A Real Flame, Without the Firewood.

A gas fireplace or insert installation in Greenwood typically runs $3,500 to $9,500, with the total depending mostly on fuel source and venting. A direct-vent insert going into an existing masonry fireplace with a gas line already run tends to land on the lower end. New construction or a remodel that requires framing a built-in unit, running new gas line, and finishing the surround pushes toward the higher end. Homes outside the Greenwood CPW natural gas footprint that need a new propane tank set should budget extra for the tank and line work—your local dealer can quote this precisely after seeing your setup.

Yes, and it's one of the most requested projects among Greenwood hearth dealers. Many homes in and around the city—especially older ones near downtown and the Lake Greenwood shoreline—have masonry fireplaces originally built to burn oak, pine, or hickory cordwood. With this area's mild winters, most homeowners no longer want the hassle of splitting and hauling wood for occasional use, so a gas insert using a stainless liner through the existing chimney is a popular upgrade. Expect $4,000 to $8,500 depending on the insert and whether the home is already plumbed for natural gas or needs a propane setup instead.

It depends on where in Greenwood County you live. Greenwood CPW provides natural gas service within parts of the city, so homes already connected for cooking or water heating can usually add a fireplace without much extra plumbing. Outside that service area—which covers a good portion of rural Greenwood County served by Little River Electric Cooperative for power—propane is the standard choice, either from an existing residential tank or a new tank set by a local propane supplier. Nearly every gas fireplace on the market can be configured for either fuel, so the decision usually comes down to what's already available at your address.

Most will, with the right ignition system. Ice storms and summer thunderstorms both cause outages in the Upstate, and Duke Energy Carolinas customers in particular know that power can stay off for a while after a bad storm. Units with standing pilot or IPI (intermittent pilot ignition) light and run fine without utility power—IPI models use small AA batteries as backup, so keeping fresh batteries on hand matters. Valor fireplaces go a step further: their pilot generates its own electricity through a thermocouple, so there's no battery to remember at all. Ask your local dealer about the ignition system on any model you're considering if outage reliability matters to you.

A gas fireplace is a fully built-in unit framed into a wall, typically chosen for new construction or a major remodel. A gas insert slides into an existing masonry firebox, sealing it up and venting through the existing chimney with a liner—the common choice for Greenwood's older homes with a fireplace already in place. A gas stove is a freestanding cabinet-style unit that sits on the floor, useful in rooms without a masonry opening or in a home where you want the look of a classic stove. Most Greenwood homeowners upgrading an existing fireplace go with an insert; those building new or converting a room without a chimney usually go built-in or freestanding.

Generally yes. Gas fireplace installations require a building permit and a gas line permit, filed either through the City of Greenwood or Greenwood County building department depending on where the home sits. The gas line connection itself has to be run by a licensed gas-fitter, which is part of why it's worth using a certified hearth dealer—they coordinate the gas work, venting, and inspection instead of you juggling separate trades and paperwork.

Vented (direct-vent) gas fireplaces pull combustion air from outside and exhaust it back outside through a sealed pipe, keeping combustion byproducts out of the house entirely. Vent-free units burn directly into the room and rely on oxygen depletion sensors and room-size minimums to stay safe. South Carolina permits vent-free installations, unlike states such as California or Washington that restrict them, so both are legal options in Greenwood. That said, direct-vent units are still the more common recommendation from local dealers because they deliver stronger heat output, produce a more realistic flame, and don't put moisture or combustion gases into the living space.

Plan on an annual inspection, ideally before the first cool snap in late fall. A technician checks the burner, pilot assembly, venting, and gas connections, and cleans the glass and interior—a much lighter lift than chimney sweeping for a wood-burning unit but still important, since a dirty pilot or degraded seal is the most common cause of a fireplace that won't light reliably. Local gas appliance service providers typically charge $125 to $225 for this visit.

Wood-burning fireplaces are uncommon as a serious heat source here given how mild the winters run, and pellet stoves see little demand for the same reason—so for most Greenwood homeowners the real decision is gas versus electric. A gas fireplace delivers genuine flame, real heat output that can take the chill off a room during a cold snap, and works during a power outage with the right ignition system. An electric fireplace costs far less to install (often under $1,200), needs no gas line or venting, and can go virtually anywhere, but it's supplemental ambiance rather than meaningful heat. In a climate where the furnace already handles most of the work, plenty of Greenwood homeowners choose electric for a bedroom or den and save gas for the main living space.

An insert does two things: it seals the chimney completely, so you stop losing air you already paid to heat, and it radiates warmth into the room through the firebox and glass. Most add a heat-exchange fan that pulls cool room air underneath, wraps it around the hot firebox, and pushes it back out warm. Your home is more efficient before you've even lit the first fire.

Most fireplaces are a thin metal box—they heat fine, but you rely on the fan to move the warmth into the room. Radiant models use a thick cast-ceramic firebox, about an inch and a quarter thick, that soaks up the fire's heat and radiates roughly 25–30% more warmth into the room with no fan running. If you watch TV in the same room or want heat in a power outage, radiant is worth asking about.

For an average home—covering the fireplace, the vent pipe, and basic installation—a budget between $3,900 and $5,500 gives you a lot of options across wood, gas, and pellet. By the time you add finish work, gas line, and electrical, the average complete installation lands between $5,000 and $12,000 all-in. In a remodel or new build, a good rule is to put about 2.5% of the total project cost toward the fireplace.

On average, a fireplace adds back to the home about the same amount you spent installing it. Add the monthly savings from heating the rooms you actually use instead of the whole house—often hundreds of dollars a year—and the value case is strong before you even count what a fire does for how your family uses the room.