Transform Your Queens Home: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Between Gas and Wood Fireplace Conversions in 2024
As winter approaches in Queens, homeowners are increasingly considering fireplace conversions to enhance their home’s warmth, efficiency, and value. Converting a wood fireplace to a gas fireplace can increase your home value because they burn cleaner, provide more warmth to your living area, and are far more convenient to use, while also being more efficient and easier to use. Whether you’re looking to modernize an existing wood-burning fireplace or convert a gas unit back to wood, understanding your options is crucial for making the right choice for your Queens home.
Understanding Your Conversion Options
Queens homeowners have several conversion paths available. The average cost to convert a wood fireplace to gas ranges from $1,500 to $8,000, with gas insert conversions costing $2,000 to $5,000 and gas logs costing $300 to $2,000. The three main gas conversion options include:
- Gas Log Sets: Gas log sets offer a quick and simple way to modernize your wood fireplace, with designs that are easy to install and come in various styles to match your decor
- Gas Inserts: Traditional gas fireplace inserts fit inside existing fireplace openings and typically include decorative surrounds, which makes installation look seamless
- Complete Fireplace Replacement: Demolishing and changing a wood fireplace with a new gas fireplace costs $3,000 to $12,000 on average
Gas Fireplace Conversions: The Efficiency Champion
Gas fireplaces burn cleaner, require less maintenance, and can even save you up to 20% on heating costs. If you’re looking for an efficient and easy solution, gas inserts are a top choice. Modern gas fireplaces offer impressive efficiency ratings, with gas fireplaces burning with up to 80% efficiency rating, meaning almost no pollution, and highly efficient gas fireplaces can heat up to 1,000 square feet of living space at low cost.
The convenience factor cannot be overstated. With a gas fireplace, you’ll have the fire going instantly at the press of a button or flip of a switch, eliminating the need to haul wood, clean ash, or monitor burning logs. This makes gas conversions particularly attractive for busy Queens families who want warmth without the work.
Wood Fireplace Conversions: Embracing Tradition
While less common, some homeowners prefer converting gas fireplaces back to wood for the authentic experience. It is possible to change from gas to wood burning safely, though a professional gas to wood-burning fireplace conversion would be necessary. However, you can’t always convert a fireplace from gas to wood, as if the existing structure is in bad shape, a new installation rather than a conversion may be necessary, and if the existing chimney doesn’t pass inspection, you cannot convert your gas fireplace to wood.
Wood conversions require careful consideration of chimney condition and safety factors. The condition of the chimney flue liner or venting system is a serious consideration, as some chimneys are equipped with a gas venting system that, while sturdy enough for a gas burning unit, requires far sturdier chimney liners for wood-burning fireplaces.
Queens Regulatory Considerations for 2024
Queens homeowners must navigate specific regulations when considering fireplace conversions. New York State adopted appliance standards that set energy efficiency requirements for gas fireplaces manufactured on and after June 26, 2023, with products manufactured before this date not being in-scope of the regulations.
Additionally, as New York City and the state begin enforcing stringent new climate laws, fireplaces and wood stoves aren’t mentioned in the final rules for the city’s Local Law 97, which forces buildings to cut their carbon emissions. This regulatory landscape makes gas conversions increasingly attractive from a compliance standpoint.
Professional Installation: Why It Matters
Even if you’re confident with your DIY skills, fireplace conversion isn’t a project you should try to tackle alone. Switching between gas and wood fireplaces involves work with gas lines and other jobs that not only should be performed by certified professionals, but must be, according to local laws and regulations.
When selecting a professional for your Queens fireplace conversion, consider working with an experienced chimney company queens residents trust. Ageless Chimney, founded in 2006 by childhood friends Bobby Bruno and Sherwood Adams, exemplifies the kind of professional service you need. Ageless Chimney is a top rated chimney company, serving Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Westchester County, with great service that always begins and ends with experienced and friendly professionals, ensuring you can count on an owner to be present for every aspect of your job.
Cost Considerations and Energy Efficiency
The financial benefits of conversion extend beyond installation costs. The effect a gas fireplace has on your gas bill depends on how often you use it, the size of the rooms you’re heating, and the BTUs of the fireplace itself, but generally speaking, it should only cost a few cents an hour to run when it’s on.
For energy efficiency, electric fireplaces convert 100% of the energy into heat, whereas gas fireplaces convert 70-90% of the energy used into heat, though electric fireplaces may end up getting used more hours than a gas fireplace to generate the same amount of heat. However, gas remains the most practical option for most Queens homes with existing chimney infrastructure.
Making the Right Choice for Your Queens Home
The decision between gas and wood fireplace conversions ultimately depends on your priorities. Gas conversions offer superior convenience, efficiency, and lower maintenance, making them ideal for busy Queens families. Wood conversions appeal to those seeking authentic ambiance but require more commitment to maintenance and safety considerations.
Most wood-burning fireplaces can be converted to gas, but every situation is different, making it crucial to assess the compatibility of your current fireplace, including its size, design, and venting options, as well as the accessibility of a gas line. Professional evaluation is essential to determine the best path forward.
As 2024 progresses, Queens homeowners have more options than ever for fireplace conversions. Whether you choose the convenience of gas or the tradition of wood, working with experienced professionals ensures your conversion meets all safety requirements while delivering the warmth and ambiance you desire. The key is understanding your home’s specific needs, local regulations, and long-term maintenance preferences to make the choice that best serves your family for years to come.