When it comes to changing how a fireplace functions, it’s important to understand the working mechanism of the existing setup.
If you have a gas fireplace, you are going to want to go through the intricacies of the setup and how it needs to be changed for your future setup.
This includes finding out if you can convert a gas fireplace to wood burning with no chimney.
You cannot convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning fireplace with no chimney. Any effective wood-burning fireplace requires a stable chimney and venting system to run safely.
It is also important to note that only some gas fireplaces are capable of making the switch, which is why you are going to want to look at what’s already in place.
If the gas fireplace is fully enclosed, it is not possible to convert it to a wood-burning fireplace because it’s impossible to complete the conversion.
This article is going to look at how to convert a gas fireplace to wood burning.
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Steps On How To Convert Gas Fireplace To Wood Burning
1. Have Access For A Chimney
It’s important to start with the basics when it comes to converting a gas fireplace to a wood-burning fireplace.
As mentioned, you are going to need a chimney.
When wood burns, it is going to create smoke and soot. This needs to clear out of the property or you are going to create unsafe conditions within minutes.
This is why any property with a wood-burning fireplace always has the right outlet in place to make sure the smoke goes out as intended.
In some cases, you are going to have a property with no chimney.
This means everything has to be redone and it is going to be a long-winded project. This is something you have to account for as the property owner to make sure you are trending down the right path.
2. Check Gas Fireplace’s Compatibility
You will have to pinpoint whether or not the gas fireplace is compatible with what you are going for.
It’s easy for a person to assume the gas fireplace is going to be compatible but that is not always the case.
Enclosed gas fireplaces cannot be converted.
They are going to be running through the gas line and are not going to have space for a chimney to be set up and then the conversion to take place.
3. Assess The Venting Setup
You will also want to look at the venting setup.
It is not just enough to have a chimney for the wood-burning fireplace.
You are also going to want to make sure the smoke is going out in the right direction. The last thing you are going to want is for the smoke to enter the room and then spread throughout the house.
This is when venting is a must and the smoke has to go straight out.
Look into this to make sure you are considering the nuances of what works and what does not in a process such as this.
4. Check The Building Code
Have you taken the time to look into the building code for the area?
This is one of those details people don’t think about as much as they should and it haunts them later.
You will want to know what type of permits are required to make this change on your property. You will likely have to let the region know about what you are doing and that is going to include having to put in an application for a new permit.
This is the only way you can set up a chimney on-site and make sure it is legally verified.
Final Thoughts
This guide should have explained why it’s not possible to convert a gas fireplace to wood burning with no chimney.
However, you will have learned what to do if you put a chimney in place.
You cannot convert a gas fireplace to wood burning with no chimney. Any functional conversion is going to require a customized chimney and a successful venting system for the smoke to leave properly.
You are not going to want to compromise on this as it becomes a safety risk.
Most property owners are recommended to consider the costs of adding the chimney and venting system into the process. This also includes any permits you are going to need to get approved by the government.
These are important details that are going to sway you in one direction or another based on what you are hoping to get from the process.
Look into this and then move forward with the conversion.
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