Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to electric?
Yes — an electric fireplace can go where a wood-burning one used to be, and it's the simplest conversion of all because there's no gas line, no venting, and no chimney work. We seal off the old flue, run power to the opening, and set an electric firebox — often a Dimplex — into the space. You get flame at the flip of a switch, though electric won't heat in an outage.
The simplest conversion — and the one honest catch
Going from wood to electric is the least invasive upgrade on the board. There's no gas line to run, no vent to route, no chimney to reline — an electric firebox makes its flame effect and heat with electricity alone. A Dimplex IgniteXL Bold gives you what we think is the most convincing electric flame on the market, with a flame-only mode for summer so you get the glow without the warmth. The heat is real but supplemental — around 5,000 BTU, enough to take the chill off up to roughly 400 square feet, not enough to heat a whole house. And the honest catch, especially after Helene: an electric fireplace is dead in a power outage. If backup heat matters to you, gas or wood is the better conversion.
What we actually do to the old firebox
Converting the opening is mostly about making the old wood system safe and dormant, then powering the new unit. We seal the flue and block off the damper so you stop bleeding heated air up a cold chimney all winter, and if there was ever a gas line in the firebox, we cap and pressure-test it under permit. Then we bring power to the opening. A plug-in electric unit can often use a nearby outlet, while larger built-in models want their own dedicated circuit — we'll tell you which yours needs. From there the firebox recesses into the old masonry or a framed surround for a clean, flush look.
Who this is really for
We see this most in Asheville homes where a homeowner wants ambiance and a tidy modern wall without the cost or disruption of gas venting — or in rooms where venting a gas unit simply isn't practical. It's low-commitment, low-mess, and there's no combustion to inspect or maintain. Just know what you're getting: a beautiful flame and gentle warmth, not a heater that carries the house or rides out an outage. If you're torn between electric and a power-optional gas insert, call (828) 545-0525 and we'll walk your room with you.
Related questions
- Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to gas?
- Can a gas fireplace be converted back to wood-burning?
- Do electric fireplaces need venting?
- Do electric fireplaces need a dedicated circuit or can they plug into a regular outlet?
- How do you safely close off or decommission an old fireplace?
- Can I put a gas fireplace in my bedroom?
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