Did you know that fireplaces are one of the most sought-after amenities in homes for sale? In fact, most buyers are willing to pay more than you’re asking if your home has at least one fireplace in it.  

The popularity of fireplaces isn’t exclusive to single-family homes, either. Buyers and renters alike also prefer the extra ambiance in condos, apartments, and townhomes.  

Here are the top three reasons adding a fireplace inside or outside your home can increase its value and boost its appeal to potential buyers.  

AESTHETIC APPEAL

It’s important to feel at home in your home. When buyers see a fireplace, they instantly begin picturing themselves spending countless evenings curled up in front of the fire.  

A fireplace naturally becomes the main focal point of any space, creating an inviting atmosphere and feelings of nostalgia and luxury.  

Having a cozy place for the whole family to make memories, especially during holidays or colder months, is an asset that helps your home stand out from the rest.  

While fireplaces play a functional role by providing additional warmth, they also send a message of affluence that makes your home feel like the high-end properties found on HGTV. 

You can find a fireplace in any size and style imaginable to complement your interior design, from clean, modern units to traditional-looking models.  

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A fireplace may add more value to your home, depending on where you live. If you reside in an area that experiences harsh temperatures, like the North and Midwest, then you probably know the deflating feeling of high utility bills in the cold, winter months.

Plus, there’s nothing quite like curling up next to a roaring fire as the snow falls outside.  

Installing a modern gas or electric fireplace in the main room of your house adds supplemental heating, which can greatly reduce energy costs, and most buyers are willing to pay more for a house if they understand it will lead to annual savings in energy bills.  

In a 2021 study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, it was found that 57 percent of home buyers would pay $5,000 or more, on top of the original selling price, to save up to $1,000 in utility costs every year.  

If you currently have a wood burning fireplace, you might consider updating it to a gas or electric fireplace insert.  

Gas and electric fireplaces are much more efficient and affordable to run than wood burning models. They’re also more environmentally friendly, which is an important selling point for buyers who prefer green living.  

Updating your wood burning fireplace can improve your property’s Energy Performance Certification, adding a significant amount of money to your original selling price. Not to mention, you’ll eliminate the mess and maintenance associated with real wood fires.  

A fireplace that’s easy to operate and care for is a definite bonus for buyers who are looking for an updated, user-friendly atmosphere. 

FUNCTIONALITY

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cozy place to relax on the patio year-round? We’re sure most home buyers would say, “Absolutely!”  

To increase the functional appeal of your home, offer buyers the option to lounge or entertain their guests outside of the house by adding an outdoor-rated fireplace to your backyard, like these five models. 

Installing a gas or electric fireplace on the patio or deck keeps your outdoor retreat open much longer. With the radiant warmth of a fire to chase away chilly weather, you can enjoy your backyard later into the fall season and open it earlier in the spring.  

If you live in a Southern or warm, coastal climate, an outdoor-rated electric fireplace is the ideal choice, because you’ll be able to operate the flames with the heater turned off for all the ambiance without the extra warmth.  

You can also increase the functionality inside your home with a zero-clearance fireplace. These models can be built into a custom entertainment center to create a unique accent wall that organizes the room and maximizes space.  

WHICH FIREPLACE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Before you choose a fireplace, ask yourself what its primary purpose will be. Are you looking for superior warmth, a chic focal point, or a mixture of both?  

The fireplace you'll want to choose should largely depend on your budget, lifestyle, and the amount of space you have to work with. 

Wood Burning Fireplaces

The soothing crackle and aroma of a wood burning fireplace is hard to beat. However, unless your house already has a working chimney, adding a wood burning fireplace can be an expensive and time-consuming project.  

If heat is a key factor, then a gas or electric fireplace is the best option. While wood burning fireplaces look incredibly cozy, most of the heat they produce is lost up the chimney.  

Wood burning fireplaces also require regular maintenance. They produce smoke, sparks, and ashes that must be swept out of the firebox regularly. Plus, you’ll need to keep a supply of firewood on-hand and have a place to store it.  

If you have an existing wood burning fireplace in your home, here are a few ways you can increase the amount of heat it puts out.

We also recommend purchasing a fireplace door or screen to prevent stray sparks from floating out of the firebox and damaging the floor. 

Adding a decorative fireplace door or screen to your wood burning fireplace is a quick and affordable way to transform a traditional-looking hearth into a modern accent piece.  

Check out our most popular fireplace doors to gain some inspiration for your hearth!  

OUT MOST POPULAR WOOD BURNING FIREPLACES

Gas Fireplaces

In terms of warmth and easy operation, Direct Vent and Ventless gas fireplace reign supreme.  

Available in a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices to match your preference, gas fireplaces are clean-burning and won’t produce any ashes.  

Keep in mind that a Direct Vent gas fireplace will need to be vented horizontally through a wall or vertically through the roof, which may entail some renovations.  

Learn the main differences between Direct Vent and Ventless gas fireplaces here.  

OUR MOST POPULAR GAS FIREPLACES

Electric Fireplaces

The easiest and most affordable way to upgrade your home is with an electric fireplace.  

With no venting or gas line requirements, electric fireplaces are incredibly simple to install.

Most models can be hung directly on the wall and plugged into a standard, 120-volt outlet, or recessed and hardwired into your home’s electrical system. 

Ideal for warmer climates, electric fireplaces usually produce around 5,000 BTUs and can be operated with or without the heat.

They also don’t emit any toxic fumes or emissions, so you can safely put an electric fireplace anywhere inside or outside of the house, including bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, enclosed porches, or covered patios. 

If you install an electric fireplace on your patio or deck, you’ll need to make sure the model you purchase is “outdoor-rated.”  

Discover all the benefits electric fireplaces have to offer here. 

OUR MOST POPULAR ELECTRIC FIREPLACES

Fireplace Inserts

A fireplace insert is a metal box that slides into an existing fireplace opening. Once it’s installed, you can finish your fireplace with a decorative surround to create a seamless look.  

If your existing wood burning fireplace needs a makeover to match the rest of your modern home updates, wood stove inserts maintain the look, feel, and ambiance of a wood fire, while producing more heat and fewer emissions. Most are EPA certified to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's standards for 60-80% fuel-efficiency. 

Gas and electric fireplace inserts are a simple and efficient way to upgrade an outdated wood burning fireplace, while increasing heat output and reducing your carbon footprint. 

Gas inserts are compatible with Natural Gas and Liquid Propane fuels and are available in Direct Vent and Ventless configurations. Most models can also be controlled with a hand-held remote or wall switch, and some even feature a timer and handy thermostatic controls.  

Electric inserts are the most eco-friendly and low-cost option since they don’t burn any fuel and produce zero emissions. Like electric fireplaces, electric inserts can be plugged into a standard outlet, making installation incredibly easy.  

Most electric inserts come with modern features that let you tailor the look of your fireplace whenever you’d like, including LED accent lighting, multi-colored burning displays, adjustable flames, and authentic-looking log sets.  

OUR MOST POPULAR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE INSERTS

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Have more questions about installing a fireplace in your home? We'd love to help! Call our team of NFI certified experts today at 800-919-1904.

MORE RESOURCES:  

Check out our Gas Fireplace Buying Guide to find the best model for your home.  

Boost the safety and style of your wood burning fireplace with one of our top 6 fireplace doors! 

Upgrade your living space without renovations with our Electric Fireplace Buying Guide.