13 June 2023,

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For Canadians, the home must offer warmth and comfort, especially during the cold winter.

Heating the home is a primary concern of all homeowners. Various options are available such as the pellet stove, a popular and energy-efficient product. But other fireplaces are also noteworthy.

You may think it is expensive to install a fireplace but the benefits are worth the price. Aside from the beauty and elegance a fireplace adds to your home, it can reduce your energy bill. A fireplace is not a luxury if you consider its many benefits!

With a fireplace, your home will always be comfortable and warm.

Compare Home Quotes presents the pros and cons of pellet stoves and other fireplaces commonly used in Canada.

Fill out our short online form to find the type of fireplace that suits your budget!

Good reasons to install a fireplace in the home

Installing a fireplace will provide significant benefits to a homeowner. From gas to wood-burning fireplaces, they offer advantages to your home you can’t get from something else.

EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL HEATING

Regardless of the type of fireplace you install, you can have heating at an affordable price. You can lower energy bills with a gas or wood-burning fireplace while an electric fireplace is easy to operate and maintain.

IMPROVE THE HOME’S AMBIANCE AND APPEAL

A fireplace can improve your home’s ambiance and appeal. Who can resist the warmth of a glowing fireplace, not to mention the mood it creates? If you decide to sell the house in the future, a fireplace will be a main selling point as it adds value to your home.

SAFETY

Fireplaces are safe to use, including wood-burning ones, as long as you observe proper maintenance and follow safety regulations such as proper ventilation.

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY

All types of fireplaces can be environment-friendly compared to using a furnace for heating the home. Many newer models for electric and gas fireplaces have features that make them very environment-friendly.

EASY INSTALLATION

Electric fireplaces are easy to install. Vent-free gas and electric fireplaces cost little to install and require no extensive remodeling.

Would you like to compare quotes for different types of fireplaces for your home? Just fill out our short online form to connect with fireplace installers in your area, free of charge!

What are the types of fireplaces?

The type of fireplace you choose will dictate the cost of your fireplace installation.

You can choose from a wood-burning, electric, or gas fireplace. These types of fireplaces have different prices and installation fees. The rates offered by HVAC professionals also vary for each type.

Electric fireplace

An electric fireplace is generally the cheapest for installation costs. The materials needed for the installation are not expensive which means reduces the labour fees.

Homeowners spend from $500 to $1500 for the installation of an electric fireplace. The price includes the materials, assembly, and installation. You don’t need much to operate this type of fireplace because it uses electricity.

Before deciding on an electric fireplace, you should first check the different models. While the installation cost is low, it runs on electricity which means it could increase your energy bill.

Electric fireplaces are available in 3 options – freestanding fire, inset fire, and wall fire.

How do electric fireplaces work?

You can install any of the 3 options mentioned above.

Inset fires are space-savers as they can be installed around a standard fireplace.
For freestanding fires, you need a wall in the fireplace area to support it. It will seem like you have a chimney.
Wall fires are also ideal if you want to manage your space.

Electric fireplaces are becoming more popular because of easy installation and use. They mimic real flames using LED lights and provide the ambiance you want without the disadvantages of real combustion. They don’t require ventilation and are usually easy to move.

Gas Fireplace

For the installation of a gas fireplace, you will likely pay a higher price than an electric fireplace. In the long term, however, you will be spending less for its maintenance.

The difference in the cost of a gas and electric fireplace installation is not very significant. Depending on your home, you may need additional materials which could increase your bill. For instance, if you need to install a gas line, it will add to your expenses.

The average cost of installing a gas fireplace is from $5,500 to $7,000.

The final cost depends on the materials and tools needed but professionals may charge you from $500 to $3000 for the installation. You should work with an experienced professional for a gas fireplace.

Benefits of installing a gas fireplace

Fire from gas is good because it will keep your house warm for a long time. It is also quite simple to operate. The actual benefits will depend on the type of gas fireplace you choose. These are the options for a gas fireplace:

Wall-mounted gas fire: Your fireplace can have a chimney or not. For lower costs, you can choose a wall-mounted fireplace.

Hole-in-wall gas fire: If you want aesthetic value, a gas fireplace is the best choice because it adds to the appeal of the home.

Flueless gas fire: You won’t need a chimney with this type of fireplace. Gas fires operate efficiently so you will also have less to worry about in terms of maintenance costs.

Wood-burning fireplace

This type of fireplace was the first for fireplace installation. And while it is the oldest one, it has not lost its popularity or relevance. The cost to install a wood-burning fireplace, however, is more intimidating than a gas or electric one.

You may spend around $8,000 to $12,500 to install a wood-burning fireplace in your home. The cost may be high but you will save on energy bills over time.

Some of the things you need to keep in mind are related to the maintenance of your fireplace with wood. If you think it is a tedious job to carry the wood to your fireplace, you might want to just go with a gas or electric fireplace. Then, there is also the task of cleaning the chimney.

Three options are available for a wood-burning fireplace:

Radiation heater
Combustion
Circulating wood stove

Materials for installing a fireplace and the cost

When preparing the budget for a fireplace installation in the home, you also need to consider the materials required. Regardless of the type of fireplace you buy, the materials will greatly influence the final cost.

A gas fireplace, for instance, will need a working gas line. If you already have one that can be used for the fireplace, you can save on costs. But if you need a gas line installed, it will increase your total bill.

An electric fireplace, on the other hand, will need wires to supply power. If the distance is significant, the extra wiring will increase your bill anywhere from $100 to $500.

The professional who will install the fireplace will also charge installation fees. Most reputable businesses will also offer a warranty and insurance for the work. The fees vary among contractors but they can run from $2000 or more.

The size of the fireplace for installation

You may think your home is small and that you don’t need a big fireplace. Keep in mind that your home must have enough space for the fireplace. The space will also dictate the size of the fireplace you can install.

For bigger homes, a big fireplace will be needed to provide adequate heating in winter. The extra materials and labour will increase the installation cost.

When choosing the size of the fireplace, you should know that bigger fireplaces are more expensive to install than smaller ones.

What is the best location for a fireplace?

You will need to decide on the location of the fireplace before you can calculate the cost. It is possible to install a fireplace in your outdoor space (in the backyard) such as in the deck or covered patio. It costs less to install than an indoor fireplace.

Most homeowners prefer to install a fireplace in the living room where guests are entertained and where family usually gathers.

Whether you decide on an indoor or outdoor fireplace, all three types of fireplaces – gas, electric, or wood-burning- can be used.

Types of fireplace ventilation

Ventilation is needed because fireplaces may produce dangerous by-products and emissions in the home.

Fireplaces can have different types of ventilation including:

Natural ventilation: The most common and usually chimney-type.
Direct ventilation: This works with substitution, meaning the air is replaced from air outside. It uses ductwork.

Ventless: There is no visible ventilation but it uses a device to automatically clean the air.

FAQS about fireplace installation in Canada

How can I get an accurate estimate for a fireplace installation in my home?

The best way is to have an HVAC professional visit your home for a physical inspection. He can provide an accurate price after checking the location of the fireplace and the materials required. You can start by filling out our online form to connect with fireplace installation experts in your area.

What fireplace is the best for my home?

The choice of a fireplace is yours to make. You will need to consider your budget, preferred maintenance, and your goals. If you want a fireplace with low maintenance, an electric or gas fireplace may be good choices but they will both increase your utility bills. A wood-burning fireplace costs less for upkeep but they are more expensive to install. They also require the physical task of carrying wood and cleaning the chimney.

Is a fireplace a good investment for my home?

A fireplace can offer more warmth to your home. That is the first advantage. Aside from that, it also adds value to your home. Studies show that a fireplace can increase home value by as much as 12%. Then of course, a fireplace adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home.

What are the requirements for installing a chimney in Canada?

The building code mandates that a chimney extends no less than 3 ft. (1 meter) above the point it exits the roof and 2 ft. higher than the roof or other obstacle within a distance of 10 ft. (3 meters).

How long does it take to install a gas or electric fireplace?

It can take as little as a few hours to install an electric or gas fireplace. A wood-burning fireplace may take longer to install, depending on the size of the fireplace and the complexity of the work.

What is the ventilation for a fireplace?

A fireplace needs venting to avoid the risk of illness or carbon monoxide poisoning from burning natural gas or wood.

A gas fireplace is generally vented horizontally through the wall with a direct vent leading outdoors. They can also have a vent through the roof. For wood-burning fireplaces, vertical venting is needed through the roof.

Are vent-free fireplaces allowed in Canada?

Depending on your location, your municipality may or may not allow a ventless gas fireplace or may have restrictions for the installation such as the size of the room and airflow.

Vent-free fireplaces are not allowed in Canada for use indoors but they can be installed outdoors where there is sufficient air circulation.

Find HVAC professionals for a fireplace installation

To install a fireplace in your home, it is advisable to work with am HVAC professional. You will need a certified contractor for installing a gas or electric fireplace, too.

While they charge high prices depending on the type of fireplace you prefer, it guarantees your safety as well as your property.

Compare multiple quotes from reputable contractors for a fireplace installation anywhere in Canada using our short online form!

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Cost of fireplace installation in Canada by HVAC professionals