Most homeowners are not very concerned about fireplaces, probably because they dont see as much use these days, and they would rather spend their money elsewhere.. As a result, fireplaces are often on the chopping block. They are typically more expensive to install than electric fireplaces, but they offer several benefits. You should figure about $3,500 for the unit and installation, plus the utility costs of gas. Remember You need to spend extra money, as most units need to extend the gas line, which costs around $10-$20 for every linear foot. Because of the risk of spark, proper guards must be installed in a fireplace. Additions to your home are only improvements if they add something positive. If a new chimney was established for a fireplace, that value could be put right back into your home. Including a fireplace option in a home is a versatile way to increase home value. Both have their pros and cons, so its important to understand the differences before making a decision. Find top real estate agents in these similar cities, HomeLight has an A+ rating with the 9 Best Electric Fireplace Mantels (Reviews and Buying Guide). . Chimney installation can add on thousands, though, and will be the most expensive element of this project. There are many benefits to having a gas fireplace over an electric one. Also, consider both the operating costs in your localities for gas and electric fireplaces. A gas fireplace requires less maintenance, but you may need to install a gas line if you choose a vented model. This can be a draw for homebuyers who are searching for a home that they can connect with on an emotional level. More heavy-duty outdoor wood fireplaces can be built outside for more money, but these are more permanent. Theyre also very safe since theres no open flame, and you can use them in any room since they dont require a venting system. All fireplaces run the risk of fire. Traditional brick hearth and mantel fireplaces can cost upwards of $30,000, comparable to that of a full kitchen remodel without the same return. For installation of the gas burning fireplace components, the cost can range from $1,500 to $3,000. The average cost per hour to run is slightly higher at 17 cents, but because of the efficiency, they are actually better value. Many homeowners dont anticipate added expenses of new construction. With the real estate market on the upswing, many homeowners have begun to consider upgrading their homes after a period of stagnation that was felt nation-wide. If you want a linear wall fireplace or cozy corner unit, look into an electric fireplace. Gel fireplaces can be installed in the living room, dining room, or even the bathroom! However, as per the calculated estimates, it will cost around $0.49 to run your gas fireplace for an hour, whereas if you run it for 8 hours, it will cost you $4.41 a day and $132 for a whole month. Check your current bill for the exact numbers for your area, but the national average cost of electricity is about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while the national average cost of natural gas is $1.22 per therm (or 100,000 Btu). Gas fireplaces have the most efficient heat output. On average, however, it costs $0.22 per hour to run an electric fireplace. While the bathroom and kitchen are probably the first home renovations that come to mind, you may surprise to learn just how much a fireplace can add to the resale value of your home. Remember Gas prices can vary depending on your area, so calculate the estimates on your local gas price. Gas is dangerous and shouldnt be part of a DIY project. 8 Perfect Ways to Make Your Fireplace the Focal Point. There really is nothing like the smell and real-live crackle of a wood-burning fire. There are many Touchstone, R.W.FLAME, Homajor, Masarflame, SUNNY FLAME, Electactic, Vitesse, Ameriwood Home, TURBRO, Homedex . This is because potential home buyers see a gas fireplace as a luxurious amenity that adds both resale value and curb appeal to a home. Other recommended fireplace and chimney maintenance includes having a wire-mesh cap atop the chimney to keep out birds, squirrels, and debris, plus removing excess ashes. You may want to choose an electric or gas fireplace to insert in the space. The bulk of its cost will be laying a new gas line and hiring an electrician to hook up everything requiring electricity safely. To simplify, $0.71 is the average amount per hour spent on gas to keep the gas fireplace running. Aside from the obvious benefits and drawbacks, wood or gas fireplaces add 50% to 75% of an increase in home value while an electric fireplace adds minimal value. Other behaviors such as flying and travel emit many more pollutants. Header Image Source: (Andrea Davis / Unsplash). Today, one can add a fireplace in almost any home. You could have the chimney closed off and place decorative candlesticks in the space. A glass-front 5000 BTU insert firebox with a stone bed that uses an existing 120V outlet costs an average of $900 nationwide for the unit and installation, according to Fixr.com. Copyright 2023 Fireplace Experts - Experts In Service & Repair Of Gas Fireplaces. Homeowners often choose to buy fireplaces before selling a home and often wonder if they will add resale value to their house. All wood fireplaces and many gas fireplaces will need a chimney. In early 2022, per therm of natural gas cost around $1,413. Some could be a deal-breaker, so be sure you understand the full requirements of each type of fireplace before buying. These come in different varieties (circulating, combustion, and radiant heat), costing about $325 to $4,000 for the units themselves. For a home already hooked up to natural gas, installation can be easy. A fireplace may help a property sell faster because of the way it makes people feel, like a large tub in the master bathroom, Spurgeon says. Electric fireplaces do not use as much energy as gas fireplaces and do not directly emit any particles into the atmosphere. For a regular, reliable source of heat, wood or gas should be used. They put out heat by burning wood, which produces heat, smoke, and ashes. Consider each of the points mentioned above to make the best purchase for your house. A pre-built gas burning fireplace can range from $1,500 to $3,000 for the materials and fireplace. If your home already has a chimney, but it needs repairs to allow you to burn wood, you can expect to spend less. Starting from scratch will raise costs, though. A wood-burning stove can be inserted in an existing chimney and masonry. In contrast, gas fireplaces can efficiently heat air in a room. Have low electrical costs in your localities. Electric and gas fireplaces can be quite simple to install, though. Mason Spurgeon, a certified general real estate appraiser since 2004 who handles appraisals in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa, estimates that a fireplace may increase a homes value by a mere $500 to $1,000, if at all. You can find Tyler getting outdoors whenever he can and nerding out about fireplace technology in his free time. Required fields are marked *. Further, you can control how much gas is being burned, making it easier to control the heat output of your fireplace. If you live in an apartment or condo, for example, you may not have the option of installing a wood-burning or gas fireplace. However, the installation of the fireplace can cost an additional $1,500 to $3,000. How Much Value Does a Gas Fireplace Add? A large stone fireplace with a wood mantel is expected in a hunting lodge, but if the same fireplace was in a $200,000 home, it would be out of place and may even negatively impact the sale price, Spurgeon says. Experts can do in-home evaluations to determine the cost of installation. Electric fireplaces are cheaper and easier to install than gas models, and they dont produce any emissions. Electric fireplace sales have been on the rise in recent years, with about 832,000 retail units sold in 2018, statistics show. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that 49% of new homes include at least one fireplace. Ask your builder to leave a space for a future fireplace. This is according to the National Association of REALTORS 2013 Survey. One downside of gas fireplaces is that they produce emissions that can be harmful to the environment. Simply turn on the gas, push a button, and youre ready to go. It also seems that someone who is searching for a home prefers one type to another, often based on age value. However, from a marketability perspective, the 2019 edition of NAHBs What Home Buyers Really Want study found that 55% of homebuyers found gas fireplaces desirable, compared to 48% of homebuyers who liked wood-burning fireplaces. If one room in the house doesnt get enough heat in the winter, space heaters are a worthy option. An outdoor fireplace is less versatile than a wood one but better if little effort is wanted for an instant outdoor gathering spot. If your home has an older, open-combustion fireplace, you can upgrade to a fireplace insert a self-contained unit inserted into an existing firebox. Further, this can provide a new unique place to cook pizzas and other food. A proper flue, liner, and ventilation need to be installed. So will a fireplace add value to your home? Whatever the reason, gas fireplaces have certain advantages over their wood-burning and electric counterparts. Luckily, there are alternatives to the classic crackling wood-burning fireplace. They are less expensive to install than gas fireplaces, but they dont produce real flames. This gives electric fireplaces an advantage as they do not require a vent, whereas gas fireplaces need one. Permanent outdoor wood fireplaces can be covered and given a chimney to make them resistant to almost any weather. Or, the homeowner might simply prefer the look of a gas fireplace. According to a2019 survey, only about 41% of new constructions have a fireplace. As for efficiency and reliability in heating, gas does a great job. Ethanol - Many vendors are not selling them citing liability issues, High cost of fuel, Doesn't have good resale value. Take a closer look at gas vs electric fireplaces. Source: (Element5 Digital / Pexels) Lack of practical use, added cost hurts fireplace appeal Statistics from NAHB confirm that fireplaces are less common at the lower end of the housing market because of the challenges of keeping new homes affordable. Sparks from a wood fireplace can quickly ignite unguarded carpet, drapes, or furniture. Wood is abundant in many parts of the world, too, so fuel is easy to come by. Perhaps the home is already set up for gas and it would be the easiest option. If your new fireplace is gas or electric, resale values are not as high. They can heat your home in a more efficient way. Youve spent too many cold nights around the Netflix Yule Log and crave the warmth and comfort that only a genuine fireplace can offer. Electric fireplaces also add a touch of class and sophistication to a room, making it feel more luxurious and inviting. Gas - Not many options for less than 12" deep, Has a strong Odor, Concerns of CO2 emission into the room. For many, the heat and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace are worth the effort. Your email address will not be published. Can You Use Pallets for Firewood (Is it Safe to Burn)? Homes in seasonally cold climates commonly use natural gasses to stay warm. Further customization of the indoor feature can raise the cost. HomeLight, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA 94105. Homeowners are responsible for cleaning up ashes. Electric, however, does not have as much resale value. You will have the most realistic flames in gas fireplaces; however, the artificial flames in electric fireplaces also have a very realistic appeal. Most home builders view fireplaces as a luxury, not a necessity. (One therm = 1,00,000 BTUs.). This is more likely because the instrumentation is more delicate and fine-tuned in an electric fireplace. This efficiency rate is so far above the efficiency that traditional fireplaces give off. Do not have to be concerned about kids or pets running around or about elders getting into mishaps. Electric is the least expensive option to install but the most expensive to run. However, the enjoyment youll get from using your fireplace has value as well. You can use a. In addition to the affordability factor, Spurgeon notes that fireplaces have been labeled outdated due to their cost to install and upkeep, and the advancement of modern efficient heating systems. The National Fire Protection Association recommends homeowners do a chimney sweep once a year to check for deposits and correct clearance, which calls for writing a $244 check on average each time. Builders can use outdoor-rated supplies to make the gas fireplace weather-resistant. They can be versatile but do not provide as reliable of heat as other fireplaces. Heating a space without central heating can be a tricky game. So, as long as you are on the grid, electricity is abundant and labor-free. Thus, no ashes, smoke in the house, or opening and closing a flue. After this, see what safety measures gas and electric fireplaces bring and choose the one that better suits your home and environment. This site is the place where I share everything Ive learned to help you with your fireplace needs. Fireplaces vary in style, heat sources, and price. While some homeowners may use a fireplace for heating, the appraisal form considers it an amenity in the same category as a patio or deck, a pool, a fence, or a porch. The costs of installing a wood-burning fireplace are anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000. Fireplacetips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The same goes for style, what kind of tone does your remodeled space have? 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