A gas fireplace gives a real flame at the turn of a knob, with no wood to buy, no ash and no smoke in the lounge. Units range from built in fires behind glass to freestanding stoves and gas log sets that sit in an existing hearth. Before choosing one, check the venting: whether the room has a chimney or flue, and how fresh air gets in. Most gas fireplaces are piped to cylinders outside and need a CoC. Describe your room and local installers will send free quotes, with no obligation.
Flued and flueless gas fires
A flued gas fireplace takes its combustion gases out through a chimney or a dedicated flue, so the room stays clear. A flueless fire burns in the room, relying on a clean burn and ventilation; it is easier to place but has stricter limits on room size and air supply, and is not suitable for every room. A badly vented gas appliance can produce carbon monoxide, so let the installer decide which type your room can take, and fit a carbon monoxide alarm either way.
Built in, freestanding and gas log sets
- Built in: a firebox set into a wall or chimney breast, often with glass in front and a wide flame.
- Freestanding: a stove style unit on its own legs or plinth, connected to a flue pipe.
- Gas log sets: ceramic logs and a burner that sit in an open fireplace, using the existing chimney.
- Wall mounted: slim units hung on a wall, often in flats and townhouses.
Converting a wood fireplace
Many homes convert an old wood fireplace to gas with an insert or a log set. The chimney must be swept and checked for cracks and blockages, the damper fixed open or removed as the unit requires, and a gas line brought in. The installer will check the chimney draws properly before signing off. A conversion keeps the look of the hearth while ending the wood, ash and smoke. Ask whether the unit you like is approved for the chimney you have, and whether glass doors or a screen come with it. Old fireplaces sometimes need a new liner before gas can go in.
Piping, cylinders and the CoC
Gas fireplaces usually run from 48 kg cylinders standing outside, often two on a changeover valve, piped through the wall to an isolating valve beside the fire. This is a fixed gas installation, so an SAQCC Gas registered practitioner must fit and test it and issue a CoC. Keep the certificate; it is asked for if you sell the house. See gas compliance certificates.
What to include in your request
- Room size and ceiling height
- Existing chimney or no chimney
- Built in, freestanding or a log set
- Where cylinders could stand outside
- Ask for a carbon monoxide alarm price
Gas Fireplaces for different clients
- Homeowners: a gas log set replacing wood in the lounge fireplace of a family home
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: wall mounted gas fires in townhouses where wood smoke is not allowed
- Restaurants, takeaways and bakeries: a gas fireplace warming a restaurant dining room on winter evenings
- Guest houses, lodges and venues: lodge lounges and guest suites with a gas fire instead of wood
- Farms and smallholdings: farmhouse living rooms converted from wood to gas in cold districts
- Factories, warehouses and workshops: reception areas and boardrooms with a built in gas fire
- Campers, caravanners and event hosts: mountain holiday homes heated with a gas fireplace over long weekends
- Gas installers, plumbers and dealers: builders and interior designers specifying gas fires in new homes
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas fireplace cost?
Do I need a chimney for a gas fireplace?
Can I convert my wood fireplace to gas?
How do I get gas fireplace quotes?
Gas Fireplaces by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg