Upgrading your fireplace with an efficient insert is one of the smartest home improvements you can make. These powerful units are designed to capture and radiate heat that would otherwise be lost up the chimney, turning a decorative focal point into a serious heat source. This not only creates a warmer, more comfortable living space but can also significantly reduce your reliance on your primary heating system, leading to lower energy bills.
With options ranging from modern electric models to high-output wood and gas inserts, finding the right one for your home and needs is crucial. Efficiency comes in many forms, whether it’s the zero-heat-loss of a vent-free gas unit, the customizable zone heating of an electric insert, or the advanced combustion technology of a modern wood stove. Our roundup of the best fireplace inserts will help you identify the perfect model to maximize warmth and minimize waste.
Our Recommended Fireplace Inserts for Maximum Efficiency
- GreatCo Gallery Series Insert Electric Fireplace
- Ashley Hearth AGVF340LP Vent-Free Propane Gas Firebox
- Touchstone Smart Electric Fireplace-The Sideline
- ClassicFlame 36″ Traditional Built-in Electric Fireplace Insert
- Valuxhome Electric Fireplace, 36 Inches Fireplace Insert
- US Stove Company FireBrick Wood Stove Ceramic Fire Bricks
- Convection Fan Blower for Regency Fireplace Insert
- Vermont Castings Defiant Encore Spark Screen
- HearthSense CSW24HVL Natural Gas Vented Fireplace Logs Set
- Drolet Escape 1800 Insert Wood Stove
GreatCo Gallery Series Insert Electric Fireplace
This 42-inch electric fireplace insert from GreatCo offers a stylish and efficient way to add warmth and ambiance to your living space. Its generous surround makes it an excellent choice for fitting into a standard fireplace opening, instantly updating the look of your hearth. The electric operation means 100% of the heat generated goes directly into your room, with no energy loss through venting.
Operating this insert is straightforward, providing both visual appeal and functional zone heating. You can enjoy the realistic flame effects with or without the heater, making it a year-round feature for your home. This flexibility allows you to create a cozy atmosphere during the summer months without adding unwanted heat, contributing to overall energy savings.
Ashley Hearth AGVF340LP Vent-Free Propane Gas Firebox
The Ashley Hearth vent-free gas firebox stands out for its impressive heating capacity and exceptional efficiency. Delivering 34,000 BTUs, this unit is powerful enough to heat spaces up to 1,200 square feet, making it a primary heat source for many rooms. Its vent-free design means all the heat produced remains inside your home, with no loss through a chimney or flue.
This model is designed for integration with your home’s climate control system, as its hidden controls are hook-up ready for any standard millivolt thermostat. This allows for automated temperature regulation, ensuring the unit only runs when needed to maintain your desired comfort level. The included one-inch hook-up hose simplifies the propane connection process for a straightforward installation.
Touchstone Smart Electric Fireplace-The Sideline
The Touchstone Sideline is a premium, smart electric fireplace designed for recessed in-wall mounting, offering both modern aesthetics and advanced functionality. With 30 realistic ember color and flame options, along with log and crystal hearth options, it provides extensive customization to match your room’s decor. Its WiFi and Alexa enablement allow for seamless integration into your smart home ecosystem.
Efficiency is a key feature of the Sideline, with a 1,500-watt heater that includes a thermostat for precise temperature control. The unit can operate with or without heat, allowing you to enjoy the ambiance year-round without affecting your home’s temperature. Its design ensures the sides and back remain cool to the touch, focusing heat output into the room where it’s needed most.
ClassicFlame 36″ Traditional Built-in Electric Fireplace Insert
ClassicFlame’s 36-inch electric fireplace insert combines a traditional aesthetic with efficient modern heating technology. Its 4,400 BTU heater provides effective supplemental zone heating for areas up to 400 square feet, allowing you to lower the thermostat for your central heating system. This targeted approach can lead to noticeable savings on your energy bills during colder months.
User control is a highlight of this model, featuring both a multifunctional remote and a wall-mounted thermostat. This system lets you set and maintain your room’s temperature between 60°F and 90°F, ensuring consistent comfort without wasted energy. The 120-volt operation means it can plug into a standard household outlet, avoiding the need for special electrical wiring in most cases.
Valuxhome Electric Fireplace, 36 Inches Fireplace Insert
The Valuxhome 36-inch electric fireplace insert is designed for both visual appeal and heating performance. It provides supplemental heat for rooms up to 400 square feet, with a 5,000 BTU output that can warm a space quickly. The unit employs LED technology for its flame effects, which consume minimal electricity while providing a realistic ambiance.
This model includes a unique fire crackling sound feature, enhancing the authentic feel of a wood-burning fireplace without the associated mess or heat loss. With five flame brightness levels and three top light colors, you can customize the appearance to suit your mood. The overheating protection adds a layer of safety and energy management, ensuring the unit operates only within its efficient design parameters.
US Stove Company FireBrick Wood Stove Ceramic Fire Bricks
While not a complete insert, these replacement fire bricks from US Stove Company are essential for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your wood-burning stove or insert. Fire bricks line the interior of wood stoves, serving as insulation that keeps heat within the combustion chamber. This results in higher temperatures for more complete burning and better heat transfer to your home.
Replacing worn or cracked fire bricks is a crucial maintenance task for any wood stove owner. Damaged bricks allow heat to escape into the stove’s body instead of your living space, reducing overall efficiency. This set of 12 standard-sized ceramic bricks helps restore your stove’s original performance, ensuring maximum heat output from your wood fuel.
Convection Fan Blower for Regency Fireplace Insert
This convection fan blower is a replacement part designed to restore and enhance the efficiency of compatible Regency, Osburn, and other fireplace inserts. A functioning blower is critical for moving heat from the insert’s body into your room, rather than letting it radiate slowly or be lost up the chimney. Without an effective blower, even the best wood-burning insert cannot reach its full heating potential.
The unit features a 100% ball bearing construction, which ensures longer life and quieter operation compared to sleeve bearing models. With dual speeds (80/135 CFM), it allows you to control how aggressively heat is circulated. The included rubber mounting feet further reduce noise and vibration, making for a more pleasant heating experience while maximizing heat distribution throughout your space.
Vermont Castings Defiant Encore Spark Screen
This replacement spark screen for Vermont Castings woodstoves plays an important role in both safety and efficiency. When you want to enjoy the radiant heat from your fire while containing sparks and embers, a properly fitted screen is essential. It allows you to open the stove door slightly for increased heat radiation into the room without compromising safety.
The screen’s specific dimensions ensure a correct fit for the Defiant Encore model, maintaining the stove’s designed airflow characteristics when used appropriately. It’s important to note that this screen is only approved for units with an 8-inch chimney pipe, not 6-inch models. Using the correctly sized components helps maintain the stove’s draft and combustion efficiency.
HearthSense CSW24HVL Natural Gas Vented Fireplace Logs Set
The HearthSense natural gas log set offers a high-output heating solution with a traditional appearance. Producing 55,000 BTUs, this set can heat spaces up to 2,000 square feet, making it suitable for larger rooms or open floor plans. The U-burner chassis design creates multiple rows of flames for a realistic visual effect that closely mimics a wood fire.
This is a vented gas log set, meaning it must be installed in a masonry fireplace or vented firebox with the flue open during operation. While some heat is lost through the chimney, the substantial 55,000 BTU output ensures plenty of warmth reaches your living space. The set includes eight hand-painted refractory ceramic logs designed for long-lasting performance and an authentic look.
Drolet Escape 1800 Insert Wood Stove
The Drolet Escape 1800 is a wood-burning insert designed to bring modern combustion efficiency to an existing fireplace. While specific features require verification from the manufacturer, wood stove inserts like this typically incorporate advanced baffle systems and air wash technology to ensure more complete wood combustion. This results in more heat from less wood and reduced creosote buildup.
By fitting into your existing fireplace opening, this insert captures heat that would normally be lost up the chimney and radiates it into your home. Many modern wood inserts, including likely this Drolet model, feature blower systems that actively circulate warm air. This combination of efficient combustion and effective heat distribution makes a wood insert one of the most cost-effective heating solutions for homes with access to firewood.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Fireplace Inserts for Efficiency
I know shopping for a new fireplace insert can feel a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of options, and it’s a significant investment. But focusing on efficiency is the smartest move you can make. A highly efficient insert doesn’t just look good; it turns your existing fireplace from a heat-waster into your home’s primary heat source. Let’s break down what I look for when considering the best fireplace inserts for efficiency.
First, you need to decide on your fuel type. This is the biggest fork in the road. Wood-burning inserts give you that classic crackle and aroma, and modern EPA-certified models are incredibly clean and efficient. Pellet inserts burn compressed wood pellets and are highly efficient; they often include a thermostat for precise temperature control and can even self-feed fuel from a hopper. Gas inserts, whether natural gas or propane, are the ultimate in convenience. With just a flip of a switch or a remote click, you have instant fire and steady, controllable heat.
Once you’ve picked a fuel, the next step is to understand the efficiency ratings. This number is non-negotiable. Look for the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. This tells you what percentage of the fuel’s energy is converted into usable heat for your home. For wood and pellet inserts, a rating above 70% is excellent. For gas inserts, you want to see numbers in the 70-85% range. A higher AFUE means more heat for your money and less waste going up the chimney.
Another critical spec is the BTU output. This measures the raw heating power. A model with a very high BTU rating might sound great, but if your room is small, it will just make you uncomfortably hot and cause the unit to cycle inefficiently. Conversely, a low-BTU unit in a large, open space will run constantly without ever getting the room warm. I always try to match the BTU output to the square footage I need to heat.
Beyond the numbers, I also consider the features. A variable-speed blower is a game-changer. It quietly pushes warm air into your room and you can adjust the fan speed to control both the heat distribution and the noise level. A good air wash system is crucial for wood and pellet models, as it keeps the glass clean so you can enjoy the view of the flames. And for gas inserts, I always look for options with realistic ceramic fiber logs and glowing ember beds to get that authentic fireplace feel without the mess.
FAQ
What is the most efficient type of fireplace insert?
This is a common question, and the answer depends on how you define “efficient.” In terms of pure heat output per unit of fuel, modern EPA-certified wood inserts and pellet inserts often have the highest efficiency ratings, sometimes exceeding 80%. Pellet inserts are particularly efficient because they meter fuel very precisely. However, gas inserts are incredibly efficient in terms of convenience and controlled heat output with zero waste from startup. For many homeowners, the best fireplace inserts for efficiency balance high AFUE ratings with the practical efficiency of their preferred fuel type and lifestyle.
Can I install a fireplace insert myself?
I strongly advise against a DIY installation. While the unit itself might seem straightforward to place, the venting system is complex and critical for safety. A professional installer will ensure the liner is correctly sized and properly sealed, that all clearances to combustible materials are met, and that the unit is connected to gas or electricity safely and according to local codes. An improper installation can lead to house fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and will likely void your manufacturer’s warranty.
How much does a high-efficiency fireplace insert cost?
The total cost can vary widely based on the unit and the complexity of the installation. You can expect the insert itself to range from about $2,500 for a basic model to over $5,000 for a top-of-the-line unit with all the features. The professional installation, which includes the venting liner, labor, and any necessary electrical or gas work, can often cost another $2,000 to $4,000. It’s a significant investment, but the savings on your heating bills and the increase in your home’s value can make it worthwhile.
Will an insert really heat my whole house?
It depends on the size of your house and the insert’s capacity. A powerful insert is absolutely capable of being the primary heat source for a well-insulated home of around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, especially if it’s an open floor plan. The heat will naturally rise and flow into adjacent rooms. For larger or multi-story homes, it can dramatically reduce your reliance on your central furnace, acting as a powerful zone heater for your main living area and taking a big chunk out of your heating bill.
Do I need to clean the glass on an efficient insert?
You will, but a lot less than you might think. Modern inserts, especially wood-burning ones, are designed with something called an air wash system. This technology directs a sheet of air down the inside of the glass, which helps keep soot and creosote from sticking. You’ll still get some light film over time, but it usually wipes away easily. Gas inserts typically burn very cleanly and may not require glass cleaning for an entire season.
How often does a pellet insert need to be filled?
The frequency depends entirely on the size of the hopper and the heat setting you use. A standard 40-pound hopper on a medium heat setting might need a refill every 12 to 24 hours. If you’re running it on a low setting, it could last a couple of days. On a high heat setting during very cold weather, you might be filling it daily. Some higher-end models have larger hoppers, and you can even get auxiliary hoppers that extend the time between refills to several days.