How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Wood-Burning Fireplace to Gas in 2025?
Converting a wood fireplace to gas costs an average of $3,000
On average, you’ll spend between $500 and $5,500 on the cost to convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas, with the final price driven by the fireplace style, your location, and overall project scope.
Most homeowners pay an average of $3,000 for the full conversion.
Professional installation ensures safety, compliance, and efficient operation.
Gas fireplaces offer cleaner operation, reduced maintenance, and enhanced convenience.
Upgrading can significantly improve home value and comfort.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The average cost to convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas ranges from $500 and $5,500, with a national average of $3,000. Factors like fireplace type, materials, labor, and how often you use your fireplace can all influence the final price. Budgeting wisely and hiring a professional ensures a safe, efficient upgrade.
Wood-Burning Fireplace to Gas Conversion Cost Factors
How much you’ll pay for your fireplace conversion depends on a variety of factors. Here’s a closer look at how your total breaks down.
Fireplace Type
Your total spend hinges on the kind of gas setup you choose. Swapping in gas logs is the budget pick, though it puts out the least heat. Installing a gas insert costs more upfront but delivers the highest heat output and overall efficiency. For gas fireplace inserts, the average cost is $3,600.
| Conversion Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Vented | $5,000 |
| Ventless | $1,500 |
Compare the differences between vented and ventless options below.
| Vented | Ventless |
|---|---|
| Some heat escapes outside | Heat is retained inside the home |
| Less efficient burning | More efficient burning |
| Pollutants vented outdoors | Some contaminants in indoor air |
| Most expensive gas fireplace option | Less expensive option |
| Requires a chimney or exterior vent | No vent required |
| Complies with building codes | Not legal in some areas |
Vented
A vented gas-log conversion averages $5,000. Although they give off less heat than ventless models, they remain popular for their realistic flames and emissions-free venting.
Your installer will run a gas line to the fireplace, remove the damper or weld it to be permanently open to prevent asphyxiation and carbon monoxide poisoning, and add a grate to hold the logs. Then, they’ll add the gas logs, sand, and other substrates—like fire glass or lava rock—and possibly an electrical line.
Ventless
A ventless gas-log conversion costs an average of $1,500. Because the design recirculates indoor air, these models cost less than vented systems and burn more efficiently, producing greater heat output.
Gas Fireplace Inserts
Converting a fireplace to a gas fireplace insert costs between $2,000 and $5,500. Whether you have an existing masonry fireplace or an electric fireplace insert, converting to a gas fireplace insert is the most costly option, but it provides the most heat.
Depending on the existing setup, you may need to add a direct vent so the outside air can be drawn in for combustion, and the exhaust is easily removable without entering your home. This is optional if you already have a chimney or a natural or direct vent.
Materials
Materials for converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas start as low as $150 for a basic gas-log setup. High-end inserts featuring wide viewing areas, LED flame effects, or smart-home connectivity can climb past $5,000.
Labor
Labor rates swing widely. If you already have a vent and gas line in place, installing vented gas logs might cost as little as $500.
However, if your fireplace needs significant repairs or construction—such as paying for chimney repair costs or adding a direct vent—or you want a lot of custom work to make a real feature of your fireplace, you could pay up to $15,000.
The cost of labor and materials is fairly evenly split on standard conversions. However, labor costs will increase significantly if you need a lot of work done to make the conversion safe.
Other Fireplace Conversion Cost Factors
Beyond your chosen fireplace style, several add-ons can move the needle on price. Running a new gas line, installing a direct vent, or repairing an existing chimney will all raise the final tab.
Natural Gas Line Installation
Installing a natural gas line costs between $200 and $1,000, depending on how far the line has to travel. It costs an average of $15 to $25 per linear foot, including parts and labor. You'll need a natural gas line if you're converting a wood or electric fireplace into a gas fireplace, as you'll need a way to transport the fuel from the gas main to your fireplace.
Chimney
Before you change the fireplace, you should have the chimney cleaned and inspected. Hiring a chimney sweep costs between $100 and $150, while a chimney inspection costs an average of $450. This removes any potentially harmful buildup, such as soot and creosote.
DIY Fireplace Conversion vs. Hiring a Pro
Leave your fireplace conversion project to a licensed local fireplace installation pro. Working with gas lines and venting is highly regulated, and most states require certified professionals to handle the job safely and up to code.
Don’t attempt this job on your own. Installing a fireplace incorrectly is dangerous, and the fireplace, vent, and fuel line all require proper, professional installation.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Yes, many homeowners find a wood-to-gas fireplace conversion to be a worthwhile investment. A gas conversion trades messy firewood for push-button convenience, built-in safety shutoff valves, and low-maintenance operation. It also burns more cleanly and efficiently, which can trim energy costs and boost resale value—all around, a smart upgrade for most homeowners.
You don't technically need a chimney for a gas fireplace. However, if you go with the safer vented option, you need a direct vent or another venting system that draws in external air for combustion and expels the exhaust. If you have an existing chimney, you can use it as the vent as long as it's appropriately lined. Installing a chimney liner costs $630 to $7,000.
Yes, a gas fireplace will still work during a power outage. Gas fireplaces with a vertical pilot don't require electricity for the pilot flame to start. New gas fireplace models may use an intermittent pilot ignition system. These types of fireplaces often need a power supply to light, but most have a backup system in case of a power outage.
Absolutely—if no gas line runs near your fireplace, a licensed plumber or gas fitter can extend service for $260 to $820, with most homeowners spending an average of $540. Costs rise if your home lacks a main gas line, but professional installation guarantees leak-free connections, code compliance, and safe operation—critical when you’re dealing with combustible fuel.
No, electric fireplaces can’t be retrofitted for gas because they lack the venting, combustion chamber, and safety components needed for a gas flame. Switching to gas means removing the electric unit and installing an entirely new fireplace, vent, and gas line—an extensive project that often costs more than starting fresh with a purpose-built gas model.
Yes, gas fireplaces are a more eco-friendly option. Compared with a wood-burning unit, a natural gas fireplace releases roughly half to two-thirds the CO2 per unit of heat and far fewer particulates. That cleaner burn means better indoor air quality, less creosote buildup, and higher overall efficiency—benefits for both your home and the environment.
