Chimney Services in Paramus, NJ

What the numbers suggest for chimneys in Paramus

Census estimates show about 88% of occupied homes in Paramus heating with utility gas, with electricity at about 10% and fuel oil and propane near 1% each. Gas heat says nothing direct about the fireplace, but it does mean many houses already have gas piping, which shapes the options covered below.

Paramus housing spreads across decades: about 40% of its 8,813 units date from 1940 to 1959, 26% from 1960 to 1979, 13% from 1980 to 1999 and 16% from 2000 or later. That range means a wood fireplace in town could be a site-built masonry fireplace or a factory-built unit, and the difference decides which conversions are allowed. Our guide to masonry and factory-built chimneys explains how to tell them apart.

About 85% of units are detached houses, so in most cases the fireplace and chimney belong to one owner.

What a gas conversion changes inside the chimney

Vented gas logs sit in the existing firebox and send their exhaust up the existing flue, so the flue and damper still matter. A gas insert is a sealed appliance placed in the firebox. The installation manual for one direct-vent insert, the Kozy Heat Nordik 34i, gives a useful picture of what that involves:

• the insert goes into a solid-fuel masonry or factory-built fireplace that was installed according to the applicable codes;
• it vents through two 3-inch flexible pipes run up the chimney, one for exhaust and one for combustion air;
• the fireplace damper is blocked fully open or removed;
• the appliance should be inspected before use and at least once a year by a professional.

Other models have their own requirements, and the manual for the unit you choose controls the installation. Our guide to gas logs and gas inserts compares how the two heat a room.

Converting also changes what the flue has to handle. Wood smoke leaves creosote, while gas exhaust carries a large amount of water vapor and very little soot. DuraVent's relining guide explains that cooler gas exhaust can condense on cold masonry flue surfaces, so the condition of the flue still matters after the switch. Our guide to converting a wood fireplace to gas covers the whole decision, including when a conversion may not be worth doing.

Checks to make before you shop for logs or an insert

1. Confirm there is gas at the fireplace.We connect gas logs, fireplaces and inserts to an existing gas line. If no line reaches the fireplace yet, a licensed gas contractor has to run one first.
2. Identify the fireplace type.Some factory-built fireplace manuals forbid adding a gas insert without written authorization from the maker. The Majestic SSTB11 manual is one example.
3. Have the chimney inspected for the change in fuel.The CSIA calls for a Level 2 inspection when the fuel type changes. Years of wood residue, cracked tiles or a worn firebox should be found now, before an appliance covers them.
4. Measure and photograph the firebox.Insert sizes are specific, and the opening, depth and hearth all limit the choice.
5. Plan for children and pets.Gas fireplace glass gets hot. Read our guide on gas fireplace glass and children before choosing a unit.

Local questions

Sources

1. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (tables B25034, B25040, B25024), via Census Reporter
2. Kozy Heat Nordik 34i gas insert installation manual (PDF)
3. Majestic SSTB11 factory-built fireplace owner's manual (PDF)
4. CSIA: The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections
5. DuraVent: Relining Chimneys for Gas Appliances (technical guide, PDF)