How to Install a Fireplace Insert in an Unconventional Opening | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman installs an electric fireplace insert into an unconventional opening with zero clearance.
#ThisOldHouse #AskTOH
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Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: $900 and up
Skill Level: Expert
Tools List for Installing a Fireplace Insert:
Drill driver [amzn.to/3a9Zlpa]
Spade bit [amzn.to/36Wsmme]
Caulking gun [amzn.to/2Rfm3TX]
Pliers [amzn.to/2NpIGUM]
Screwdriver [amzn.to/3a9ZsRC]
Shopping List:
Electric fireplace insert [amzn.to/2uOPYLi]
2x4 dimensional lumber [amzn.to/2Rk4qCm]
Pocket screws [amzn.to/36V8uzE]
Granite slab
Construction adhesive [amzn.to/3a6sqSe]
Wire nuts [amzn.to/2TuKEal]
Steps:
1. Start by identifying an insert that’s the closest fit to the opening. Be sure that it is suited for zero clearance and no venting.
2. Fill in the rest of the opening with a fake hearth. Cut to size some 2x4” dimensional lumber and assemble a frame using pocket screws.
3. Secure the frame to the floor with more screws.
4. Cut a hole in the floor behind the frame for the wiring using a spade bit.
5. Shut the power off at the breaker. Fish the wires for the insert through the basement at the panel and through the floor and through the wood frame for the fake hearth.
6. With the wiring pulled through, secure the granite piece to the top of the frame using construction adhesive.
7. Wire the fireplace insert to the wiring coming up through the floor.
8. Secure the insert to the wall on top of the new fake hearth.
9. Turn the power back on.
Resources:
Heath installed an Allure 32 Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace Insert, which is manufactured by Napoleon Fireplaces (napoleonfireplaces.com/).
Since Heath was unable to find an insert that perfectly matched the strange dimensions of the opening at the house, he built up a frame for a “fake hearth” to fill in the rest of the hole. For this, he used regular pocket screws and 2x4” lumber, which can be found at any home center. Heath got the granite cutoff from LA Tiles | Marble and Granite Design (www.latilesandgranite.com/), though he mentioned that any stone yard would most likely be willing to cut and edge a piece of stone if they were provided with the correct dimensions.
The other tools and materials Heath used to install and connect the electric fireplace insert, including the wiring, fish tape, wire nuts, and screwdriver, can all be found at home centers and electrical supply houses.
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Eaton and Eastman Electric (www.eatonandeastmanelectric.com/).
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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Keywords:
This Old House, Ask This Old House, DIY, Home Improvement, DIY Ideas, Renovation, Renovation Ideas, How To Fix, How To Install, How To Build, electrical, Heath Eastman, fireplace insert, zero clearance
Watch the full episode:
www.thisoldhouse.com/watch/st...
How to Install a Fireplace Insert in an Unconventional Opening | Ask This Old House
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[@benleaper6451]

The brown piece of wood should be primed and painted bright White. Then put white crown trim in front of that piece around all the edges for a finished look.

[@ThatSuzanneSchmid]

Agree. It looks really strange

[@TheGibby13]

Came here for the comments... Not disappointed!

[@somebody655]

Removed a section in my camper where the entertainment area is and installed. Works great. Instead of propane furnace heat, I can use this kzbin.infoUgkxATHBlMJwipGgVWseuAFKvDQ_5R4_lywo to heat the camper as long as it's hooked up to shore power. Only thing I do not like is there does not seem to be a thermostat. I'm presuming it has a built-in one so it does not overheat. Really like all the other color options it has to offer.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Nice work, but why not just make the box white to match the rest of the mantle surround?

[@southbridgeforestHOA]

yep

[@tessjones5987]

My 1928 chimney is leaning. This is just the instruction I needed to make the change from vented to electric. Thanks.

[@JoePJack1]

Those electric fireplaces are awesome. Mine kept me warm for 14 seconds the last time my electricity went out.

[@Peter-.H]

Well, i mean, 14 seconds is better than nothing ....i guess.🥴

[@jwill9877]

That's longer than I got out of one 😂

[@ismailm5940]

Electric way cheaper and better than repairing old chimney cost you thousands of dollars Buy a small generator and transfer switch lot cheaper than chimney

[@wkbeats]

I was going to have friends come over and watch paint dry but this fireplace is much more exciting

[@chrisfi3d]

Jay Brown - missed the reference.

[@askurmom1]

I absolutely DO NOT like how that looks. The stained board on the bottom would have looked better if it was white to match the rest of the fireplace. OR, maybe put the insert more at floor level and have the white wood on top. But, hey if the home owner is happy that's all that counts. ...I guess.

[@askurmom1]

@@NShores yea, the unfinished edge on a granite was a mistake also, But, it was a small one compared to everything else they did wrong here.

[@joshuaychung]

I was just assuming that the homeowner would paint it white after the TOH team leaves. He probably didn't want to be a jerk.

[@dalesworld1308]

Smiley homeowner will paint it no doubt.

[@a.l9313]

I didn't like that they didn't show the homeowner finishing that bare wood. Also the stone sticking out looks funny.

[@l3ender15]

Glad to see they've got safety glasses on for wiring...

[@wendellmonster6179]

Beautiful

[@Roderick_Legato]

1:31 Non sequitur. You want to keep the thermostat turned down, but you're okay with running a resistive heater?

[@Engineer9736]

😂

[@jm-lc3jp]

Why not? They were talking about 'the room you are in'. As long as 'his friends' are in the same room, and depending on what 'turned down' means, he can DEFINITELY save money heating a room as opposed to a house even it it's a 'restrictive heater' as you say.

[@Roderick_Legato]

"resistive"

[@DVD927]

He did shake his head while saying he is a miser with the thermostat. Mixed messages in his non verbal communication. It was all extremely uncomfortable to watch

[@galeworthington6358]

I’m glad I watched this. I got a quote from a Fireplace store at $10,000 for a conversion. Obviously he didn’t want the business.

[@aliza9608]

Nice job

[@MookieMan1]

He sounds like Terry from Reno 911

[@Nill757]

C’mon. It’s an electric heater with flashing lights to justify a 10x or 20x increase in price over a $50 heater.

[@KE5ZZO]

Mark Heslep it’s a freaking flatscreen tv

[@juanvaladez3733]

This is cool I would love to pay for this setup only for me to help out with the installation too.

[@davids2928]

Everyone throwing some serious shade. Maybe you don't like it, but the video showed how to fit an existing off the shelf fireplace into a larger opening. I think it looks odd but better than how it looked originally.

[@galeworthington6358]

Good to see constructive criticism for a change!

[@napoleonsmith7793]

THAT IS NOT A FIREPLACE INSERT. THAT IS A BOX ON THE WALL.

[@jaybrown3953]

Your darn right. It's nothing more than a flat screen TV that's stuck on 1 channel.

[@ShirleyAerial]

If you needed to make a custom surround/trim for electric fireplace is wood trim acceptable? Or does it have to be metal?

[@c0mputer]

If it’s a zero clearance electric fireplace then wood is fine.

[@futbol1972]

I have a square gas fireplace with tile around it. I would like to know if I can make it rectangular that way I have more space avobe for my TV and maybe add a beam or a small mantle? I will also take tile down and update it. House was built in 2005. Will this be too expensive to change opening shape of fireplace?

[@southbridgeforestHOA]

did you even watch the video? it shows how to make the opengins smaller.

[@mpwall123]

He bought that house because of the fire place opening? Good god almighty

[@luckyskitchen4472]

LMAO......

[@augustreil]

@@NShores, Holy...Now that's funny !!

[@Newberntrains]

No wonder my house never had any offers when i got it NO FIREPLACE OPENING!! Im sure it will add 120k to the value quick Grab the sledge

[@misterj1396]

He probably liked it because it had a fireplace

[@cghrios783]

😅😅😅😅

[@AxcelGamer97]

Not for me.

[@rowwitt6969]

I have electric fireplace with remote control. Now I want to use smart plug but have to disconect remote control. Please teach me how to disconect control function. Thanks

[@dunckeroo1987]

Of course, because of the closeness of the buildings, a gas fire place would have meant running a stack up to the roof.

[@augustreil]

A piece of stone around the bottom, sides and top would have made a much bigger difference, but oh well...what he won't like, is his electric bill !!

[@wabashstudio]

Well thats real ugly.

[@jaybrown3953]

Faux fireplace. How not nice.

[@Furiends]

Yeah it looks pretty awful. I think it'd be worlds better if he just painted the wood at the bottom.

[@LH-kz2nf]

I've got a buddy that does tattoos and airbrushes T-shirts. He could have hooked him up with a piece of plywood with flames painted on it for a 12pk

[@joannehaberkorn1304]

When he ran the electric up to the fireplace, what did he tie it into downstairs?

[@Urmom-ub6db]

The main electrical panel.

[@norrisbutler1738]

the problem with electric fires is the cost of the power which will increase dramatically

[@askurmom1]

That depends where you live. My city produces it's own electricity from damns and electricity here is far cheaper than surrounding cities and it's actually cheaper (here) to use electric, rather than gas or oil. So it really depends on where you live.

[@Engineer9736]

If you just use the display and not the heating function then the power usage should be no more than like 100 watts. Use the central heating of your home which is way more efficient.

[@norrisbutler1738]

b8e71fcbe2e195c67d8d16734013d20f but there is the fault with your thinking..if you are installing an electric fireplace because it looks pretty and are not using it to heat i have one valid question which is why would you even waste the money to buy one because to me that is just a waste of money for absolutely nothing

[@1wadup]

What about a vent free fireplace? Similar clearance, and can be an actual fire. Also, I miss Scott too!

[@chewar7537]

I have one and they are horrible. I had the gas disconnected to mine, and going to rip it out. When you have fire and no chimney, just not smart.

[@joyceodd99]

I wish that you can do my home

[@briandjordjevic9969]

He does electric and framing wow he’s good

[@rogerNOmore]

But can it play Crysis?

[@ae1ae2]

What's going on at 2:32 with the electrical tape?

[@Noah-qt3rq]

When you pull wire with a fish tape, you use some electrical tape so it doesn’t get snagged on anything as it’s being pulled

[@rawbacon]

Should've just hung a Disco Ball in that opening then add a $20 heater from Walmart and it would probably look better than that.

[@jaybrown3953]

And they could have a dance party.

[@RichardC5568]

Kind of an awkward video.

[@TheVictorEffect]

Richard C. That’s what makes some of these videos funny to watch 😂 Still enjoyed the build though

[@AdamDaley1]

Right...

[@RichardC5568]

@@TheVictorEffect Agreed.

[@damnoldguy]

It's a t.v. with a heater.....lame

[@NVTGOLD]

Disconnecting means required ??

[@Engineer9736]

Optional. Depends if you like being zapped or not. But without kidding, i think you can just put a plug on the cord. Then you can leave the power on.

[@marcuspd7502]

Honestly, it looks terrible. It looks like it’s sticking out from the mantle and doesn’t match it.

[@slavrenz88]

they didn't finish it! why would you not add a brick or wood surround underneath that ledge that's sticking out?

[@DVD927]

There are units now that look like just the fireplace logs and go into the existing fireplace. In an old home, I’d want to keep the historic look as much as possible. The digital fire representation shown here is not for me.

[@poeticthoughts06]

please paint that lower piece of wood

[@PatrickCSullivan]

Who are all these new people!!

[@Guardducks]

Kind of looks like my 46" TV .

[@donnablackman9167]

The music is obnoxious and maddening. Turn it OFF, please.

[@brendanwilson4876]

Pros get it right.

[@figueredoruley8050]

I started with Woodglut plans.

[@hasbeendrummer]

But, I can't throw my dead dog in THERE!!!

[@SeventiesVet]

Fake fireplaces like this are disgusting. The world is becoming artificial, not real anymore. Why not just install a TV in there playing a video loop of a fire? I thought the point of TOH was restore to the beauty of the original?

[@FredMcIntyre]

😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@chriswalerski9613]

A tv would have looked better than that. Horrendous!

[@jlacson74]

Does not look good.

[@jamesharold891]

Looks like a tv. The fireplace channel looks more convincing.

[@Youtube_ban_me]

this some good o'le white boy activities

[@darylfitz4189]

More technocrap.

[@GregsWorkshopOregon]

Bring back Scott Caron. This guy is awkward on camera.

[@hickorydragon8114]

Yuk

[@wil318466]

This is the funniest yet most awkward TOH video. The homeowner has awful taste, just look at his decorations, his outfit, his haircut, and all his choices (bought the house for the fireplace?). The fireplace itself is god-awful ugly. The logic behind the saving on heat hut using an electric fake fireplace is laughable. And, I don't like making fun of people, but his lisp really brings the whole thing together. The comments are also pure gold.

[@kkhadka2010]

How do I find this insert in Nepal? Does anyone have idea?

[@mommasweet7]

That’s so incredibly unkind.

[@toddhkennedy]

I usually get a lot of good ideas and tips on this channel, but that looks like poop. Yikes

[@FriggOff361]

queer as a football bat

[@williamfabiano9407]

Lame

[@bb3283]

Looks ugly