All
I have an older couple who want to put an electric fireplace in their existing gas unit.
The gas unit gets too hot, so never use it aymore. Gas is shut off and the flue is closed off.
They just want to watch TV and have a fake flame going and a little bit of heat.
I spoke to a fireplace store and they gave me an immediate NO.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to just remove the gas log and cap the gas line. Then slide a new insert into the cavity and run new wire to the new unit. They want to use a 220V unit. It’s a 7-8 year old home with an open basement, so it will be easy to remove any gas lines or run new wiring and breakers.
Leave the glass door off. Put the screen back in place and let it work.
Have any you done this? What am I not seeing here?
Any recommendations of good electric fireplace inserts.
Thank you.
Rich
Replies
We did this sort of. If I get a chance I'll get you a picture.
Our fireplace is designed for the old gas stoves, the type with a bunch of ceramic/asbestos bricks in it. So the opening is narrow, about 22" X 30".
We used one from Desa International, CGEF23B
http://tinyurl.com/6fq7q3
This one even allows simulated flames and no heat. The heat output isn't real high, but sufficient for a bedroom.
To fix it right, we need to add a bit of surround with some tile. That is one of the winter projects.
Don't forget to close the flue and stuff some insulation in it.
As long as you meet the clearance requirements of the unit, I don't see why not.
Hi Bryan
I talked again with the fireplace store, this time with a installer.
He said the electric insert units specific a masonry box.
He said it can be done, but he wouldn't touch it for liability reasons.
He seemed pretty wary of cutting a hole in the exisitng unit to run wiring. I already have a hole where the flexible gas line runs in. I would probably remove the flex line and cap the gas back at the black pipe.
It just seems to me like it can put out any more heat than a space heater. Except this space heater would sit inside a large metal box with one side open.
Thanks for the reply.
Rich
I can't imagine this particular unit you are looking at. It must be something monster.Maybe try looking at some other units. It seems to me that there are plenty that are freestanding, so you wouldn't have to worry about the masonry box.But I'm not sure about getting juice to it, short of boring a hole and running conduit.
Bryan
I was not looking at a particular model.
The fireplace store was very set against installing an electric inseert into a gas firplace. I don't understand.
If I emove the flexible gas line then I already have a hole to get a wire into the box.
Thanks for the reply.
Rich
I agree with you. I don't see what the fireplace store's problem is.As long as you follow manufacturer's instructions regarding clearance (and most of these seem to be zero clearance) I don't see a problem.I wasn't sure if you had complete access to the gas line or not. But if you do and can remove it, you're right, you have a place to run the wiring. Just be sure to use conduit or at least armored cable to protect the wires.