Fireplace Running Costs (2025) – Electric vs Gas vs Wood Monthly Comparison

Fireplaces vary widely in efficiency and cost per hour of use depending on their fuel source.

Electric, gas, and wood fireplaces all provide comfort and ambiance, but their long-term running costs differ dramatically once you factor in energy rates, heat output, and efficiency.

This guide compares monthly operating costs, energy efficiency, and cost per BTU across major fireplace types to help homeowners estimate their true cost of comfort.

Average Monthly Fireplace Running Costs

Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, appliance efficiency, and average hours of daily use.

1. Electric Fireplace Operating Costs

Electric fireplaces convert all incoming power directly into heat at the point of use, making them the simplest to calculate.

Average energy draw: 1.4 – 1.6 kW
Electricity rate (U.S. average): $0.12 / kWh

Example Calculation:
1.5 kW × $0.12 × 5 hr = $0.90 per day → ≈ $27/month

Advantages

• 100% efficiency at the appliance
• No venting or combustion loss
• Minimal maintenance or service cost
• Ideal for zone heating: use only where needed

Considerations

• Higher per-BTU cost than gas or wood in most regions
• Limited whole-home heating capacity

Browse our electric fireplace collection for low-cost, plug-and-play models.

2. Gas Fireplace Operating Costs

Gas fireplaces balance heat output, control, and efficiency.
Direct-vent systems use sealed combustion, drawing outside air in and expelling exhaust efficiently.

Typical output: 25,000 – 40,000 BTU/hr
Natural gas rate: $1.20 per therm (100,000 BTU)

Example Calculation (30,000 BTU/hr @ 75% efficiency):
30,000 × 0.75 = 22,500 BTU useful heat
22,500 ÷ 100,000 × $1.20 = $0.27 per hr → ≈ $16/month (2 hr/day)

Advantages

• Consistent controllable heat
• Thermostat and remote operation
• Low maintenance (annual checkup only)
• Works during power outages (pilot or battery ignition)

Considerations

• Requires gas line installation
• Slightly higher upfront cost

Explore vented gas fireplaces for efficient, sealed-combustion designs.

3. Wood Fireplace Operating Costs

Wood remains the most economical heat source by fuel price but requires storage and labor.
Actual cost depends heavily on the efficiency of the unit and wood moisture content.

Typical cost: $200 per cord of seasoned hardwood (24 million BTU)
Average efficiency: 70%

Cost per million BTU: $11.90

Example Calculation:
(24 M BTU × 0.70 = 16.8 M BTU usable)
$200 ÷ 16.8 = $11.90 per M BTU
At 40,000 BTU/hr → $0.48/hr ≈ $29/month (2 hr/day)

Advantages

• Lowest cost per BTU
• Renewable, locally sourced fuel
• Strong radiant heat and ambiance

Considerations

• Requires chimney cleaning ($150 – $300/year)
• More manual labor (splitting, stacking, lighting)
• Needs dry, seasoned wood for clean burning

View wood stoves & inserts for high-efficiency heating options.

4. Pellet Stove Operating Costs

Pellet stoves use compressed wood pellets burned in controlled feeds.
They provide automated heat with higher consistency than cordwood.

Pellet cost: $250 / ton (16 M BTU)
Efficiency: 80%

Cost per million BTU: $19.50
At 30,000 BTU/hr → $0.59/hr ≈ $36/month (2 hr/day)

Advantages

• Automatic ignition and thermostat control
• Cleaner burning and lower emissions
• Easy to store and handle

Considerations

• Requires power for auger and fan
• Slightly higher per-BTU cost than wood

Energy Efficiency and Real Cost per Million BTU

Electricity costs more per BTU but offers unmatched convenience and safety, while wood delivers the lowest long-term heat cost when available locally.

5. Factors That Influence Running Costs

1. Efficiency Ratings – Higher efficiency means more heat from each unit of fuel.
2. Local Energy Prices – Regional gas or electric rates shift true monthly costs.
3. Usage Time – Doubling hours doubles fuel consumption; zone heating minimizes it.
4. Climate Zone – Colder areas require longer runtimes per day.
5. Maintenance – Clean chimneys and tuned burners sustain peak performance.

6. How to Estimate Your Monthly Fireplace Cost

A simple formula:

Monthly Cost = (BTU Output × Hours Used × Fuel Cost) ÷ (Efficiency × 1,000,000)

Example for a 30,000 BTU/hr gas fireplace, 2 hr/day, 30 days, 75% efficiency:

30,000 × 60 × $1.20 ÷ (0.75 × 100,000) = ≈ $16 per month

7. Reducing Operating Costs

• Zone Heat Smartly: Warm occupied areas only.
• Seal Drafts: Prevent conditioned air loss near chimneys or vents.
• Maintain Units Annually: Improves efficiency and lifespan.
• Use Smart Thermostats: Automate temperature control for gas models.
• Burn Seasoned Wood Only: Wet wood wastes up to 40% of energy potential.

Conclusion

The lowest running cost belongs to seasoned wood in efficient EPA-certified stoves, while electric fireplaces provide the most predictable and maintenance-free cost structure.
Gas models strike the middle ground — excellent comfort with moderate monthly expense.

Selecting the right type depends on what you value most:

• Lowest cost per BTU: Wood
• Ease of use: Electric
• Balanced efficiency and flame realism: Gas

Explore PureFlameCo’s full lineup to compare cost and performance:

• Electric Fireplaces
• Vented Gas Fireplaces
• Wood Stoves & Inserts
• Pellet & Ethanol Fireplaces