How Much Does a Fireplace Insert Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $700 - $6,500
Installing a fireplace insert costs $3,600 on average. Prices commonly range from $700 to $6,500, depending on the type of insert and labor.
A fireplace insert costs between $700 and $6,500 on average and depends on the type of insert you choose. This project rarely costs more than $8,000.
- Average
- $3,600
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $8,000
As the weather gets cold, you may want a cheerful fire crackling in your fireplace to cozy up to on those long winter nights. But you might find it’s not so convenient—it can get messy dragging wood logs into your home, not to mention that a lot of the heat is going straight up the chimney. If you want to get the most out of your fireplace and start it up with just a push of a button, it might be time for you to learn how to install a fireplace insert—or hire a pro to do it. Here are the fireplace insert cost factors to know before installing.
Fireplace Insert Installation Cost Factors
The cost to install a fireplace insert depends on your home layout, current fireplace setup, and your fireplace insert preferences. With proper installation, fireplace inserts offer multiple benefits over a traditional fireplace, and a fireplace contractor and installer near you can help you get the job done.
Here is a breakdown of the main factors that determine the final cost.
Size
The fireplace inserts come in different sizes depending on the size of the area you need to heat up. The bigger the size of the insert, the more it costs.
An 18-inch fireplace insert that can heat an area of 100 square feet or less costs $500, while a 36-inch insert that can heat up to 2,000 square feet costs up to $2,000.
Type
Fireplace inserts have different installation protocols depending on the type. The type of fireplace insert plays a major role in the final price. The following is a list of average cost ranges for each fireplace insert type:
| Type of Fireplace Insert | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas | $700–$1,000 |
| Electric | $500–$2,000 |
| Wood | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Pellet | $2,000–$3,000 |
Labor
The labor cost to install a fireplace insert depends on what it’s powered by: wood, propane, pellets, or electricity. Some inserts cost more than others, such as wood-burning or gas inserts. Wood-burning or gas inserts require hook-ups to the chimney or utility lines. Here’s the different labor cost to install each type of fireplace insert:
| Type of Fireplace Insert | Labor Cost |
|---|---|
| Wood-Burning | $2,200 |
| Gas | $1,500 |
| Pallets | $500 |
| Electric | $200 |
Gas or Electric Lines Added
When installing your new insert, you may have to pay extra expenses to connect electric and gas lines, as well as clean and complete any necessary repairs to your wood-burning fireplace system to prepare for the insert. Because you’re using one or more fuel sources, you’ll need to ensure everything is up to the local building code and work with a licensed pro.
Keep an extra $200 to $1,000 in your budget for any unexpected work and to cover these additional costs that may come up.
Heating Needs
In short, the bigger the space, the more powerful of a fireplace insert you may need (and the more expensive the insert gets). Fireplaces measure their heat output in British thermal unit (BTUs) or kilowatts (kWs), but you’ll also want to consider their overall heat “efficiency”. Heat efficiency is how much heat an insert produces divided by the amount of heat is wasted (from going up the chimney). The manufacturer will typically have all of this information in the product specifications of the insert you’re looking at.
One way to get by with purchasing a lower power insert is to consider how much of the room you really need heated. If your fireplace is in an open concept house, you may only need the surrounding area heated versus the entire first floor.
Special Features
If you’re opting for an electric or gas fireplace insert, many today come with new technology to mimic the features of a wood burning fireplace. There are new features like adjustable flame colors, faux logs and rocks, and even “crackling” sounds to recreate the feel of a wood fireplace. There are also safety controls like dimmers, automatic shutoffs, timers, and oxygen detection.
Ongoing Costs
No matter what kind of fireplace insert you have, there will be a couple of important ongoing expenses to keep in mind as you calculate your budget for the project.
Fuel source: If you have a wood-burning insert, make sure you have a reliable place to source wood from. If you don’t fancy yourself a lumberjack, you’ll have to pay someone for wood. One cord of wood costs $300 on average, which should last you eight to 12 weeks.
Utility costs: If you have a gas or electric insert, you’ll be paying money each month to keep the flames alight. Research utility costs in your area to calculate how much you’ll spend in electricity or gas bills. The average cost for natural gas across the country is around $13 per month, and electric costs around $137 per month.
Maintenance: Though not as intensive as a standard fireplace, maintenance needs still exist for inserts. Wood-burning inserts require the most maintenance. Plan to buy a dry wire brush and ash scoop and keep baking soda in the house.
Installing a Fireplace Insert Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
While fireplace inserts may seem easy to install (especially if they are pre-built), you’ll want to consider hiring a licensed fireplace installer to take care of the installation of your fireplace. A pro will correctly install the insert, make any necessary structural adjustments to your home, hook up your fireplace to the gas and electricity lines, and ensure everything’s code-compliant.
Ways to Save Money While Installing a Fireplace Insert
Installing an insert is the most cost effective way to upgrade your fireplace as you’re using your existing fireplace system. But if you’re looking for shave off some dollars, here are some cost saving corners you can cut:
Think small: Go with a smaller insert, both in size and heating capacity, which will overall lower your costs on the insert itself.
Stick with the same heat source: You’ll save money if you’re not converting your fireplace to a new heat source (like electric to gas, or the reverse).
Minimize special features: Opt for more standard accessories or features that some pre-fabricated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fireplace inserts are essentially wood, gas, or electric stoves designed to fit into an existing masonry fireplace. People opt to install inserts because traditional fireplaces can lose a lot of heat, require more maintenance, and may impact indoor air quality. A fireplace insert installer near you can help you decide which brand and size fit your home.
Installing a fireplace insert can get you more heat without replacing the whole fireplace and chimney. Other benefits include their convenience (you can turn them on and off with a simple flip of a switch), safety (most models have built-in sensors that will turn off the fireplace if they detect carbon monoxide), a modern aesthetic, and superior energy efficiency.
Some people prefer the traditional look of a classic fireplace over modern fireplace inserts, potentially making their aesthetic a disadvantage, though this isn’t true for everyone. Additionally, if you’re moving into a house with an insert and don’t have the specific fuel requirements, the insert will be pretty much useless. Though fireplace inserts are less maintenance than standard fireplaces, they still require consistent cleaning.
Fireplace inserts can increase home value when installed correctly. Since they improve heating efficiency significantly, this will be a bonus to homeowners who are looking for a functional alternative heat source. Plus, inserts are less maintenance and less of a liability than a traditional fireplace. You’re very likely to recover fireplace insert installation costs when you sell your home.
Wood fireplace inserts produce more heat without replacing the whole system. A fireplace installer can verify that you have a connector and chimney system to fit the wood-burning insert.
Gas fireplace inserts require less maintenance and are an efficient way to produce warmth. Some can also produce heat in the event of a power outage.
Electric fireplace inserts don't have a real open flame, so they produce flames that mimic a real fire surrounded by artificial logs with LED light. Many electric fireplace inserts produce heat from glowing elements while only using electricity.