This year, you have just moved into your new house, and so far it has been feeling great in spring, summer, and autumn. However, once winter comes, you realize that a warm and cozy fireplace would be a great addition to your home, but you currently lack a chimney for it. So, what can you do? Can you add a fireplace to your house without making significant changes to accommodate a chimney? Fortunately, you can!
To install a chimney-less fireplace, follow these steps:
- Prepare the area according to the type of fireplace you choose (wood, gas, electric).
- Place the fireplace in the desired location.
- Connect the fireplace to the appropriate fuel source (if applicable).
Installing a chimney-less fireplace is not as difficult as you might think. However, the steps for preparation, installation, and maintenance vary depending on the desired type of fireplace. The rest of this article will discuss the pros and cons of various chimney-less fireplace options and the installation of each type.
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How to Choose a Fireplace
Choosing a fireplace is simple but one of the most important decisions you need to make before starting the installation.
There are three main types of chimney-less fireplaces: wood, gas, and electric. Each of these fireplaces has its own pros and cons, which will be discussed below.
1. Wood Fireplaces
Wood fireplaces function just like your standard fireplace with a chimney. They usually have a metal box where wood is meant to be burned. This box is connected to a large metal pipe known as the “flue” that leads outside.
Wood fireplaces are “chimney-less” in the sense that they do not require a traditional chimney, although they do need to be installed with a chimney in the walls and/or through the ceiling and roof to allow the smoke to escape. Otherwise, there will be smoke buildup inside the house, which can lead to fire or suffocation hazards.
While this type of fireplace can be more challenging to install, it still makes an excellent alternative to constructing a traditional brick chimney inside the house.
Advantages of Wood Fireplaces
- The main advantage of a wood fireplace is that it is authentic. It can produce heat without needing to be connected to a gas or electricity source. You can also interact with it (e.g., roasting marshmallows) and move the burning wood around as needed. A wood fireplace also fills the house with the scent of burning wood (which could be a disadvantage for some). On the other hand, both gas and electric designs aim to mimic the real feel of warmth radiating from a controlled flame.
- Another advantage — depending on the location and season of the user — is that wood is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain compared to gas. You also have the option to collect free firewood from nearby areas like the forest or a woodland.
Disadvantages of Wood Fireplaces
- One disadvantage of a wood fireplace is that it can be very intrusive to install the metal pipe through which the smoke can flow, as you will need to drill holes in your wall and/or ceiling.
- Additionally, a wood fireplace can quickly fill up with ash and dust after burning and requires frequent maintenance and cleaning.
- It is also the most likely type of fireplace to cause fires out of the three chimney-less fireplace options because it is the most difficult to control flames, so you need to be very cautious about what you place around it.
2. Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces function similarly to wood fireplaces without a chimney, as they generate a fire in a small metal box. However, gas fireplaces require propane or another form of natural gas to operate, which means they need to be connected to a gas tank or gas line.
Advantages of Gas Fireplaces
- The biggest advantage of gas fireplaces is that many models do not require a chimney to remove the smoke from the house. This means they are not as invasive to install compared to wood fireplaces.
- Gas fireplaces are very clean, as they leave no residues after burning.
- They are also incredibly easy to use.
Disadvantages of Gas Fireplaces
- Some models and configurations of gas fireplaces may require the installation of an underground gas line (if one is not currently present), which can be expensive and invasive.
- Additionally, gas fireplaces need to be turned off when not in use to reduce the risk of gas leaks, which can be incredibly dangerous. They can pose a significant safety hazard if not operated or maintained properly.
- As mentioned earlier, gas fireplaces lack the authentic feel or atmosphere that a wood fireplace can provide. This can be a disadvantage depending on the user’s preference.
3. Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are technically heaters that have a fireplace display. They consist of a box with a heater and a screen showing a moving image of burning wood. Electric fireplaces need to be plugged into a power outlet to function.
Advantages of Electric Fireplaces
- Electric fireplaces are possibly the safest type of fireplace (but that doesn’t mean they are completely safe).
- They may also be the least expensive of the three, depending on your location and time of year.
- These fireplaces require no maintenance between uses.
- Electric fireplaces are very easy to use.
Disadvantages of Electric Fireplaces
- Electric fireplaces have one disadvantage that makes them dangerous, and that is that they consume a significant amount of electricity. A fire can start in the event of a short circuit.
- Speaking of high power, electric fireplaces may consume so much electricity that you may need a new, durable cable to handle the voltage, which can be expensive.
- Additionally, electric fireplaces do not look as realistic as wood or even gas fireplaces. They are just a heater with a screen on it.
- Electric fireplaces are also not as efficient for heating a room or an entire house. They are simply not designed to be the primary heat source of the house.
Now that you know what the three types of chimney-less fireplaces are (wood, gas, and electric) and their pros and cons, let’s proceed to determine what to look for in a fireplace to narrow down your options.
What to Consider in a Chimney-less Fireplace
When it comes to choosing an individual fireplace, whether it’s wood, gas, or electric, the main features you will be looking out for are the price, style, and size. These elements are straightforward and do not require a great deal of analysis.
- In terms of price, look for something that is not only affordable but also promises quality and, most importantly, safety in the product. The price will also be determined by the type of fuel or source the fireplace uses (whether it’s gas, electricity, or wood), so keep that in mind as well.
- Concerning style, you are not only looking for a fireplace with a design that you like but also one that fits well with your home. Some fireplaces can be built into your wall, so it’s important that the design of the fireplace and the wall align with your preferences.
- Lastly, size is more for practical considerations. You don’t want to end up with a fireplace that doesn’t fit anywhere in your home. To ensure you choose the right size, measure the space where you want to install it within the house and use that number as a reference.
Now that we have defined how to choose a type and individual fireplace for your home, it’s time to prepare for the installation of your new fireplace.
Preparing for Fireplace Installation
Assuming you have now purchased your new fireplace, it’s time to prepare the space where it will be placed. This process will vary significantly among the three different types of fireplaces. However, one step that is common to all fireplaces is the first one: you need to clear the area where the unit will be installed.
Preparations for Wood Fireplaces
If you are dealing with a wood fireplace, you will need to drill a hole in the ceiling about the same diameter as your flue if you haven’t done so already. Of course, this process becomes more complicated if your house has multiple stories between the fireplace and the roof.
If you prefer not to have a metal pipe inside your house, the hole will need to go through the wall. Make sure you have all the components for installing your flue before you start.
Next, create a hole in your wall deep enough to accommodate the fireplace or, alternatively, build a short wall in the middle of a room and cut out a section for the fireplace. Depending on the model, you may also simply place the fireplace against the wall.
Preparations for Gas and Electric Fireplaces
Gas and electric fireplaces can be placed on the floor next to a wall, mounted on the wall, or built into a hole in the wall where the fireplace can be inserted. In any case, make sure your gas fireplace has access to a gas line or tank, and your electric fireplace has access to a power outlet.
In the case of a gas fireplace, the process becomes much more complicated if there is no gas line on your property or if you want to conceal the gas lines to your fireplace. A pipe needs to be installed by a professional, as it requires digging into the ground. This also ensures that the pipeline is securely in place.
Regardless of the type of fireplace you choose, be sure to consider that you will need to place your fireplace in a fairly large space to avoid overheating and remove any combustible items from the area around the fireplace.
Assembling a Fireplace
Installing a fireplace is a relatively straightforward process (with the notable exception of installing a flue for your wood fireplace, but even that requires relatively light work). This process also varies for the three different types of fireplaces.
Installing a Wood Fireplace
Starting with the wood fireplace, drill the holes on the wall and/or ceiling for the flue if you haven’t done so already, then pass the flue pipes through the hole and connect them together.
Next, you need to attach a plate called a “shield” on the outside of the roof to secure the pipe and attach a cap at the very end of your flue. Finally, make sure your wood fireplace is connected to your flue, and you can start warming up the house.
Installing a Gas or Electric Fireplace
If you want to place a gas fireplace on the floor, simply connect it to your gas tank or pipeline. If you opt for a wall mount, place it on the brackets and then connect it to the fuel source.
If you want to embed your fireplace into the wall, simply place it and connect it, provided you haven’t carved out the hole yet. If you haven’t, you will need to drill a hole exactly the same size as your fireplace.
The same method for installing a gas fireplace applies to electric fireplaces as well. No matter which type of setup you choose, you simply need to place the fireplace there and connect it to a power source, in this case, an electrical outlet.
You have now completed the installation of your fireplace, but the work is not done if you don’t know how to take care of the unit to get the most out of it!
Keeping Your Fireplace in Good Condition
A fireplace can last for many years, but that is only possible if you know how to properly take care of it. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure your newly installed fireplace continues to function properly.
- The easiest way to keep your fireplace running is to secure its fuel source. Of course, electricity and gas from a pipeline are essentially always available. However, when it comes to firewood or a gas tank, you need to be proactive.
- If you buy firewood, you don’t have to worry about anything else except occasionally going to your local gas station or hardware store. However, if you chop your own firewood, you need to always have a good supply on hand. This ensures that freshly cut wood has enough time to dry (typically, it is recommended to purchase six months to a year in advance for this process).
- Also, regularly check if your gas tank needs to be replaced soon and go to the store to refill it when needed. A good rule of thumb is to have two at your home so that you can immediately use one after needing to replace the empty one.
- Wood fireplaces require a lot of maintenance. You need to regularly sweep and clean the accumulated dust and ash, as failing to do so can endanger your health.
- Gas and electric fireplaces actually require no maintenance, but check them occasionally, especially a gas fireplace, to ensure there are no gas leaks.
Summary
It is very possible to set up a fireplace without having to build a full-fledged chimney. There are three types of chimney-less fireplaces: wood, gas, and electric.
- Wood fireplaces require the most effort. They need a metal pipe known as a flue to go through your wall and/or ceiling to allow the smoke to escape. They have the advantage of being the most inviting and realistic fireplaces, while the disadvantage is that they are most likely to cause fires and accumulate ash and dust.
- Gas fireplaces can be very much like a wood fireplace, except they require natural gas or propane to operate, and the fire can be controlled for the user’s enjoyment. They have the advantage of being incredibly easy to use. However, they may require a gas line, and a gas leak can be incredibly dangerous.
- Electric fireplaces are similar to gas fireplaces, except they only need to be plugged into a power outlet. They have the advantage of potentially being the safest type of fireplace and are easy to use. However, they do not provide a reliable source of heat, are not authentic, and consume too much electricity.
The three steps to setting up your fireplace generally include preparation, placement, and connecting sources. Preparations for setting up your fireplace include clearing the area where you want to place it and making modifications to your wall – if you want to mount or embed the fireplace onto it, drilling holes for the flue, or adding a gas line – depending on your fireplace and ensuring no combustible items are nearby.
For wood fireplaces, the installation process involves building the flue and attaching