My street is getting natural gas service — what do I need to do with my propane fireplace?
You have three moves: convert the fireplace to natural gas, leave it on propane, or replace it. Most modern gas fireplaces convert with a manufacturer-specific kit — new orifices and a pressure adjustment — plus a natural-gas line run from the new meter to the unit. It's licensed work, and we handle both the conversion and the line.
Weighing the switch
Natural gas along the Asheville and Hendersonville mains usually costs less per BTU than propane, and you stop scheduling refills — the fuel just flows. If a new main reaches your street, converting is often worth it long-term. But it's not automatic: you're paying for the conversion kit and labor, plus a natural-gas line from the meter to your fireplace, and possibly the utility's tap fee. We look at the whole picture — how far the line has to travel, whether your fireplace even has a kit — before recommending a direction. Sometimes staying on propane one more season pencils out; sometimes the switch pays for itself.
What the conversion actually involves
A propane fireplace isn't just hooked to different gas. Propane burns hotter per unit and runs at a higher pressure, so the burner orifices and the regulator are sized for it. To run natural gas safely, those parts change to the kit matched to your exact model — bigger orifices, a natural-gas pressure setting, sometimes a different pilot. Get it wrong and the flame soots or underfires. This is a licensed gas job in North Carolina — we pull the permit with Buncombe or Henderson County, make the change, and pressure-test the line before the inspector signs off.
When replacement beats conversion
If your fireplace is old, discontinued, or the manufacturer never made a natural-gas kit for it, converting may not be possible — and forcing it isn't safe. In that case a new direct-vent unit set up for natural gas from the factory is the cleaner path, and you get a fresh warranty. We'll tell you honestly which camp you're in after we read your model tag. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free assessment, and see our guide at /guides/natural-gas-vs-propane-in-wnc.
How we can help
Related questions
- Can I convert a propane fireplace to natural gas?
- How much does it cost to convert a gas fireplace between natural gas and propane?
- What parts get changed when a fireplace is converted from one gas to the other?
- Do I need a conversion kit specific to my fireplace's brand and model?
- Are all gas fireplaces convertible between natural gas and propane?
- How do I know if my house has natural gas or propane?
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
Free assessments across Western North Carolina — no pressure, straight answers.