Can You Have a Fireplace in Your Apartment? Pros & Cons

A fireplace in your apartment can make it feel warm and inviting year-round. Whether you're apartment hunting or you already have a fireplace in your apartment, learn about some of the pros and cons before you light your next fire.

What Type of Fireplaces Can You Have in an Apartment?

If your apartment comes equipped with a fireplace, chances are your landlord is okay with you using it. However, it's still a good idea to check your lease and inquire about any precautions or rules you may have missed. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an apartment with a fireplace, here are some insights on which types are available and what to expect.

Gas Fireplaces

A gas fireplace burns natural gas or propane with gas logs and real flames, mimicking the look of a traditional fireplace. Instead of logs, a modern gas-burning fireplace may light up from stones or a decorative arrangement.

Electric Fireplaces

An electric fireplace is essentially an electric heater that looks like a real wood, coal, or gas-burning fireplace. It still produces some heat but does not require any venting of any kind. However, you may need a special outlet installed to accommodate the fireplace's electrical current.

Wood Burning Fireplaces

While it’s unusual to find working fireplaces that burn wood in apartments, they exist. You may find them in cities like New York or Boston with older apartment buildings and brownstones. Some single-family homes for rent or townhomes may also come equipped with wood-burning fireplaces. However, it’s not uncommon for landlords to forbid their use or close them off permanently for safety reasons.

What's the Difference Between a Gas vs. Electric Fireplace?

While gas and electric fireplaces look similar, electric fireplaces have fake, though realistic-looking, flames. Gas fireplaces are also ventless and produce real games. Electric fireplaces typically don't have the same heat as the alternatives, but they are also more energy-efficient than gas options.

What are Some of the Pros and Cons of Having an Apartment Fireplace?

Before you settle on an apartment fireplace, know some of the pros and cons and what to expect.

Pros

There are plenty of pros to having an apartment fireplace, starting with how cozy they are.

Are Warm and Inviting

Fireplaces are warm and inviting, even during warmer months. There's nothing like coming home and cozying up around a fire with a cocktail or hot tea.

Could Lower Your Utility Bills

Fireplaces can reduce your utility bills by warming up your apartment. You can stay warm, keep your heat off for longer periods of time, and enjoy your time relaxing around your fireplace.

Creates a Focal Point

A fireplace makes the perfect focal point for your apartment when entertaining guests. Instead of sitting around the TV, your friends and family can watch the fire and listen to your favorite soundtrack.

Cons

Learn more about the downsides to having a fireplace in your apartment.

Could Pose Health Problems

Many apartment fireplaces are ventless, meaning the gasses they release are emitted into your apartment. Even if you do everything right, people with respiratory issues may feel ill when a ventless fireplace is roaring. It's advisable to open a window or balcony door during, or immediately after, using an apartment fireplace.

Wood-burning fireplaces have chimneys to release smoke. However, they can also pose an issue. Chimneys need to be cleaned and checked regularly to avoid any problems with carbon dioxide or smoke backing up into your apartment.

Poses Potential Hazards

Fireplaces are generally considered safe for use, but potential hazards could arise. The first issue is smoldered embers. They could pop and land outside of your fireplace and cause damage or fires.

It May be Difficult to Service or Clean

Your lease may stipulate that you're responsible for servicing or cleaning your apartment fireplace. You may also find that your landlord is only obligated to service it periodically. However, gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces can all have unexpected issues and may require pricey servicing and cleaning. Make sure you understand what you're responsible for and a ballpark idea of what service may cost.

How to Use a Fireplace in an Apartment

While fireplaces in apartments are usually straightforward, they may require a little detective work to get started.

Read the Manual

Your landlord or property management likely left a fireplace operation manual for reference. If not, look for clues about your fireplace model or find a manufacturing sticker to look up the operating guide online. However, doing some Google sleuthing should also direct you to the right place to start.

Look for a Light Switch

Modern fireplaces often have a light switch on a wall nearby that turns them off and on, making them easy to use. Make sure you don't have a fireplace damper that needs to be opened before flipping the switch.

Ignite the Pilot Light

It's not uncommon for gas fireplaces to need a little coaxing before they turn on. Look underneath the fireplace wood rack where your gas logs are held. If there is no blue flame, your pilot light probably isn't lit.

There should be a manual switch somewhere near the gas logs that you press in to ignite the flame. You also might also see a dial to turn up the gas. Once the pilot light is lit, you can typically leave it as is, even when you don't have a fire going. Proceed slowly and take your time testing things to see what works.

Open a Window

Ventless fireplaces can aggravate respiratory issues and make you feel ill if the air doesn't circulate properly. However, all fireplaces emit some gas, which is why you should keep a window open when they’re in use.

Burn a Log

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you'll need to light a log to get it going. Dousing gas or other combustible fluids on the logs or newspaper is dangerous and could lead to injury or an apartment fire. Instead, try lighting some paper underneath the logs and see if the flame catches. Another option is a ready-to-go Duraflame log. Light the wrapper and watch the log burn for hours.

Cover the Fireplace with a Mesh Screen

A fireplace cover is essential to keep hot embers from landing on your carpet or furnishings. A screen can also prevent injury if you're sitting too close to the flames.

Never Leave your Fire Unattended

One of the cardinal sins of apartment fireplace safety is leaving your fire unattended. Even if the fire looks low and well-contained, anything could happen. If a scrap of paper floats by, the gas sputters, or your mesh screen falls, you could end up with an apartment fire and put the safety of all of your neighbors at risk.

Apartment Fireplace Safety

While your fireplace may look and feel amazing, there are essential safety measures to consider before you operate one.

Have a Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is always a good safety measure no matter you live, though it is essential to have one handy when there's a fireplace in your apartment. If you live in a townhouse with multiple levels, make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each floor.

Know the Fuel Source

Gas fireplaces that run on natural gas or propane can cause issues. If you leave your fireplace on too long or your unit is failing, you may experience a gas leak. It's important to know your fuel source to make sure it's serviced and any fuel is replaced correctly.

Understand the Damper

Your fireplace may be ventless and damper-less. However, wood-burning fireplaces are required to have dampers to keep your home or apartment safe. The damper is a metal door that closes off your chimney flue from the fireplace.

Cold air and bugs are kept out, and your apartment stays warm and bug-free. However, you should leave your flue open for a little while after a fire to clear out any toxins and freshen the air.

Keep Items Away from Your Fireplace

Make sure to clear everything away from your fireplace for optimal safety. An ember could ignite a rug, papers, or books sitting on your hearth.

Get a Fire Screen

Without a fireplace cover or screen, you're at risk of things falling into your fireplace or getting burned. If you have children or pets, fireplaces can also leave them vulnerable from accidentally being burned by your fireplace.

Check Your Smoke Alarms Regularly

Fires can smolder even if you think you put them out, making it crucial to keep your smoke alarms in working order and have extra batteries on hand. It's also possible some debris drifted into your fireplace and could ignite when you're not around. Falling asleep with a warm fire roaring is also a hazard in an apartment, and a working smoke alarm could make all the difference in your safety.

Consistently Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces all emit some levels of carbon monoxide. While an open damper can help, ventless fireplaces need the assistance of carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are in working order, test them regularly, and keep extra batteries on hand.

You also never know when your chimney or fireplace may be experiencing failure and releasing more noxious gasses than you realize.

Alternatives to a Fireplace in an Apartment

If you love the look of a fireplace but can't have one of your own in your apartment, there are alternatives to creating a similar ambiance.

Faux Fireplace

Enjoy the look of a real fireplace with faux logs or electric lights that look like the real thing. However, make sure any electric heaters that look like fireplaces are okayed by your landlord. They may require a particular outlet, otherwise, they could create electrical damage to your apartment.

Candles

Real and electric candles look elegant and cozy when arranged in a non-working fireplace. You can also buy a fireplace rack designed to hold candles instead of wood. Light them up and watch their flames dance around in your fireplace.

Ethanol

Like a candle, an ethanol tabletop "fireplace" burns a flame without any soot or odor. Tabletop fireplaces can be decorative, resemble a candle, or look like a long, narrow fireplace. Despite their ease of use, you should continuously monitor your table and surfaces where an ethanol flame is burning.

Decorative Mantel

If burning anything in your apartment isn't an option, you can still take advantage of the mantel. Decorate it with electric candles, flowers, and photos to create an attractive display in your living area. You can also source portable mantels that are made to look real but simply move around like a bookshelf ready to turn any wall space into a fireplace.

Final Thoughts

A fireplace can be a warm and inviting addition to your apartment, though it requires care and safety. Fortunately, it's not difficult to find an apartment with a fireplace when you use Apartment List’s filters to narrow down your choices. Ready to get started? Sign-up with Apartment List today to start your search for your perfect place.