There’s something timeless about the crackle of a real wood fire on a cold winter night. For many homeowners in Metro Detroit, a traditional open masonry fireplace is a cherished part of the home. But while the ambiance is hard to beat, old-school fireplaces aren’t always the most efficient way to heat your home. That’s where wood-burning fireplaces come in.
Motown Fire is the go-to fireplace specialist in Auburn Hills, MI, Troy, MI, Rochester Hills, MI, Ferndale, MI, Birmingham, MI, Royal Oak, MI, and the surrounding areas. We have a beautiful showroom where you can browse working fireplaces and talk to qualified experts who can guide you to get the best system for your home and budget.
What Is a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert?
A wood-burning fireplace insert is a fireproof steel or cast iron box that fits into the opening of an existing masonry fireplace. It’s designed to contain and control a wood fire while improving heating efficiency. These inserts come with an insulated glass door and often feature a blower fan to push warm air into the room.
Unlike traditional fireplaces, which allow much of the heat to escape up the chimney, an insert is a sealed system. It burns wood more efficiently and radiates far more heat into your home, not up the flue. Many models are EPA-certified, meaning they meet strict environmental standards for emissions.
Are Fireplace Inserts Superior to Traditional Fireplaces?
In terms of heating efficiency and fuel usage, absolutely. Traditional fireplaces may look beautiful, but they’re notoriously inefficient—some experts say they can lose as much as 85–90% of the fire’s heat through the chimney. Not only that, but they can draw warm air out of your house as they pull oxygen in to keep the fire going.
A wood-burning insert flips this dynamic. With their sealed combustion system and controlled airflow, inserts can achieve efficiency ratings of 65–75% or higher. That means you’ll use less wood while enjoying more heat. Inserts also produce fewer emissions and less creosote buildup, making them safer and better for air quality, both indoors and out.
Another point in favor of inserts: many come with built-in fans that distribute warm air evenly through the room. Traditional fireplaces mostly warm the area directly in front of them and have trouble heating larger spaces.
That said, some people still prefer the look and feel of an open fire. You do lose the open hearth aesthetic with a glass-front insert, and the sound and smell of burning wood aren’t quite as prominent.
Why You Might Want a Wood-Burning Insert
If you’re tired of your drafty fireplace or want to reduce your reliance on your central heating system, a wood-burning insert is a smart investment. Here are a few reasons homeowners consider the upgrade:
Better Heating Efficiency
A traditional fireplace is more for ambiance than actual warmth. If you want real supplemental heat during the winter, an insert will give you far better performance.
Lower Heating Costs
Using an insert to heat your home can help cut down on your energy bills. Burning wood is often cheaper than running your furnace, especially if you have a source of free or low-cost firewood.
Eco-Friendly Heating
Modern inserts burn wood much more cleanly than traditional fireplaces, thanks to advanced combustion systems. That means fewer pollutants in the air and less creosote buildup in your chimney.
Increased Safety
The sealed design of an insert reduces the risk of sparks or embers escaping into your living room. It also prevents backdrafts that can pull smoke and harmful gases into your home.
Upgraded Aesthetics
Inserts come in a variety of styles, from rustic to modern. You can dramatically update the look of your fireplace while improving its function at the same time.