My street is getting natural gas service — what do I need to do with my propane fireplace?
In Asheville, most of the city already runs on the natural-gas mains, so if one is finally reaching your block you're likely on a propane pocket — an older Montford lot, a hillside street the main skipped years ago. Your three real options are converting the fireplace, staying on propane, or replacing the unit. We do all three, and our showroom is right here on Emma Road.
The pocket the main missed
Buncombe's mains cover most of Asheville — downtown, North Asheville, much of the west side — but plenty of homes sit on propane because the gas line stopped a few streets short. When the utility extends that main to your curb, converting can end the refill scheduling for good; the fuel simply arrives by meter. Historic Montford and North Asheville houses often have original masonry hearths rather than a sealed propane appliance, which changes the plan — that's a gas insert or log set on a new line, not a parts swap. Newer South Asheville clean-face units usually convert straight from their model's kit.
How the changeover works on a propane unit
A propane fireplace is tuned for its fuel — the burner orifices and regulator meter a hotter, higher-pressure gas, so both have to change to the natural-gas kit built for your exact model. Skip that and the flame either starves or throws soot up the glass. Running gas piping is licensed work in North Carolina; a showroom or a mason can sell the firebox but can't legally connect it. We pull the Buncombe County permit, make the change, pressure-test the line, and meet the inspector. Being headquartered on Emma Road means the assessment and the follow-up are a short drive, not a scheduling ordeal.
Is the switch worth it here?
Not automatically. You're paying for the conversion kit and labor, a natural-gas line from the new meter to the firebox, and possibly the utility's tap fee — so the math depends on how far the line travels and how much you actually burn. For a full-time Asheville household that runs the fireplace through our long, 20s-at-night shoulder seasons, the lower per-BTU cost of natural gas usually earns it back. We'll walk your run and give you a straight answer at a free in-home assessment before you commit to anything. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
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?