5 Best Fireplace Inserts to Get Now as Alternatives to Traditional Fireplaces
These new fireplace inserts combine traditional and modernity together.
A fireplace is a great home feature to have. In addition, it is an important feature to add additional heat to the living room in winter. Its traditional open masonry style is attractive and nostalgic. But what if it doesn’t work anymore and you don’t want to renovate it? Or you are looking for a more efficient and modern-looking fireplace, but unsure of which fireplace alternatives you should choose. You are not alone.
We want better alternatives that are more efficient, look stylish, suit our home style, and are eco-friendly than a traditional fireplace. But we are wondering which one is suitable for us. In this post, I list five fireplace inserts to get as alternatives to traditional open-hearth wood-burning fireplaces.
Table of Contents
- Electric Fireplace Insert
- Alcohol or Bioethanol Fireplace Insert
- Pellet Stove
- Propane Fireplace Insert
- Natural Gas Fireplace Insert
- Bottom Line: Which One is The Best Fireplace Inserts
1. Electric Fireplace Insert
1.1. Why should you consider electric fireplace insert
It is the most convenient fireplace insert. The portability, modern-looking style, plug-and-use feature, and no waste like wood ashes are desirable traits for homeowners. Even though it doesn’t produce any real flame, it comes with interactive elements like LED lights, the sound of burning wood, or holographic flame. Making it a capable alternative to mimic a real flame, especially in some of its high-end models.
It uses electricity as the energy source and converts it to heat. The uses of electricity rather than wood or natural gas make an electric fireplace insert an eco-friendly choice. It is a highly efficient way to heat the room because it converts all of the electricity to heat.
1.2. What is the downside of electric fireplace insert
It heats the room well but it may not heat the room as efficiently as a gas fireplace insert, especially if you have a larger room or harsh winter in your location. In addition, it requires more time to heat a cold room from scratch.
The main concern of electric fireplace inserts is the electricity bills when used for extended periods as the most common fireplace draws 750 to 1500 watts. If you want to use your fireplace for an extended period, then other alternatives like gas, propane, or pellet stove may suit you better.
1.3. How safe is an electric fireplace insert
Safety is not an issue with an electric fireplace insert, as it doesn’t ignite any fire. The caged glass may be hot when touched but there is no real danger if you operate it with precaution. If there is a faulty cable that causes overheating, many have safety features where that turn off instantly when they detect overheating. There are many models like electric fireplace inserts, built-in electric fireplaces, floor-standing electric fireplaces, wall-mounted electric fireplaces, and more. Do some research about the models and choose one based on your needs.
2. Alcohol or Bioethanol Fireplace Insert
2.1. Why should you consider bioethanol fireplace insert
An alcohol fireplace insert is rising as an eco-friendly fireplace. It is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to wood-burning fireplaces. Many homeowners like it because it is stylish, clean, and environmentally safe. Alcohol fireplace insert uses bioethanol which is a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel source. The fuel is made from renewable crops like corn, sugar cane, or beet juice. Moreover, an Alcohol or Bioethanol Fireplace insert does not produce toxic substances and smoke, which makes it a healthier choice.
2.2. Is bioethanol fireplace insert portable
There are many designs when it comes to alcohol or bioethanol fireplaces. The variety of alcohol fireplace designs include a built-in fireplace, portable fireplaces where you can move it around your house, and mounted to the wall. It is a great addition to add more warmth and a modern look to your home. It doesn’t require vents or a chimney which is a desirable factor compared to wood-burning fireplace that requires a chimney.
2.3. How efficient is a bioethanol fireplace insert
it has an effective ratio of heat produced and bioethanol usage. A 1 liter of bioethanol fuel is usually last for 3.5 to 4 hours. It does heat the room but you shouldn’t use it as your primary source of heat. According to bio-fire experts, the main usage of a bioethanol fireplace insert is to help heat a room that is in use while keeping the central heating system low.
3. Pellet Stove
3.1. Why should you consider a pellet stove
You should consider a pellet stove if you are looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly heat source. A pellet stove is one of the most eco-friendly alternatives on the list. A pellet stove burns pellets of compressed wood to produce heat. It is similar in a way to the traditional fireplace that burns wood. However, a pellet stove is greener and eco-friendlier than a traditional fireplace.
There are many styles that you can choose for your home. You can choose between built-in or pellet stove inserts. In high-end models, it even has built-in modern features like a thermostat sensor to control the heat via mobile phone as well.
3.2. Is pellet stove eco-friendly and safe for health
Similar to an alcohol fireplace, it uses a renewable and sustainable source of fuel called biomass. The fuel pellet stove uses are generally compressed sawdust and recycled wood waste which makes them a much greener alternative than traditional fireplaces. By using a pellet stove, you help reduce the carbon footprint.
Biomass fuel burns cleanly and emits low pollutants compared to traditional fireplaces. It doesn’t produce carbon monoxide like propane or gas fireplace which can impact your health. But it still produces residue like ashes or dust in low amounts that is easy to clean.
3.3. What is the downside of a pellet stove
The downside is pellet stove requires electricity to start the fire, control the fan, and other operating functions. It is on average will cost you about $9 in electricity bills per month for operating a pellet stove.
I think it’s the least convenient compared to other alternatives on the list because of the fuel size. The fuel comes in a 40-pound/18 kg bag that will last you for about a day. The size of the bag may be a hindrance for some people as you will need to load and unload many bags to refuel throughout the winter.
It is also not as convenient as plug and play as an electric fireplace. The quality of the pellet is important as low-quality pellets tend to have dust and dirt that reduce the air quality and more dust for you to clean.
4. Propane Fireplace Insert
4.1. Why should you consider a propane fireplace insert
A propane fireplace insert is considered to be one of the most reliable and cost-effective fireplaces for continuous use. What I like about propane fireplaces is they generate more heat than wood fireplaces. West Nova Fuels & Superline Fuels, a market leader in the home heat, commercial, and propane industry, wrote: “Propane fireplaces have up to 6X the heating capacity of a wood fireplace, making for a great additional heating option for your home on those really cold days.” It is a great choice to warm your house and keep the cold away.
4.2. Is propane fireplace insert efficient
Propane fireplace insert uses liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as its fuel source. LGP is stored as a pressured liquid and will turn to gas that ignites the fireplace. It burns brightly and can heat the space easily. It is capable of producing more heat compared to natural gas as LGP burns efficiently.
Unlike natural gas which is lighter than air and tends to move upwards when there is a leak, LPG is flammable and heavier than the air. When there is leakage, it tends to stay in the lower area and may present health issues.
4.3. Which to choose, direct vent or vent-free
There are many different styles of propane fireplaces. You should also choose between a direct vent or a vent-free fireplace. Propane fireplaces nowadays have incorporated modern functions. You can control your propane fireplace with ease. It comes with a switch and remote control to adjust the heat of your propane fireplace. Additionally, you can decorate your propane fireplace with multiple styles of gas logs to choose from like white birch or charred oak.
4.4. How safe is propane fireplace insert
If the gas leaks, you will not be able to see it since it’s colorless but depending on the concentration, you will be able to smell it sometimes. Based on findings from Propane Education & Research Council, the first symptoms that you will notice are nausea, dizziness, headaches, coughing, irregular heartbeat, or drowsiness. It is due to oxygen deprivation because propane will displace the oxygen in your room.
But you shouldn’t worry much. A modern propane fireplace is equipped with a proper safety measure like gas detectors and alarms to notify you if there is leakage.
5. Natural Gas Fireplace Insert
5.1. Why natural gas fireplace insert is popular
Natural gas fireplace insert is a popular choice among homeowners. It is a much safer choice than a wood-burning fireplace. It produces less smoke than traditional fireplaces while still giving an efficient ratio of heat source and energy costs.
You will need a gas line to be able to fuel a gas fireplace. Before getting a gas fireplace insert, you will need to check whether a natural gas line is available in your area or not.
Opposite of a propane fireplace, you don’t need to refuel your tank like a propane fireplace as your fuel comes from an endless supply of gas lines which makes it a more convenient choice compared to a propane or bioethanol fireplace.
5.2. Does a natural gas fireplace insert look good
There are many styles and models, but most of the gas fireplace is built-in but you can opt in for the portable version as well. The benefit of the built-in version is it replicates traditional fireplaces better. You can install bricks to mimic traditional fireplaces. Similar to a propane fireplace, you can find decorative gas logs to give your fireplace a realistic look and give modern vibes to your home.
Flame from a gas fireplace insert mimics flame from a wood-burning fireplace well. Making it a great choice if you prioritize wood-burning-looking flame. Furthermore, The natural gas fireplace insert has low maintenance and gives an aesthetic look to your home.
Some gas fireplace insert still requires you to have a hearth to protect your home from fire hazards. But you should consult with the manufacturer regarding the need for a hearth.
5.3. Is natural gas fireplace insert safe
Although it produces less smoke and is healthier than a traditional fireplace, a gas fireplace is not a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. The gas fireplace uses nature as the fuel to ignite fire. Natural gas, also known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), is made from fossil fuel. It is non-renewable and not as green as propane gas. If you notice odd smells, or there might be a leakage, you should quickly turn off the valve and call your technician for further inspection and repair.
If you are looking to upgrade/renovate your bathroom, you can find it here: 5 Overlooked Benefits of Bathroom Renovation
6. Bottom Line: Which One is The Best Fireplace Inserts
In conclusion, Finding the right fireplace insert for your home is challenging. An electric fireplace insert is great for its convenience. The environmentally friendly biomass fuel that the bioethanol fireplace insert uses is popular for its eco-friendliness. A propane fireplace insert burns efficiently and is capable of generating a considerable amount of heat. If you have a natural gas line in your area, you can choose a natural gas fireplace. If cost-efficiency is your goal, then you may want to look at a pellet stove.
There are many alternatives to upgrade your traditional fireplace to a more modern fireplaces or simply to get more efficient and eco-friendly alternatives. Extensive research is required to check the types, models, and brands of fireplaces that are available in the market. An expert opinion may be needed as well to ensure the suitability of fireplace models to your lifestyle, especially since the investment of getting one is expensive.
