LongWindedInNJ t1_j2do0hg wrote on December 31, 2022 at 2:10 PM

I’ll echo what others said: there may have been a cursory fireplace / chimney report included with your home inspection if you had one. But a detailed inspection of the chimney is usually done by a specialist.

If it’s determined it’s in good working order I’d suggest living with it for a while and see how it effects the heat in your home. Running a wood-burning fireplace usually sucks heat OUT of the rest of your house, requiring your conventional heating system to work slightly harder. But some people like traditional wood-burning fireplaces.

For reference: we installed a gas fireplace on an empty wall about 5 years ago. It’s a slightly different process installing gas fireplace from scratch vs as a gas insert in a wood fireplace. But the same idea applies: buying a new appliance for your home that needs plumbing and electrical work to connect the unit. In my case I also needed venting, carpentry for a surround/enclosure, etc. I did all the work myself as part of a larger renovation.

Please note that if you choose to have an insert installed: I would suggest hiring a fireplace contractor. There are many fireplace showrooms that sell a variety of units, but they primarily make their money contracting out the work to install the units. They can help you from start to finish, including handling permits with your town.

If you’re in / near Monmouth County I bought my fireplace from East Coast Energy in West long Branch, NJ. They have a huge showroom with different options and were easy to work with (others ranged from indifferent / unhelpful to downright rude.)

FYI my fireplace components costs $3,500 in 2017 but got quotes well over $12k from various places for the full install. I can’t even imagine what they cost now with every thing getting more expensive in recent years. I was installed it myself - and it took a while - but I saved a lot that way. Not everyone is set up for that, but just know these places make money on contracting out the trades (electrical for starter, plumbing for gas line, etc.)

Good luck and welcome to NJ!

ThrowRASalt_Bit_2781 OP t1_j2e0f58 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 3:47 PM

Yes I’m in the same county! Okay kool good to know I can see what my boyfriend thinks about installing it maybe in the future ourselves. Most the money I have to do anything going into furniture and things for the house. So this is something I’m looking to do eventually and trying to kind of get as much information as possible! Appreciate your help with everything.

LongWindedInNJ t1_j2e36h0 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 4:07 PM

Absolutely. If it’s not necessary right now, the gas fireplace insert is something to take your time with and form a plan. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself with owning a home. And I say that as someone with lots of half finished (big) projects around my house.

Shop around for the right fixture, shop around for contractors. Take your time, develop relationships. These electricians, plumbers, etc. can be people you can call on for emergencies and larger projects as they present themselves. You can also join local FB groups for recommendations for local contractors. Or ask neighbors.

If you plan to move forward with this: start with a more thorough inspection of the fireplace and chimney and go from there.

Then get an estimate for a plumber to run a gas line. But explain that you don’t have the appliance/fixture yet so it might be tricky to know where inside your fireplace needs to be installed. Every insert is different.

Like you said: I’d use the money you have to furnish the home, etc. There’s no rush to get a gas insert installed if your traditional heating system works. I would recommend you use that and see how this winter fares.

For the record: a lot of people that have wood-burning fireplaces never use them so I assume you have a traditional heating system works fine and can keep you warm during your first winter.

Good luck!