Wood Fireplace Inserts
Many times a conventional fireplace becomes less than functional due to build up of crud from many fires or a break down in the bricks. That is why an insert can do so much to take a fireplace that does not provide good heat and make it a very efficient unit once again. And because the insert goes right into the same opening where the firebox is, you can continue to enjoy the pleasures of the hearth and the ambiance of the fireplace itself but feel more secure that your fire is both safe and efficient because it burns entirely in the insert.
Of course, you don't have to use wood as the fuel for your insert. There are inserts that accommodate gas or electric fuel. But many people enjoy the smell and feel of a wood fire and are willing to put up with the expense and cleaning needed to maintain a wood fireplace experience. The important thing is that you make up your mind early on which kind of insert you are going to buy. They are expensive and heavy to install and once you commit to a certain type of insert, you won't want to switch to another fuel.
A fireplace insert that burns wood is essentially a wood burning stove installed in your fireplace opening. Very often, they will fit perfectly in the same chamber where you had wood fires before but sometimes they protrude out onto the hearth. So make sure about the fit because if the insert comes out, there should be a brick or cement base for it to sit on. It will get hot and you don't want it sitting on carpet or a wood floor.
In fact, the best arrangement for the insert is to have a good portion of it protruding so more of the metal sides are open to the air. Then the heat from the fire in the box can radiate in the room more easily. But the good of using a fireplace for the housing of the fire is twofold. First, you can, and should hook up the evacuation pipe of the insert to the chimney so the smoke from the fire flows easily and without leakage up the chimney and out into the air above your home. This is a tricky connection and making sure that installation is well done and reliable is one of the many reasons to go with a professional installation rather than do it yourself.
But more importantly, by using your old fireplace structure to hold your wood burning insert, you maintain the feel of using your fireplace for its purpose and you can enjoy all the comfort and enjoyment of a fire burning in the fireplace while taking advantage of the safety and efficiencies that a good insert will give you.