How to Choose the Right Fuel Type for Your Fireplace Insert

Whether you're upgrading your fireplace to a fireplace insert or doing a brand-new installation, it is important to know about the different fuel types available to you. You're not limited to wood or gas—there are seven choices! In this article, we'll break down each option and give you the pros and cons for each fuel type so you know which fuel type is best for you.

• Wood: When people think of fireplaces and fireplace inserts, they almost always imagine wood-burning. Like their fireplace counterparts, a wood-burning fireplace insert needs properly seasoned firewood and a steady supply to keep the fire going, but many people find it worth it for the comforting warmth, smell, and sounds of a wood fire.

• Natural Gas: If you're a city dweller or live in a high-population area, natural gas could be a convenient and easily available fuel choice for your fireplace insert. This is one of the most common non-electric fuels, thanks to its availability by utility companies. Natural gas, being lighter than the atmosphere, will quickly dissipate in the event of a gas leak, providing a sense of reassurance and safety. Your home may already be connected to a natural gas line or be easily added to an existing line, making it a convenient option for many.
• Propane: The natural counterpart to natural gas is propane, which is typically more available in rural areas that may not have access to natural gas. Propane is heavier than the atmosphere and may gather in low-lying areas in case of a gas leak. It is not recommended to use 20-lb. propane tanks to fuel a fireplace insert due to the high volume used by higher BTU models.
• Gas-Burner Not Included: Some fireplace inserts don't include a burner but are designed for you to choose your own gas burner. This leaves you with more options if you want a traditional or contemporary burner that can fit into the insert's box. If you want a more customizable fireplace insert, a burner-less one may be for you.

• Pellet: Pellets aren't just limited to stoves! There's been a sharp rise in the popularity of pellet-fueled fireplace inserts. Pellets are generally made of specially treated wood or other biomass to promote a cleaner and more efficient burn.

• Electric: With the rise in popularity of electric fireplaces, it's not unexpected that fireplace inserts would also become more common. Electric fireplace inserts are ideal for reducing your carbon footprint by replacing a gas or wood fireplace with something that runs on the same electricity already used by the rest of your home! They also have many of the same benefits: low maintenance, vent-free, and no smoke.

• Corn: Fireplace inserts that run on corn are another up-and-coming trend! These are very similar to pellet fireplace inserts. Many pellet fireplace inserts may also use corn as a fuel. Of course, you should always verify the fuel type by the insert's manual! But this is another clean and efficient type of fireplace insert.

Selecting the best fuel type for your fireplace insert is the first step in choosing the fireplace insert that will give you the most bang for your buck. Next, we'll talk about the vent type.