LIFEST Y LES AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA | VOL. 17 ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2025
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplace Inserts
This gorgeous stone fireplace got a major upgrade in heating efficiency and looks with the addition of the Mendota FV33i gas insert.
A wood burning insert like the Fireplace Xtrordinair Medium Flush NexGen Fyre Wood-burning insert increases the efficiency of a traditional open masonry fireplace. Fireplace inserts are “on fire.” They are popular with homeowners who are looking to add warmth and value to the home without making major renovations, which is why we’re dedicating this article to the most commonly asked questions about fireplace inserts. What Is a Fireplace Insert? A fireplace insert is a prefabricated steel or cast iron fire box designed to be installed within an existing masonry fireplace. If you’re looking for heat, choose wood- or gas-burning (either propane or natural gas), or pellet. Choose an electric insert if you’re looking for ambiance and a very modest amount of heat. In this article we’ll focus on gas and wood stove inserts, which
FEATURE
OF THE MONTH are the most popular. Fireplace inserts are generally used for zone heating rather than whole-house heating. You may be able to heat most of your home with an insert, depending on the size and layout of your home, ceiling height, insulation and other factors. Our experts will help you determine whether an insert could heat your entire home or whether it makes sense to boost heat in the areas you live in the most.
We installed this Hearthstone Clydesdale wood-burning insert in the family’s great room, where it replaces an old drafty fireplace. Is a Fireplace Insert an Efficient Heat Source? A traditional open fireplace is not an efficient heater: but inserts are. In an open fireplace, most of the heat goes up the chimney, leaving only 10-15% to actually heat the living space. By contrast, today’s gas inserts and EPA-Certified wood stove inserts are very high-efficiency. They absorb and then radiate heat even after the fire has gone out. They also often feature blowers that direct heat to the living space. Can You Convert a Wood-Burning Fireplace to Gas? Yes! If you have a wood-burning masonry fireplace, you Please see FIREPLACES, Page 6