we have a home built in 2000 with a propane firepace
we have lots of hardwood for firewood
how costly would it be to replace the propane until with a wood burning unit?
the fireplace sits on an exterior wall and is vented above the roof
i don't know what kind of chimney was used
The best quote I've received is $1800 to do the reverse - switch from a single 200 year old wood burning fireplace to a double level (new second floor) propane fireplace (first and second floors on same flue/vent). That involves pulling down the ancient set up and installing the flue/vent from scratch. I would expect it would cost a lot more to make a "real" chimney/flue, etc. from a vent, but who knows? Maybe you had a real hearth and chimney installed?
you will have to get chimney inspected, it may not woprk for wood
I'd talk with a professional chimney guy. Most would probably come out to inspect your fireplace and advise as it could be some business for them. I personally went through three of them before finding the one I did business with. He also did work of 2 of my sons with their fireplace problems.
If you are going to want to get some heat with the wood, you will have to go one step past just converting the fireplace to wood, you will need a fireplace insert. If you just convert to an open wood fireplace you will find it will have a negative effect on your heating bill since open wood fireplaces tend to suck heated air from the home with reckless abandon.
When a contractor does an install of an insert they will do a relining of the chimney anyway on the install, so in the quote process the hearth contractor will let you know what you are facing for cost and if your current chimney will do the trick for an insert unit.
In the meantime, if that gas fireplace is a gas log fireplace you will probubly find that the damper was either diabled or removed. You are going to want to get a chimney balloon into your flue to prevent heat loss while you are ordering your insert or planning your next step. Good quality inserts are on backorder for about 4 months right now, so it may be a wait for you if you go that route.
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