas line, however.

But fireplace inserts are not always inexpensive. While faster and easier-to-install, the units themselves sometimes cost as much as an entire gas fireplace, with prices starting around $2,000 for the unit, and installation costs running additional $1,000 to $2,000.

Gas vs wood-burning vs electric fireplace

Gas fireplaces and inserts are not the only option for installing a fireplace in your home. Wood-burning and electric fireplaces are also options to consider:

Enhancement and improvements

Not every gas fireplace installation is the same. There are many other improvements and enhancements you may want to consider adding to the design, which can impact the scope of the project.

Adding a chimney

A real chimney can enhance the curb appeal of your home. While not required for a gas fireplace, some homeowners may still want to add one. This increases the cost of the project by $60 to $95 a linear foot of chimney added.

Faux logs

Faux logs are an option some people consider to enhance the appearance of the flames. Keep in mind that they must be kept clean and increase the maintenance of the fireplace. They add $100 to $400 to the cost.

Mantel

A mantel ³ helps frame the fireplace and enhance its appearance. Mantels can be made of many materials, including wood and stone, and can add anywhere from $500 to $5,000 to the cost of the installation.

Enclosures

Most gas fireplaces have glass doors, but in some cases, they need to be added separately. If this is the case, expect to pay an additional $300 to $500.

Blower and fan

Adding a blower ⁴ and fan to your fireplace helps the heat circulate more quickly, warming up the room faster. Usually added at the time of installation, this increases the costs by about $100.

Additional considerations and costs

• Gas fireplaces produce a lot of heat, and the glass on the doors can reach temperatures of 400ºF. After the fireplace is turned off, it takes about 45 minutes to cool down enough to touch. For this reason, a childproof safety screen should be installed if there are young children in the house.
• Gas fireplaces are more environmentally friendly than wood-burning fireplaces. They convert most of their energy to heat and emit up to 99% fewer byproducts than wood-burning fires.
• Adding any built-in fireplace to a home that does not have one existing will increase your home’s resale value.
• It is possible to convert an existing wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace either through an insert or a custom build.
• Because of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the depletion of oxygen in the room, many U.S. states do not allow ventless gas fireplace installations. Check with your state and local laws before installing.
• Gas fireplaces can be installed nearly anywhere in the home, although direct-vent fireplaces need an exterior wall.
• Gas fireplaces can also be installed outdoors as an alternative to a firepit.

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 Mantel: A decorative construction that frames the opening of a fireplace. The term "mantel" can also refer to a shelf above a fireplace

⁴ Blower: An accessory that makes a fireplace more efficient by circulating the warm air in the fireplace to other areas of the home