SCAQMD Rule 445 Compliance · Drop-In Insert or Log Set · LA Same-Day
Wood-to-Gas Fireplace Conversion
Converting an old wood-burning fireplace to gas. SCAQMD-aware compliance consultation, drop-in inserts and gas log sets, permit coordination with LA Building & Safety. $1,500-4,500 typical conversion. (424) 325-0520
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8 service territories across Southern California
Wood-to-Gas Conversion
Southern California
01 · Why most LA fireplace retrofits are now conversions
SCAQMD Rule 445 changed what's possible. We do the conversion side.
Most fireplace retrofits we see in 2026 are wood-to-gas conversions, not new wood-burning installations. The reason is regulatory. SCAQMD Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices) covers the LA basin and parts of the Inland Empire and prohibits installation of new wood-burning fireplaces in residential new construction in most of the SCAQMD jurisdiction. The rule also enables 'no-burn' day declarations during winter atmospheric inversions when PM2.5 is trapped at ground level; on declared no-burn days, using an existing wood-burning fireplace is prohibited.
Existing wood-burning fireplaces are not required to be removed or converted. But many LA homeowners voluntarily convert because: (a) winter no-burn days reduce how often the unit can be used, (b) wood smoke is a major PM2.5 contributor and indoor air quality is a real concern, (c) gas is more convenient (no kindling, no firewood storage, no chimney sweeping, no ash). The conversion economics make sense for most homes that built around a wood-burning fireplace before the rule changes.
What we do: the appliance side. We install gas inserts and gas log sets, set up controls, run ignition diagnostics, verify safe operation. What we don't do: new gas line installation. Gas line work is licensed plumbing/HVAC contractor trade; we coordinate with several LA partners for that scope when a new gas line stub is required.
$120 outdoor diagnostic and conversion consultation, applied toward the conversion. BHGS #A49573. EPA 608 Universal certified #1346255700410. BBB A+. Phones answered 24/7. Parent: gas fireplace repair.
02 · Two conversion paths
Drop-in gas insert vs gas log set with valve.
Path 1: Gas log set with valve installation ($1,500-2,800 typical)
Vented gas burner and ceramic log set installed in the existing firebox. Uses the existing chimney for venting. Manual safety pilot valve or remote-controlled gas valve. BTU output 15,000-25,000 typical. Common log set brands: Real Fyre G-series (Peterson), Empire, Hargrove, Real Fyre by Peterson Premium. Best fit: ambiance use, primary heat from another source. Permit required, LA Building & Safety. Damper clamp installed to prevent damper closure during operation.
Scope from us: log set selection, valve installation on existing gas line stub, IPI module wiring (if remote control desired), pilot ignition diagnostic, vent verification, damper clamp install. Typical labor 4-6 hours plus parts.
Path 2: Drop-in gas insert ($2,800-4,500 typical)
Sealed gas appliance fits into the existing wood-burning fireplace opening. Vents through a co-axial direct-vent liner installed inside the existing chimney (supply air down the outer pipe, exhaust up the inner pipe). BTU output 20,000-40,000 typical, more efficient than a log set, can serve as primary heat for the room. Common insert brands: Heat & Glo direct-vent inserts, Heatilator inserts, Lopi gas inserts, Mendota inserts, Valor.
Scope from us: insert selection, fitment to existing opening (some surrounds need adjustment), connection to existing gas line stub, controls and remote setup, ignition diagnostic, vent and combustion air verification. Co-axial liner installation typically handled by us or by a partner depending on the install complexity.
Best fit: primary heat use for the room, larger fireplace openings (insert needs minimum dimensions), homeowners willing to invest in the higher-output sealed-combustion appliance.
03 · What we do, what our partners do
Honest scope on a conversion.
SDAR appliance scope (BHGS #A49573): log set or insert selection consultation, fitment and physical install in the firebox or fireplace opening, gas appliance connection to an existing gas line stub at the fireplace, IPI module installation and wiring, control valve installation, remote control pairing, pilot ignition diagnostic, draft and combustion air verification, damper clamp install, customer training on operation.
Licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor partner scope: new gas line installation from the meter or a nearby tap to the fireplace location, gas line re-routing, gas pressure regulator modifications, gas line capping when removing a wood-burning unit, pressure testing the new line. We coordinate with several plumbing and HVAC contractors in LA we trust for this scope. They quote separately, you contract directly with them, we coordinate the schedule.
Chimney sweep / mason scope (separate trade): chimney inspection prior to conversion, chimney repair if defects are found (cracked masonry, deteriorated flue tile), removal of existing wood-burning components (firebox alterations, ash dump capping), liner installation in some configurations.
The reason for the explicit split: a wood-to-gas conversion typically involves three trades, and the customer benefits from clarity on who is responsible for what. We're appliance specialists with gas-certified technicians, not gas piping contractors and not chimney sweeps. Knowing what we don't do is part of the job.
04 · The components in a typical conversion
What goes into the gas-side scope.
- Gas log set or insert appliance. The main hardware. Real Fyre / Peterson G-series log sets, Empire log sets, Hargrove premium log sets, or Heat & Glo / Heatilator / Lopi / Mendota / Valor inserts.
- Gas valve. Manual safety pilot valve (simplest, requires manual ignition each use), or a millivolt valve with thermopile (remote-controllable, no external power), or an IPI valve with electric ignition (most modern, remote and smart-home compatible).
- IPI (Intermittent Pilot Ignition) module. Electronic ignition controller for IPI valves. Spark electrode, ground rod, flame rectification sensing.
- Remote control system. Skytech aftermarket on simpler installs, or Heat & Glo IntelliFire / Valor GV60 / Majestic Comfort Control on premium inserts.
- Damper clamp. A fixed clamp preventing the chimney damper from being closed accidentally during operation. Required by code on gas log set installs.
- Vent verification. Either chimney inspection for atmospheric vent log set installs, or co-axial direct-vent liner for sealed-combustion insert installs.
- Combustion air provision. Some inserts require a combustion air kit if the room doesn't meet minimum free-air volume per the manufacturer spec.
05 · Permit and regulatory coordination
LA Building & Safety + SCAQMD overlay.
Most LA jurisdictions require a permit for installation of a gas-burning appliance, including gas inserts and gas log sets in existing fireplaces. We coordinate the permit submittal: scope description, appliance specs, vent configuration, gas line tap point. The customer or our contractor partner files the application; we schedule the inspection at completion.
SCAQMD Rule 445 doesn't typically require a separate residential conversion permit (residential conversions are handled at the LA B&S level). For commercial conversion scopes (restaurant ambiance fireplaces, hotel lobby fireplaces) SCAQMD permit-by-rule registration may apply; we coordinate when relevant.
Permit fees vary $200-600 typical depending on jurisdiction. Calabasas, Westlake Village, and some unincorporated areas have streamlined permitting; LA proper, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica run standard permit processes with typical 2-3 week turnaround.
Our regulatory authority on this scope is from the SCAQMD-aware appliance install side. The current rule language updates and we verify on every consultation; we do not give regulatory advice beyond confirming the rule's applicability to your address and your project. For SCAQMD-specific compliance questions on a commercial property, we refer to environmental compliance counsel.
06 · Composite stories from the route
Three recent conversions.
Beverly Hills, 1962 ranch home, 4 wood-burning fireplaces
Owner inherited the property and didn't want to fight the no-burn-day restrictions. Converted all 4 fireplaces to gas: 2 drop-in inserts in primary living spaces, 2 gas log sets in bedrooms. New gas line tap from main meter run by our plumbing partner ($2,800 plumbing scope). Our scope: 2 Heat & Glo inserts plus 2 Real Fyre G-series log sets, all with IntelliFire IPI controls, paired to a single Heat & Glo app for whole-home control. Total project: $14,200 (our scope $9,400; plumbing partner $2,800; permits $1,200; chimney inspection by separate sweep $800). 5-day total install across all 4 fireplaces.
Pacific Palisades, 1970s home, single masonry wood-burning fireplace
Existing gas line stub already in place from a prior aborted conversion attempt. Customer wanted ambiance use, not primary heat. Installed Real Fyre G45 18" log set with manual safety pilot valve, damper clamp, customer-side ignition. Permit through LA Building & Safety, $340. Total: $1,940 (log set $580, valve $240, install $880, permit $340 inspection coordination). Customer appreciated the simple manual valve over a remote system; one less thing to fail.
Calabasas, 2008 contemporary home, see-through wood-burning fireplace
See-through (double-sided) wood-burning unit between living and dining rooms. Customer wanted modern aesthetic with linear gas appearance. Recommended Heat & Glo Cosmo 60" linear gas insert (sealed combustion, direct-vent through new co-axial liner in existing masonry chimney). Plumbing partner ran new dedicated gas line to fireplace ($1,400 plumbing scope). Our scope: insert install with custom surround adjustment, IntelliFire Plus controls, app pairing, 2-hour customer training. Total: $4,820 (insert $1,800, our labor $2,200, liner $480, permit $340) plus separate plumbing scope. Project took 4 days end-to-end.
07 · Pricing
What conversion costs.
$120 outdoor diagnostic and conversion consultation, applied toward the conversion. Quotes in writing before any work begins. SDAR appliance scope; gas line work quoted separately by our plumbing/HVAC contractor partners.
| Scope | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic and consultation | $120, applied toward conversion |
| Gas log set conversion (existing line, simple firebox) | $1,500 to $2,200 |
| Gas log set with remote-control IPI valve | $2,200 to $2,800 |
| Drop-in gas insert (existing chimney good condition) | $2,800 to $3,800 |
| Drop-in insert with co-axial liner installation | $3,500 to $4,500 |
| Linear contemporary insert (premium) | $4,200 to $5,800 |
| New gas line stub from nearby tap (partner contractor scope) | $400 to $1,200 |
| New gas line from meter (partner contractor scope) | $1,200 to $3,400 |
| Permit (LA Building & Safety) | $200 to $600 |
| Chimney inspection (separate sweep, recommended) | $200 to $400 |
| Damper clamp install | Included in log set scope |
| Multi-fireplace conversion (whole-home) | Quote-based, $8,000-18,000 typical for 3-5 units |
| Warranty (SDAR appliance work) | 90 days parts and labor on our scope |
08 · Why customers call us for conversions
What separates our conversion service.
- SCAQMD Rule 445 fluency. We confirm the rule's applicability to your specific address and project on the consultation. Many LA contractors treat this as boilerplate; we treat it as the regulatory frame the project sits inside.
- Honest scope split. Appliance side is us; gas line work is a separate licensed contractor. We're explicit about the boundary because clarity protects the customer.
- Plumbing and HVAC partner network. Several LA contractors we coordinate with for the gas line scope. They quote separately, you contract directly, we manage the schedule integration.
- Permit coordination with LA Building & Safety. We handle the appliance scope of the permit. Streamlined turnaround on jurisdictions we work in regularly.
- Multi-fireplace whole-home conversion experience. Estate conversions in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas with 3-6 fireplaces converted in a single coordinated project.
- Heat & Glo, Heatilator, Lopi, Mendota, Valor authorized service. Insert and log set selection, install, and post-install support across the major brands.
- BHGS #A49573 plus EPA 608 Universal certified #1346255700410. Verifiable.
- Same-day diagnostic and consultation across LA, OC, Ventura. Conversion projects scheduled per scope and partner contractor availability.
09 · FAQ
Questions we hear on conversions.
Why convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas in LA?
Three reasons. (1) SCAQMD Rule 445 restricts new wood-burning installations across most of LA, OC, Riverside, San Bernardino. New construction in the LA basin can no longer add wood-burning fireplaces, and during winter no-burn days the existing wood-burning units are subject to use restrictions. (2) Air quality: wood smoke is a major contributor to PM2.5 emissions during winter inversions. Many LA homeowners convert voluntarily for indoor air quality. (3) Convenience: gas turns on with a switch or remote. No kindling, no firewood storage, no chimney sweep, no ash cleanup. Most retrofits we see in 2026 are these conversions.
What does SCAQMD Rule 445 actually restrict?
Rule 445 (officially: Wood-Burning Devices) covers the LA basin and parts of the Inland Empire. The rule prohibits installation of new wood-burning fireplaces in residential new construction in most of the SCAQMD jurisdiction. It also enables 'no-burn' day declarations during winter when atmospheric conditions trap PM2.5 at ground level; on declared no-burn days, using an existing wood-burning fireplace is prohibited. Existing wood-burning fireplaces are not required to be removed or converted, but many homeowners voluntarily convert because the use restrictions limit how often they can run the unit anyway. We confirm SCAQMD jurisdiction and current rule language on every conversion consultation; this is regulatory territory and the rules update.
What's the difference between a drop-in gas insert and a gas log set with valve?
Two paths, different scope. (1) Drop-in gas insert: a sealed gas appliance that fits into the existing wood-burning fireplace opening, vents through the existing chimney (or a new co-axial direct-vent liner ran through the chimney), produces 20,000-40,000 BTU, has its own controls and remote. More efficient, more heat output, more expensive ($2,800-4,500 typical). (2) Gas log set with valve installation: a vented gas burner and ceramic log set installed in the existing firebox, uses the existing chimney for venting, requires a manual or remote-controlled gas valve. Lower BTU (15,000-25,000 typical), simpler install, less expensive ($1,500-2,800 typical). The drop-in insert is the right answer for primary heat use; the gas log set is the right answer for ambiance use.
What does the conversion cost all-in?
Range is wide because there are several variables. Gas log set conversion in an existing firebox with existing gas line stub already in place: $1,500-2,200 typical. Same conversion if a new gas line stub needs to be run from a nearby tap by a licensed plumbing/HVAC contractor: add $400-1,200 to the plumbing scope. Drop-in gas insert conversion with venting in good condition: $2,800-3,800. Drop-in insert with chimney liner installation: $3,500-4,500. Permit fees with LA Building & Safety: typically $200-600 depending on jurisdiction. We quote in writing before any work begins and break out the appliance scope (us) from the gas line and venting scope (our partner contractors) clearly.
Who does the gas line work?
Not us. New gas line installation, gas line re-routing, gas pressure regulator changes, and gas line capping are licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor trade. SDAR's BHGS #A49573 covers appliance repair scope: we install the gas appliance (insert or log set), connect to an existing gas line stub at the fireplace, set up the controls, run the ignition diagnostic, and verify safe operation. If the existing fireplace doesn't have a gas line stub and one needs to be run, that's a separate scope by a licensed gas line contractor. We have several plumbing and HVAC partners across LA we coordinate with for this.
Do I need a permit for the conversion?
Yes, in most LA jurisdictions. LA Building & Safety requires a permit for installation of a gas-burning appliance, including gas inserts and gas log sets in existing fireplaces. Some smaller cities (Calabasas, Westlake Village, certain unincorporated areas) have streamlined permitting for residential fireplace conversion. SCAQMD has its own permit-by-rule registration for some commercial conversion scopes; residential conversions are typically handled at the LA B&S level only. We coordinate the permit submittal, our customer or our contractor partner files the application, and we schedule the inspection. Permit fees vary $200-600 typical.
Will my chimney still work after conversion?
Depends on the conversion path. Gas log set in the existing firebox: yes, the chimney continues to vent the appliance, often with a damper clamp installed to prevent the damper from being closed accidentally (closed damper plus running gas appliance equals carbon monoxide back-draft). Drop-in gas insert with co-axial direct-vent liner: yes, but a new aluminum or stainless co-axial liner is installed inside the existing masonry chimney, supply air comes down the outer pipe and exhaust goes up the inner pipe. Drop-in gas insert without liner (atmospheric vent): yes, but only on certain insert models and only if the existing chimney has been inspected and is in good condition. We inspect the chimney during the consultation and recommend the venting approach.
10 · Related fireplace service
More from the gas fireplace catalog.
Considering a conversion? Call today.
Same-day diagnostic and consultation across LA, OC, Ventura. SCAQMD-aware. BHGS #A49573, EPA 608 Universal #1346255700410. Phones answered 24/7.