Gas Fireplaces: When to Repair vs. When to Replace

If your hearth isn’t working like you want it to, or if it simply looks dated in your home, you may be torn between replacing and repairing it. And you wouldn’t be the first person to end up in this position. “Just like your furnace, fireplaces aren't meant to last forever,” says Monica Turner, gas fireplace category manager at Hearth & Home Technologies.

According to Bill Baier, owner of Country Stove & Fireplace in Sussex, Wisconsin, when it does come time to deal with a fireplace that’s no longer a perfect fit, the options can feel overwhelming. “People don't realize what options that they have, and that's why they visit our store,” Baier says. “We have the ability to explain all of it.”

With a little research and some help from the experts, choosing between repairing and replacing your past-its-prime gas fireplace doesn’t have to be a daunting decision.

When Should You Consider Repairing or Replacing a Gas Fireplace?

Some common situations where homeowners will need to choose to repair or replace their gas fireplace are:

• Lifestyle changes: Working from home and other lifestyle adjustments may mean a change in how, or how often, you want to use your hearth. For example, Baier says that many of his customers are recent empty-nesters updating their homes to better suit their own needs. “The thing that we hear most is that they simply want to be comfortable and update their living space, and the fireplace is always part of that.”
• Purchasing a new home: Perhaps you inherited an old or nonfunctional gas fireplace, or one that doesn’t quite match your personal style.
• A remodel or update to your current home: A new look or a new room function may trigger a fireplace repair or replacement (for example, turning a former guest bedroom into a home office or finishing a basement). Baier also points out that older hearths may have components that can date the room once you’ve acquired new decor or furniture.
• Preparing to sell a home: A working, up-to-date fireplace can set your home apart on the market. According to the National Center for Real Estate Research, fireplaces can increase the value of the average home by up to 12 percent. Almost 70 percent of real estate agents surveyed by Angie’s List in 2016 said they see a value increase if a home contains a fireplace. Ensuring that the hearth is fully functional and looks great can help your home appeal to more buyers.
• A non-operational or malfunctioning fireplace

Where to Start and What to Expect

No matter what the situation, Turner and Baier recommend contacting a local authorized Heat & Glo dealer as soon as possible once you know your gas fireplace may need either service or a replacement. “We have reliable, vetted, trustworthy partners who want to help you,” says Turner. “There's fire involved, so there's just a lot of things to consider. And when you start talking about venting and different types of fireplaces, it can get complex, fast.”

Even if you’re completely unsure of which way you’ll go, reach out to an expert anyway—and don’t feel bad for going in undecided, Baier says. For Country Stove & Fireplace customers who are in this position with their hearth,“'undecided' is the norm,” he notes. Baier says most of his undecided customers ultimately opt for fireplace replacement, but a good hearth dealer will walk you through the process to suss out the right option for your needs, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and budget. Along the way they’ll ask plenty of questions, such as:

• How old is your fireplace? Hearth technology changes rapidly, so a complete upgrade may be worth it if your hearth is older.
• How long do you plan to stay in your home? Thinking about your long-term real estate plans can help you find the right solution.
• How—and how often—will you use your fireplace? Will it be used as a heating source in cold weather, for zone heating or for occasional ambiance or entertaining?
• What is the condition of your current fireplace and surround? Is the hearth non-operational, working but in need of service, or still functioning safely? When was the last time you had it serviced? Are your surround materials showing signs of wear?
• How does the design of your fireplace and surround fit (or not) into your decor style? Think about what your home looks like now and whether you plan to update it in the future. Design updates to a fireplace often lead to a full replacement.

When to Repair a Gas Fireplace

The experts agree that repairs typically are reserved for strictly functional improvements: A fireplace that still looks nice and functions, but just needs tweaking or replacement parts. Repairing will make your fireplace work, however it won’t always significantly improve it.

Repairing a hearth simply means, “trying to extend the life of the fireplace with new components,” says Baier. “It doesn't really change the look of the fireplace. It doesn't really change the functionality or the efficiency of it.”

“With a repair, you're just making an existing fireplace function better,” adds Turner.

For older fireplaces, especially those for which replacement is inevitable, this could be akin to putting your hearth on life support—or like buying new parts for a vehicle that’s rusting or has high mileage. It can be done, but it’s worth looking at all options before committing to repair.

Repairing your gas fireplace may be the better option if:

• The existing fireplace still fits your home aesthetically
• There’s a minor mechanical problem or broken part
• The current fireplace is still somewhat new
• You’re happy with the features of your current fireplace

If a gas fireplace does only need adjustments, it’s important not to put those repairs off. While hearth repair may have a reputation for being expensive—which is likely the reason many people deprioritize it—“there are different options within your budget,” Turner says. While every situation is different, of course, “there's probably something [a dealer] can do to get that fireplace working for a couple of hundred dollars.”

When to Replace a Gas Fireplace

• The fireplace is out of date
• It needs significant or constant repair
• You also want to replace or update the facing or surround material
• You plan to sell your home
• You want to use your fireplace more
• You want the latest gas hearth features

Baier notes that the aesthetics of your fireplace’s surround can be a big driving factor for a change. If the face needs significant work, it’s probably better to dive in and replace the whole hearth. “In older homes, normally the face or the front of a fireplace may have polished brass, or it may look very, very old,” he says. “So that normally prompts us to replace a facing—which, if you decide to do that, it only makes sense to replace the fireplace at the same time.” The same goes for flooring: “When [customers] have made the decision to get new flooring, it just seems more plausible that they would replace the fireplace as well.”

Benefits of Replacing a Gas Fireplace

If you do decide to replace your gas fireplace, there are many benefits:

• The latest tech options. “By upgrading and [doing] a full replacement of your fireplace, you're able to get the newest and latest technology” such as such as touch controls, passive heat, heat management systems and WhisperTone technology, Turner says. Baier adds, “Usually the driver [for a new fireplace] is the new technology—all of that is a big driver for customers to replace the fireplace.”
• A more contemporary look. Design improvements can result in major work, at which point it’s often better just to replace the fireplace. Turner gives the example of the sophisticated black glass found in the popular Heat & Glo 6000 series: “You can't just put that on an old fireplace. Or if you want different-looking logs, you can't change the way that the logs look in the fireplace. You have to buy the fireplace.”
• A better return on investment. “The return on updating your home is extremely beneficial because it gives you options that you normally wouldn't have if you chose not to update,” says Baier, pointing out that newer fireplaces have better efficiency and help “bring your house up to more contemporary standards.”
• Peace of mind. Having a new fireplace will take the pressure off to worry about repairs or having to replace it later. “If you ever decide to sell your home, it's one aspect that you then don't have to worry about,” Baier adds. “You just give yourself more flexibility to do what you choose with your home going forward.”

How to Get Started

To begin the process of replacing your gas fireplace, Baier suggests checking out products on the Heat & Glo website to get a feel for the style and price range you want. Social media such as Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz also can lend inspiration.

When you’re ready to reach out to a dealer, you can even start the process from the comfort of your home. Baier recommends beginning by taking a lot of photos. “Of the most useful tools that we have for people to get the ball rolling, one is for them to take full-size pictures of their fireplaces, and we can discuss virtually,” he says.

In addition to its Sussex location, Country Stove & Fireplace also is setting up a virtual showroom where customers can peruse each individual unit—including detailed features and benefits—from anywhere, or even get a personalized tour of the showroom via FaceTime. “We can do all of this virtually and it expedites things,” Baier adds.

Both experts agree that it’s to your benefit to act as soon as possible—no matter what you ultimately decide. “The decision to put anything off of a major remodeling project simply means that you open yourself up to increased costs in the future,” Baier explains. “So if you've made the decision to do something, obviously those costs aren't going to go down. Labor rates are increasing. The costs of the products are increasing. And demand is so high right now. If you've made the decision and the commitment to spend the money, it's best to do it sooner rather than later.”