Quick answerA gas fireplace insert in Spokane fits into an existing wood fireplace, vents through a new liner inside the chimney, and burns natural gas or propane in a sealed box. Unlike an uncertified wood fireplace, it can be used during Washington Stage 1 burn bans. We size the insert, run the gas line, pull the permit and test the venting.
Updated September 2026
Why swap a wood fireplace for a gas insert
An open masonry fireplace looks good and heats poorly. Much of the warmth goes up the flue, cold air leaks down it when the fire is out, and the room nearest the fireplace is the only one that feels the difference.
A gas insert is a sealed firebox that slides into the opening. It draws combustion air from outside and vents through a liner inside the old chimney, so room air is not pulled up the flue. With a blower and a wall thermostat, it can heat the main living area on its own, and it starts with a switch instead of kindling.
What changes the price of a gas insert
Fireplace insert work we do
Direct-vent gas inserts
Most inserts we install are direct-vent: two flexible aluminum liners run up the existing chimney, one bringing outside air to the burner and one carrying exhaust out, sealed at the top with a termination cap. Because the firebox is sealed, it does not steal heated air from the house. We measure the opening and the flue size, pick an insert that fits the fireplace and the room, and size it so it does not overheat a small space. Remote or wall thermostats and a blower are usually part of the install.
Gas line and venting
An insert needs a gas supply where the fireplace is, which is often the hardest part of the job in older homes. We run a new branch from the meter or an existing line, size it for the insert alongside the furnace and water heater, and fit a shutoff valve at the fireplace. Washington requires a mechanical permit for this work. Before the insert goes in, we inspect the chimney, clean what needs cleaning, and confirm the liner path is clear.
Old insert replacement
If you already have a gas insert that is twenty or more years old, with a thermocouple that keeps failing, a cracked glass seal or a pilot that will not stay lit, replacing it with a modern unit can add heat output, an intermittent pilot that saves gas, and a quieter blower. We remove the old unit and liner, check the chimney and gas line, and install the new insert and venting to current requirements. If the old liner is in good shape and matches the new insert, we tell you, and it can save part of the cost.
Gas insert, wood insert or leave it open
| What matters | Gas insert | Certified wood insert | Open fireplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use during Stage 1 burn bans | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed unless only heat |
| Heat into the room | High, steady | High | Low |
| Starting and stopping | Switch or remote | Build and tend a fire | Build and tend a fire |
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane | Seasoned wood | Wood |
| Day-to-day upkeep | Little | Ash, wood and chimney sweeping | Ash and chimney sweeping |
Burn bans and long heating seasons
Washington Stage 1 burn bans, issued in Spokane by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and across Stevens, Pend Oreille and Okanogan counties by the Department of Ecology, prohibit uncertified wood fireplaces and inserts unless they are the home's only adequate heat. Natural gas, propane and certified devices are allowed. That is a real difference in how often the fireplace can be used through a Spokane winter, and the install itself goes through a mechanical permit from the city or county office.
How a gas insert install goes
- 1
Measure
Opening, flue size and room size.
- 2
Inspect the chimney
Condition, cleanliness and liner path.
- 3
Choose the insert
Sized to the room, quoted in writing.
- 4
Permit
Mechanical permit filed.
- 5
Run gas
New branch line and shutoff at the fireplace.
- 6
Install
Liners, insert, surround and controls.
- 7
Test
Venting, gas pressure, ignition and leak check.
Gas fireplace insert questions
Can I use a gas insert during a burn ban?
Yes. Washington Stage 1 burn bans allow natural gas and propane devices, along with certified wood and pellet stoves.
Will a gas insert fit my fireplace?
Most standard masonry fireplaces can take one. We measure the opening and flue before recommending a model.
Do I need gas at the fireplace already?
No. We can run a new gas line from the meter or an existing line, sized for everything on the system.
Can a gas insert heat the whole house?
It can carry the main living area, and with a blower it reduces how often the furnace runs. It is not usually a whole-house replacement.
Does it need a permit?
Yes. Washington requires a mechanical permit for gas appliance installs.
What about my old gas insert that keeps going out?
Often a thermocouple or pilot assembly. On older units, replacement can make more sense than repeated repairs.
Other gas & water heating services we handle
Gas Fireplace Repair and Service
Answered 24/7, parts on the truck.
Gas Fireplace Repair and Service detailsChimney Liner Installation
Sized, quoted and permitted.
Chimney Liner Installation in SpokaneGas Line Installation
Sized, quoted and permitted.
How we handle gas line installationMake the fireplace a real heat source.
Call about a gas fireplace insert in Spokane, WA.
