Which is Better, a Fireplace Insert or a Freestanding Stove?

Efficient Supreme Fusion Friendly Fires

Efficient Supreme Fusion Friendly Fires

Two of the great options for enjoying the warmth and coziness of wood-burning fires in your home are a fireplace insert and a freestanding stove. Have you narrowed your top choices down to these two?

The following may provide you with just the information that can help you make the perfect pick. It’s definitely safe to relax because both of these modern appliances are excellent sources of heat. It would be tough to make a wrong choice!

Considerations when Choosing a Fireplace Insert or Freestanding Stove

If you have an existing fireplace and chimney, a fireplace insert is likely the best choice. The insert is installed inside the fireplace opening whereas a freestanding stove takes up additional space. Is one of your goals to reduce heating costs as much as possible? If that’s the case, there are more things to consider.

The location of your fireplace can help you make a final decision. Perhaps if the fireplace insert is situated in a central area, your winter fires may provide plenty of household warmth that allows you to cut utility costs by shutting off central heating.

Supreme Fusion 24 Wood Insert Clean Face

Hearthstone Green Mountain 60

If your fireplace is on one end of the home, however, it is doubtful that even an efficient insert that’s correctly installed could provide heat to every room. It is often ideal to install a freestanding wood stove in a central living area.

Wherever they’re installed, both appliances are reliable for providing plenty of heat in winter. Depending on the size of stove, however, a freestanding stove has the potential to do a better job of heating than a fireplace insert.

Efficiency Unique to Fireplace Inserts

Make no mistake, fireplace inserts are highly efficient. When properly installed, the way fireplace inserts operate is that they minimize heat loss and also transfer heat into your home by way of air convection. There is an outer box surrounding the firebox top, bottom, and sides. The airspace is open only to the front. Ultimately, superheated air flows into your home while replacement air is drawn into the bottom of the airspace that surrounds the insert.

Pacific Energy Super

Efficiency Unique to Freestanding Stoves

Freestanding stoves also offer a unique transfer of heat. Unlike the fireplace insert that is enclosed in the hearth, the entire stove is in the open and provides radiant heat that is distributed from the front, sides, and top of the appliance. Although blowers can assist with the efficiency of a fireplace insert, no blower is needed for freestanding wood stoves. Consult with professionals at any of our member stores, to learn about the various materials wood stoves are made with and which ones provide a greater amount of radiant heat.

Pacific Energy Alderlea T5

The Importance of Professional Installation

Professional installation of your new wood-burning appliance is important for several reasons. By having an experienced, trained professional install your appliance, you can be confident that it is safe for you to use. Secondly, proper operation depends upon correct installation. Thirdly, insurance coverage of any possible fire incidents in the future probably depend on the appliances being installed by experts.

Friendly Fires has a full time staff of licensed fireplace installers so you can rest assured your installation will be done right.


Hopefully our tips will help you make the right choice for your home. Which is better for you, a freestanding stove or a fireplace insert? Please leave a comment or a question below and we’ll respond right away!

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