Everyone enjoys their fireplace for different reasons. Fireplace enthusiasts appreciate the warmth and aesthetics a fireplace provides, while others may prefer the look and feel of a fire.
Unfortunately, a traditional wood-burning fireplace requires lots of work, including routine maintenance. If you find yourself wanting the ambiance of a real flame, but want to avoid the hassle, consider converting to an electric fireplace.
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Is it possible to convert a fireplace to electric?
Is it possible to convert a traditional wood fireplace to an electric one? Yes, and it may be easier and more affordable than you think. If you want warmth, safety, and convenience without sacrificing the beautiful look of a conventional fireplace, an electric conversion may be the answer.
A wall-mount electric fireplace insert that can be installed into your fireplace will give you the ambiance of a real wood-burning fire that you want and an authentic-looking glow combined with the warmth of a high-grade heater. The heat it provides can work along with your current HVAC system to keep you comfortable all winter long.
Benefits of a conversion
Converting to an electric fireplace has many benefits. An electric fireplace unit is cost-effective and easy to operate.
Your electric conversion will be perfect for heating specific areas of the home, and the quiet fan helps distribute that heat evenly. You can also rest assured that there are no flames that can cause injury to small children or pets. The convenience continues with the ability to operate your new electric fireplace with your smartphone (no need for another daily remote control) on many models such as those from MagikFlame.
How difficult is the conversion?
Electric fireplaces don’t give off any toxic byproducts like carbon monoxide or any smoke from real flames. This means that no chimney, direct vent, or venting is required for installation, and you don’t have to worry about the hassle of local building codes and zoning. They don’t have a real flame, so they are quite easy to install within your existing fireplace.
Today’s modern electric fireplace inserts fit nicely into your fireplace opening. There is no need to drill holes into the brick, and you won’t have any deconstruction or reconstruction labor fees to deal with. Electric firebox inserts come from the factory ready to use.
All you need to do is remove the grate from your wood-burning fireplace and clean out the old wood and ashes. Once it is clean and ready, simply slide your electric insert into the firebox. Plug the unit in, and you are ready to sit back and enjoy your new fireplace. For an example, see the MagikFlame 28-inch electric fireplace insert.
How much does it cost to convert the fireplace to an electric one?
Your traditional fireplace that burns wood or uses gas logs can be converted to an electric fireplace for a labor charge of roughly $150 to $200 if you hire a professional to do the work for you. This is in addition to the cost of the electric insert.
The average price of one of these inserts ranges from $110 to $1,035. This is an average and can vary by model or manufacturer. Look for specials and promotions to save money. If you do not already have an electrical outlet nearby where you can plug in the unit, you will have to have a new outlet installed; this can run about $200 to $750.
When asked how much to convert a fireplace to electric, one has to look beyond the initial costs. The money an electric unit saves you, in the long run, can help justify your initial investment.
Consider the maintenance costs of your existing fireplace. Electric versions won’t require yearly maintenance like a chimney sweep to clean the chimney and flue. You also won’t need to worry about cutting, buying, or storing wood as you do with a traditional wood-burning fireplace or wood stove.
Converting your old wood-burning fireplace to an electric fireplace also saves you time and money over having a natural gas fireplace. Again, there is no maintenance. You won’t have gas logs, a gas line, or propane to worry about, and you will never have to fuss over keeping a pilot light going.
Homeowners enjoy energy-efficient electric fireplaces as well. They use anywhere from 5,200 to 8,900 BTUs. They convert all of their energy into heat. This means you are only paying an average of $25 per year to operate the unit. Compare this to a gas insert fireplace that requires 7,000 to 16,000 BTUs. Gas units are only 70% to 90% efficient when it comes to converting energy into heat. This costs approximately $60 per year to operate.
Does it make sense to convert it to an electric fireplace?
Knowing how much to convert a fireplace to electric helps you decide when it comes to expenses, but does it really make sense to do the conversion? Electricity is an easy alternative if you already have an existing mantel and conventional fireplace. Keep in mind that you will still be able to enjoy all of the warmth the electric fireplace produces. Wood-burning fireplaces tend to lose the majority of the heat through the chimney. You also have to sit close by, while electric units include fans that distribute the heat evenly throughout the living room.
Electric provides you with a couple of options to pick from when converting. Save money by purchasing an electric fireplace
Now that we have discussed converting the existing fireplace you have into an electric one with an insert, we will look at buying a freestanding electric fireplace, complete with a mantel and surround, versus converting your wood or gas fireplace. It may make more sense for your individual needs.
Electric fireplaces come in a variety of sizes and styles, and it is the perfect solution if you don’t have a working fireplace in your home already. Even if you do, these electric fireplaces are ideal for recreating that warmth and glow in other rooms such as a dining room or bedroom.
Installation
These ventless fireplaces simply plug into the wall outlet. You can place them anywhere you like in your room as long as it is near an outlet. If you decide to move it, all you have to do is unplug it, relocate it, and plug it back in. You will also save on fireplace installation costs. It is truly a DIY project.
Maintenance
It will last you for many years to come. There are no parts to corrode, break, or wear out when you aren’t dealing with having a vent, gas lines, or chimneys and a flue. Typical electric fireplaces use mylar, mirrors, and LED lights to create the look of a real flame. There are no combustible fuels involved. You will be able to appreciate the appearance of a real fire without worrying about harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or the smell of smoke. It is ideal for those with allergies or asthma, and the flames won’t get hot, so there is no risk of burns.
Heat
We can’t forget the real reason to have a fireplace or fireplace insert in your home. They are an excellent heat source. Most electric fireplaces offer on-demand zone heating. This means you can turn it on or off. Many people like this feature because they can have the look of real flames any time they want, even in the warmer months, without getting overheated. The typical electric heater will have a high, medium, and low setting. Some will even come with a thermostat you can set for an even heating experience.
Electric fireplaces will heat anywhere from 400 to 1,000 square feet. There are two types available. This includes fan-forced coil heaters and high-end infrared heaters.
A fan-forced coil heater is great for small rooms. These heaters can support between 400 and 500 square feet. The simple design is easy to produce, which keeps the cost down. Fan-forced coil heaters are standard.
High-end electric infrared fireplace heaters are also referred to as radiant heaters. One of the benefits includes efficiency while warming an area up to 1,000 square feet compared to the fan-forced coil heater. They work much like the sun. More specifically, they emit a UV light that warms up a space. This creates a natural feel of heat without drying out the air.
MagikFlame Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
Your experience is further enhanced with the sound of a crackling fire for a genuinely authentic experience. MagikFlame has thought of everything. You can even use a scent module to recreate the scent of fresh-cut pine.
No venting required
The MagikFlame electric fireplace does not need a chimney or other type of vent. This is because there are no actual flames involved. Without the real flames, there is no smoke. As an added benefit, this means that your electric fireplace from MagikFlame will provide you with better air quality than any other type of fireplace. You won’t have any harmful fumes escaping. If you or a family member suffers from any kind of breathing issue such as asthma or allergies, this could be the perfect solution when it comes to enjoying the look and feel of a cozy fire.
Exactly how MagikFlame provides the look of flames
Not all electric fireplaces are the same. Some offer a cheap look to their electric log set that immediately shouts fake. MagikFlame’s realistic flames are created with the use of video of actual fire and patented holographic technology. These components work together to project beautiful lifelike flames onto a real log set for a beautiful flame that will fool you and your guests into believing it is real.
Some electric fireplaces use water or even a steam-based method to create their flame effects. They rely on burning gels or other fuels for the same look. MagikFlame’s methods do not rely on anything actually burning. The entire unit remains cool to the touch. You won’t have to worry about toddlers playing near the fireplace, which makes these fireplaces the perfect solution for families.
MagikFlame cost
Finding a fireplace solution that fits your budget is important. MagikFlame allows you to have a beautiful fireplace that will instantly be the focal point of any room without draining your bank account. Compared to how much to convert a fireplace to an electric one, buying a freestanding electric fireplace is quite affordable.
Without routine maintenance costs, the expense of replenishing a fuel source, or replacing parts as they corrode and age, your MagikFlame will easily fit into your home’s operating costs. While it does require electricity to work, the average cost of using it throughout the year is quite reasonable. Use the MagikFlame cost calculator utility to help determine annual operation costs.
MagikFlame heat
While the look and sound of an authentic fire are important when buying an electric fireplace, you can’t forget the real reason for a fireplace. Electric, gas, or wood burning, your fireplace is a great source of heat. Whether you need it to heat an extra room or simply want to give your current heating system a little boost, the heat your electric fireplace provides is important.
MagikFlame understands that the cozy feel of a fire is just as important as the look of the flame. Your MagikFlame electric fireplace comes with a built-in 5,200 BTU heater.
How to Convert a Wood-Burning Fireplace to Electric, Step by Step
Preparing for the Conversion
Knowing how to turn a wood-burning fireplace into an electric one will require a bit of preparation to ensure that the entire process is safer and less costly. You will need to know the existing fireplace structure and how it has been designed and constructed. This means studying it closely and observing its structure to identify the areas that might prove to be problematic for you. The preparation is also important as it shortens the time taken to accomplish some of the conversion process procedures. As you consider doing the upgrade, you should be ready to do some background work. This also enables you to find out the amount of work that is going to be involved in the conversion process and weigh the options that you have.
Suppose you feel that the work that is going to be involved in the conversion is going to be too tedious. In that case, you can always think of other alternatives, such as purchasing a new electric fireplace and installing it separately. You might find the cost to be significantly lower for the new fireplace than the much work and time that it will cost you for the conversion process.
Dimensions are an essential aspect of the conversion process, and you will be required to have all the necessary numbers to guide you. Using a measuring tape, measure out the existing firebox dimensions and note down all the measurements. All these dimensions will factor into knowing whether you can slip in the new electric-fireplace insert into the current space. You also know if you will be required to modify the structure to accommodate the latest electric fireplace.
Measurements are also used to ensure that you do not spend too much time on trial and error but instead go directly for the replacement. It will need you to have these measurements with you even as you undertake the other steps and procedures in the upgrade process. This will ensure that you know if you will need more space. You can always organize ways of breaking down the wall to create new space or carve out some margins in the existing cavity.
Removing the Existing Grate
Get the grate from the existing wood fireplace. This will require a bit of work, and the grate will need to be first loosened before you can remove it from the fireplace. The existing fireplace opening will be where the new electric insert is placed. This can be done using a crowbar or some other metal piece that you can easily insert into the space between the grate and the wall or the fireplace’s sides. With a little effort, you can have the grate removed with ease. Removing the grate is essential and the first step when turning your wood-burning fireplace into an electric one. Remember to remove any remaining bits of wood from the grate before removing the grate itself. This will be a practical way of easing the work you will have to get the grate from the wood-burning fireplace. If the task seems very difficult for you, you can always call in a friend to help you remove the grate. The help will ensure that you are well-prepared to complete the task in record time. You will also be able to shorten the time taken in the upgrade process.
Cleaning
The second but most important step in the process of converting your old wood burning fireplace into an electric fireplace is the cleaning stage. Here, you will be required to expend all your energy and effort to ensure a thoroughly clean result. All the ashes you left while you were removing the grate will need to be removed, which will require your best effort. You will also need to ensure that the ashes and other substances you clean from the wood-burning fireplace are kept safe and not left to scatter around the living room (electric fireplaces for living room do not require cleaning).
Cleanliness standards must be observed and respected while you are doing this. It is recommended to have a dustbin with a polythene bag that will not lose any of the ashes and dust you obtain from the existing fireplace. The cleaning step is also essential, and the result of all this effort should be something that you are proud of. Take the time to clean and do not miss out on any of the details.
Remember, we are not returning a wood-burning fireplace once done with the cleaning. Instead, we are replacing it with an electric fireplace. This is why you should ensure that you have cleaned out the fireplace so that there are no longer any combustible substances that are left. This will also ensure that the electric fireplace, once inserted, does not lead to fire incidents due to flammable substances being left behind due to reckless cleaning. Spending time to clean out the fireplace properly also ensures that you do not have to do this again. The electric fireplace insert finds an ideal place to be positioned.
Sealing the Vents and Chimney
When the fireplace used wood as a fuel source, most of the excessive heat and smoke went out through the ventilation and the chimney. Heat also came out through the wood-burning fireplace openings into the room. However, the upgrade process will no longer require these features of the fireplace. A chimney sweep will be necessary to rid your fireplace of all the soot accumulated on it while you are using the wood-burning fireplace. The venting should also be cleaned out and if you no longer require these features, take the necessary steps to seal them off completely.
A wood fire is hotter and needs the chimney and venting, but the recent introduction will not need these. Seal the flue to ensure that moisture does not find its way back to your new electrical fireplace and bring about damage. A chimney is known to be a damper to the new electric fireplace, and a blower can help ensure that it is spotless. If you are familiar with turning a wood-burning fireplace into an electric, you also know that water is not suitable for the electric fireplace. As such, you must ensure that you have sealed off all the vents, flue, and chimney openings before you can install the new fireplace.
Install the Electric Fireplace Insert
This is the final step in our upgrade process but one of the most important. It determines whether we have been successful in our adventure or we have flopped. You can use the measurements you had taken before preparing the wood-burning or gas burning fireplace for a replacement to determine the amount of space that the new electric fireplace will occupy. You will also use this to decide whether you will need some adjustments before you can finally insert the electric fireplace. If space is not enough, you can make some adjustments to ensure that your fireplace can accommodate the new electric insert comfortably. This can be as simple as removing some of the sides or as complicated as carving out the additional space into the wall. Luckily most of the electric fireplaces are reasonably sized and will not require you to make any extra space. They can take up the same room as the wood-burning fireplace, and whenever you are doing the upgrade, you get to enjoy an easy transition.
Slide the electric insert into place and ensure that it is firmly fixed. In case you need to screw any of the edges or corners into place, you can do so at this stage using a screwdriver. This will be important to ensure that the structure you are installing into place is firm enough and does not keep moving about. Securing the fireplace is also essential as it ensures that the possibility of accidents is reduced, and your fireplace can operate under safe conditions. You will need to be very careful at this stage to ensure that you do not leave any section of the electric fireplace loose or moving.
Connect to a Source of Power
The electrical connection is the final and most crucial step as you learn how to turn a wood-burning fireplace into an electric one, especially since electric fireplaces do not require a natural gas connection. Only plug in the electric fireplace into a circuit to avoid overloading it and do not use an extension cord. The extension cord is not as safe for use as the direct plugging into the wall. As you consider making the upgrade, you should also be ready to make some space or allowance for getting power quickly from the electrical outlet. The power supply should never be interrupted at any moment, and it should also be safe in such a manner that no one ever gets to trip on it. This way, accidents are reduced, and the electric fireplace gets to have a reliable source of power that does not falter at any time.
Once you are done making the connection to the electrical outlet, you will then be required to seal up the entire arrangement. If the fireplace’s front needs a glass panel, this is the best time to install it and ensure that it is firmly in place. You can also add the other accessories required for the electric fireplace to work correctly, such as crystals and other essential features. The crystals are used for the virtual fire effect and make the electric fireplace’s flames look more authentic. You can also include the electric log, electric fireplace log set, fireplace log, and log insert. These should all be added once you have slid in the electric insert and connected it to a source of power. The fireplace log creates the effect of burning logs on a fire and makes the electric fireplace more visually appealing.
Test Run your Electric Fireplace
With the electrical connection complete, your installation is just about ready for anything that you need it to do for you. At this point, it is recommended that you try it out and play with the heat settings, get to see the ambiance and how the flame changes as you select a different scene. You can also try the other safety features that are usually included in most electric fireplaces, and in your DIY project, you must get to try out the remote. This ensures that you have proven that your fireplace is working as anticipated, and there is nothing wrong or missing. It also demonstrates that you have successfully made the upgrade, and your new fireplace can function properly without any problems or complications.
While you are conducting the tests, be sure to try out all the new possibilities and combinations to see how effective the fireplace is. Move a distance away from it and feel whether the heat still dissipates towards you and the possible coverage area for your electric fireplace. Try the remote control and see if it is easier to use than another type of fireplace like a gas insert depending on how a gas line would perform. This comparison can help you understand the differences between electric fireplaces and gas fireplaces, especially in terms of efficiency and ease of use.
How to Convert a Gas Fireplace to Electric
Replacing your existing fireplace with an electric fireplace insert may sound expensive, but it’s worth the perks that come with it. You will require various tools switch to an electric fireplace insert. Tools like joint pliers and pipe wrenches will help you move the fireplace.
Although it may be expensive considering the manufacturer, model, and make that you opt for, it will increase energy efficiency and introduce you to new benefits. We will get to the benefits later.
There aren’t many requirements to replace an existing fireplace with an electric unit (electric fireplace). For instance, measure the dimensions of the wall cavity where your traditional fireplace is. Then, find an electric fireplace unit with the same dimensions so it would fit.
You must remove the existing fireplace first. After that, you have to remove the gas line. Only then can you fit the electric unit inside. Here are the steps to follow:
- Completely disconnect the gas line and seal it using a safety cap. Opt for qualified services if you don’t have experience handling gas lines.
- Install a dedicated line to the new fireplace’s electric panel to run the heater. Ensure the dedicated line you use to form the electric connection is compatible with 1500 watts setting.
- Don’t assume that the shape, size, and style of the electric fireplace don’t matter. Those factors matter a lot! Due to the lack of residual heat and electric connections, you will only come across a limited style variety. Some fireplace designs support mantles. So, you can install a TV right above it!
Who Can Convert a Gas Fireplace to Electric?
Electric fireplace installation costs are around $600-$1000. If you can pay for that, you can convert your gas fireplace to an electric fireplace.
This includes the cost of manual labor, professional expertise, and materials if necessary.
Often, gas fireplaces don’t heat the house consistently. This creates hot and cold rooms in the entire house.
But, an electric fireplace insert can solve that problem.
Should I Convert My Gas Fireplace to Electric?
Converting your gas fireplace to an electric fireplace unit isn’t difficult. Plus, it brings some of the following benefits to your lifestyle:
- Easy to heat a specific part of the house through zone heating features
- Electric fireplaces are energy-efficient
- Electricity is cheaper than gas
- Chance to get custom designs and unique style variations in fireplaces
In conclusion
Converting your current wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace into an electric fireplace can be the ideal solution to many of your fireplace issues. It is an affordable option that still allows you to enjoy the look and feel of a real fire with an insert or log set. It immediately eliminates much of the maintenance that you have had to invest your time and money into. Best of all, you will have cleaner air for everyone and a safer environment for small children and pets.
Another great option is to purchase an actual electric fireplace that can replace your wood fireplace or even be used in a room that didn’t have a fireplace before. Installation is simple. You don’t need to hire an electrician. Simply plug it in and you will instantly be enjoying the warmth and beautiful appearance of real flames.
