How to Choose a Home Fireplace | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor explores the best options for home fireplaces. (See steps below.)

Steps for How to Choose a Home Fireplace:
1. Alan describes several fireplace options, including a traditional wood-burning fireplace. This should just be for ambience as it is only 15% efficient.
2. A gas log is as inefficient as a traditional wood-burning fireplace, at 15%, but requires zero cleanup.
3. A better option would be a gas-fueled insert in an existing fireplace. That runs at 70% to 80% efficiency.
4. For those without an existing fireplace, there’s a gas zero-clearance fireplace that can be built into almost any wall and will exhaust directly out of an exterior wall.
5. Alan also shows Kevin a standing gas-fueled oven. That can be placed almost anywhere and vented through an exhaust pipe.
6. A pellet stove is fueled by sawdust pellets and runs on electricity. It’s convenient for someone looking to burn wood, and more efficient than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. However, if you already have a gas option, Alan recommends you stick with gas.
7. Finally, Alan shows Kevin several electric fireplace options. These produce some heat but are primarily for ambience. They do not need venting.

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How to Choose a Home Fireplace | Ask This Old House

[Luna_Potato]

I know they're super inefficient but man you can't beat the smell and sound of a real wood fireplace. I have one and I build a massive fire every Christmas just to make it feel that much more special.

[tylerdunnam]

Why didn't they mention wood burning inserts with a convection blower?

[hotsauce]

amazing seller with a lot of patience and knowledge about fireplaces, congratulations for this store to have this employer

[kevkou]

getting a lot of tarantino vibes from this guy

[kylepost]

I know several people who have the electric fireplaces (i.e. glorified space heaters) and love them! Since I live in Florida there is not a lot of demand for fireplaces, but the electric ones still give the ambiance of a fire without the heat.

[edttt]

This was a great segment. His knowledge is unmatched. Small business owners know their stuff!

[Darkseid]

The gingers lack of knowledge and condescending tone.

[BoomhauerWorldwide]

Lol he said nobody uses a wood fireplace to actually heat. It did fine for centuries. 19th century homes always had at least a couple fireplaces. If you want to burn gas get a gas furnace, 90+ efficiency.

[thomasreedy]

No wood burning inserts at the time of this episode?

[TuanNguyen-kjrz]

This stove works exceedingly well and is well worth the price.

[thunderfan]

i wonder what the temperature in that store is?

[brickie]

I noticed they sell a lot of Jotul stoves. They are amazing units !!! I highly recommend them.

[BigBeef]

Propane, wood pellets, electric... Might as well just run your furnace if you’re not burning wood

[jamesr.]

Great video but you never mentioned the ventless gas fireplace option (not sure the location of where the video was produced ventless option could be against code for that location). Ventless fireplaces are 100% efficient. Besides the elevated humidity wand obvious carbon dioxide concerns what are the cons against this option?

[Galece]

He never mentioned the efficiency of the electric insert.

[lynntaylor]

I learned a lot!!! I have a 120 year old, three story house and wanted to get an understanding and find out my options! Great job!!! Appreciate what you all do!!!

[randolphgarcia]

BRIEF NOTE: IN CALIFORNIA, CHECK W/THE DEPT OF BLDG INSPECTION FIRST BEFORE ANY WORK STARTS JUST IN CASE. A ELECTRICAL PERMIT(MAYBE) MAY BE REQUIRED FIRST BEFORE ANYWORK CAN LEGALLY BEGIN. ALSO RESEARCH PRICES TOO. REMEMBER TO BE AN INFORMED CUSTOMER. USUALLY PRICES CAN BE BETWEEN $5-7 THOUSAND DOLLARS, POSSIBLY MORE, DEPENDING ON WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN.

[ghs_t]

Nice! If the house does not come with a fire place can I still install the gas fireplace during renovations?

[Lisa-vsys]

Umm, we get plenty of heat from out Fireplace. We love it s9 much.

[davidlizama]

Great video, the employee was very informative.