Find Out How Fireplace Inserts Can Make Your Existing Fireplace More Beautiful And Efficient

There’s nothing quite like a real wood fire in a masonry fireplace. During the cold winters in Billings, MT, homeowners like you rely on their fireplaces as an additional heat source and add a cozy ambiance to your living space.

However, your existing fireplace in your Billings home may not function as well as it could be. Old-fashioned fireplaces tend to have cracks and leaks that cause heat to escape your home.

Outdated fireplaces can generate high levels of toxins and smoke that can seep into your home, causing a hazard to your loved ones.

Suppose you’re looking to upgrade your current fireplace but don’t want the hassle of extensive home renovations. In that case, a high-quality fireplace insert will transform your existing fireplace into a beautiful, energy-efficient heat source that will keep your space comfortable and warm.

Fireplace inserts are perfect for homeowners looking to cut energy costs while maintaining a luxurious aesthetic. Let’s look at what a fireplace insert is, what types are best for your home, and the benefits of installing a fireplace insert in your existing fireplace.

What Is A Fireplace Insert?

A fireplace insert is a fireproof box surrounded by cast iron or steel and enclosed in insulated glass doors. This creates a closed combustion system that can easily slide into any fireplace opening.

They transform your open fireplace into a closed firebox with glass doors and cast iron doors to make your fireplace more efficient.

Fireplace inserts can be installed near combustible materials, like drywall and wood, so they are great for any room of your home.

Most homeowners install fireplace inserts in the firebox of their masonry fireplace. The steel or cast iron doors retain heat well, meaning they will give off heat even when the fire dies out.

Some models have high-powered blowers that release hot air into the living space, making it an excellent supplemental heating source.

There are many different types of fireplace inserts on the market, so which one is best for your home? Let’s find out.

Which Type Of Fireplace Insert Is Best For My Home?

Fireplace inserts are a great way to turn an underperforming fireplace into an energy-efficient heat source.

But choosing between gas stoves and a wood-burning stove is a challenge, especially if you are unsure which type of fireplace insert is right for your home.

Let’s look at some key features of each fuel type to help you determine which model will enhance your existing fireplace.

Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert

A wood stove insert will allow you to burn logs as you would in a masonry fireplace. They vent through your home’s existing chimney and flue without additional ductwork.

Wood-burning inserts can heat 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft, depending on their size. They will burn for about three to five hours before you’ll need to add more wood to keep the fire going. Larger stores will have a longer burn time.

Suppose you don’t mind stocking wood piles and putting in the work to clean them. In that case, wood stove inserts are a great alternative to a drafty, inefficient masonry fireplace without having to redo your entire chimney system.

Gas Fireplace Insert

A gas fireplace insert uses natural gas or propane to fuel a cozy fire. Since they don’t use wood, there’s no ash to clean, making it much lower maintenance than their wood-burning counterparts.

Gas fireplace inserts also offer high BTU counts and can burn for extended periods without replenishing the fuel source.

This makes high-efficiency gas fireplace inserts an excellent option for homeowners in cold climates looking to lower heating costs and keep their homes comfortable on the chilliest of days.

They also require less maintenance, making it the right choice for homeowners who want to spend less time maintaining their fireplace and more time doing what they love.

Pellet Stove Insert

A pellet stove is a lot like a wood stove. It burns wood to generate heat. However, instead of burning wood logs, pellet stoves use small, pounded wood pellets to maintain the flames.

A high-efficiency pellet stove can run for 24 hours on a 40-pound bag of pellets to maintain a heating area of up to 1,500 square feet.

This clean-burning fireplace insert is an excellent choice for homeowners who enjoy a real wood fire but want a longer burn time.

Now that you know the difference between the three most popular fireplace inserts, it’s time to learn the benefits of having one installed in your home.

5 Benefits Of Installing A Fireplace Insert

Your fireplace is the centerpiece of your living room or outdoor living space. It’s where your family gathers to make memories, and you relax after a long day of work.

So if you enjoy your existing fireplace but worry it’s not heating your home as efficiently as it should, a fireplace insert is the solution.

Let’s look at the five benefits of installing a fireplace insert in your home before the next heating season.

1. Lower Home Heating Costs

We’ve all been there. You open our home heating bill only to be shocked by how much it costs to keep the house warm and cozy.

Homeowners are always looking for ways to reduce utility costs during the coldest months of winter. And the fact is your existing fireplace is not performing as it should.

Also, masonry fireplaces are subject to cracks that let in ice-cold drafts, making your other heating sources work overtime and causing your energy bill to skyrocket.

A new fireplace insert will instantly increase the heat output of your fireplace, allowing your furnace to take a break.

Fireplace inserts use real wood, natural gas, propane, or pellets, which cost less than other fuel choices like electric or oil. This means you will pay less on all fronts to heat your home, putting more money in your pocket to spend on other home improvements.

2. Stylish Options To Elevate Your Space

Fireplace inserts are more than just prefab energy-efficient utilities. They can instantly elevate your space and blend seamlessly with your existing home style.

When you customize your fireplace insert, you can choose from a variety of options to make it uniquely yours, such as:

• A brass, steel, or cast iron faceplate
• Intricate grills
• Attractive gas log sets
• Beautiful fire glass

Custom fireplace design allows you to make the fireplace insert of your dream a reality. And because an updated fireplace adds value to your home, investing in a customized fireplace inset will be a worthy investment.

3. Fewer Emissions In Your Home

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 65%, or 6.5 million, of the fireplaces in the US are older, less efficient models. This means that there is a good chance that your existing fireplace does not meet the most current EPA guidelines for fireplace emissions.

And with carbon monoxide a dangerous byproduct of any fireplace, it’s crucial that you update your existing fireplace to ensure your family is safe and your fireplace meets the most up-to-date EPA recommendations.

Because fireplace inserts transform your open fireplace into a sealed firebox, they instantly cut the number of emissions leaking into your home and the environment. This will lower your carbon footprint and keep your family safe.

Regular fireplace maintenance and functioning carbon monoxide detectors are a must for any home to prevent emissions from putting your family at risk.

4. Easy Installation

An insert makes fireplace installation a breeze.

Once you choose the suitable model for your home, an experienced fireplace technician will come to your home to do the measurements to ensure the fireplace insert will fit properly.

They will inspect the area where the fireplace insert will be installed and take notes to use on installation day.

Your new fireplace insert will typically be installed in less than half a day’s work, meaning you won’t have to be without a cozy fire in your living space for long. You’ll see a difference in your home’s temperature in no time.

5. Lower Renovation Costs

It’s no secret that home renovations are both time-consuming and costly. If you were to renovate your outdated fireplace completely, you could be looking at weeks without that additional heat source.

Installing a brand new fireplace insert costs a fraction of the money it would take to make your home’s existing fireplace energy-efficient and draft free.

This means you can upgrade your space at a minimum cost for maximum efficiency and impact. And with many warranty options, you can rest assured that your investment will be protected in case something should go wrong, so you’ll never be without a cozy fire.

R & T Services Can Help You Choose, Install, And Maintain Your New Fireplace Insert

For over 30 years, R & T Services has been helping the homeowners of Billings, Montana keep their homes comfortable in any season.

Our expert fireplace technicians can assist you with designing, installing, and maintaining your brand-new fireplace insert.

Contact us today for more information on how a fireplace insert can make your existing fireplace more efficient, stylish, and environmentally friendly.