How to Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert | This Old House

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to dramatically increase the heat output of a wood-burning fireplace. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)

Richard and a local contractor help a homeowner by installing an energy efficient wood-burning fireplace insert. Installation steps included installing a new stainless steel chimney liner and connecting electrical power for the unit.

Shopping List for How to Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert:

Tools for How to Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert:

Fireplace insert installed by Raby's Hearth & More.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert | This Old House

[slyqiqc]

These tools are all so project they show use such amazing tools!!!

[trav]

Video is awesome for the age it is. Learning this trade right now while learning some gas line & framing work that goes along with this work sometimes. Love it so far!

[johnnylawrence]

Where's the follow up video of how that outlet and chord behind the firebox melted😂

[beebob]

I put an osborne insert in my place 25 years ago. Still runs great.
I'd like to see a gravity fed rocket stove install and firing. These are being used today to burn pellets, waste wood products, etc. The burn time isn't as good as a wood burner but they are cleaner

[benalterowitz]

i have an older buck stove it is gas fired and free standing. there is a sensor on the
back of it. it is a model 60. what is the sensor for and how do you wire up the 2
black 16 gauge wires ?

[womenswellness]

How is the electric cord protected from the heat put off by the stove?

Am going to be getting a free wood stove insert -it will just fit - (tho now worry about 2-3 inch? access (top arch's) to connecting insert to flue) also wonder on how to get this thing insulated (is a 1979 house fireplace) It even frosts at the back wall in winter

[justinlichtler]

I really like the stack liner and the insert . Is there anyway you could give me product info?

[denisdugan]

I was wondering if the process is the same if you have a non masonary chimney? Can you give me some advice on how to put an insert into a non masonary chimney? I'm prepared to rip out the old wood fireplace(its too small) and re-frame the existing space with mantle cabinets etc...

[rfjohns]

I'm considering an insert. But I don't want to destroy the stonework. Are there any that will install on uneven stonework without having to destroy it?

[-M.S.G-]

I’m moving soon and my new house has a fireplace!! I probably won’t use it tho lol

[aaronjacobs]

Why do you need a new liner for the chimney? I thought that was the chimney's job? Why not have a stub pipe that vents through the dampener then daylights direct to the chimney?

[Sheepshit]

Can you just add an insert into a box you build around if and add a vented system like you would a wood burning stove? Or does a wood burning insert have to go into an existing fireplace?

[maryproudamerican]

But what about the large opening where the flue was? The new chimney pipe was only filing part of that space. Wouldn't that bring in a lot of cold air? Or does the facing of the insert fireplace have insulation on it to keep cold out?

[greatamerica]

Won't the heat from the insert damage the electrical outlet behind the wood burning stove

[josephquaile]

whats the name of the company, who's installing that Jotal insert? anybody? Plus, I love that pre insulated liner, but I hate that its all light flex. that stuff can be a pain to work with.

[watrdog]

Nice install. I have a wood stove insert as well and I am looking for a proper how to on sweeping the chimney. How would I properly remove the swept soot from sweeping above the fire box? Do I need to remove my insert? I have an extremely tight work space to access the vent pipe connection.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

[mlbd]

Silly question - with the cap stuck on with the silicone, and this flexible flue - how in the world does a person clean it?

[boedillard]

I get that this is an in place upgrade. Surely, if someone was building a new home and planned a fireplace insert - they'd have options to make the chimney far less of a problem for heat loss. Make it so it could be turned into a regular chimney but fully insulated initially, designed for a fireplace insert.

[jessepoopoo]

Do you plug up the open space since you got rid of the damper? If so how.