From Outdated Gas Unit to a Dramatic Electric Fireplace
A homeowner in Columbia, Maryland’s Snowden Overlook Active Adult Community called Priddy with a dilemma: her home had a gas fireplace installed in the living room, but no actual gas service to the home. The gas meter had been removed from the property, leaving a fireplace that was no longer functional and a surround that hadn’t been updated since the home was built in 2005.
The homeowner had a clear design direction in mind: a modern electric fireplace framed by bold black marble tile. Priddy Chimney Solutions was hired to complete an extensive gas-to-electric fireplace conversion project with multiple components that extended well beyond fireplace installation: gas line termination, structural framing, tile installation and electrical work.
A Non-Functional Gas Fireplace in a Two-Story Living Room
When the house was built over twenty years ago, the existing gas direct vent fireplace was the focal point of the two-story living room. However, since the gas meter was removed and the line shut down at the exterior, the fireplace had been sitting unused.
The homeowner had already decided on a fireplace unit she liked, the Orion Traditional 36” Virtual Electric Fireplace. Before the new electric fireplace could be installed, Priddy needed to remove the existing electric fireplace, properly terminate and cap the non-functioning gas line, and build the structural and mechanical framework needed to support the new electric fireplace.
Demolition and Gas Line Termination
The project began with the demolition of the existing mantel and stone surround, followed by disconnecting, removing, and hauling away the original gas unit. The gas meter had already been removed from the property and the line was shut down at the exterior, but the gas line was never properly terminated and capped. In addition, the existing exterior vent opening needed to be cleanly closed off.
Framing and Electrical Rough-In
With the existing unit removed, the interior of the chase was framed to support the Orion Traditional 36” unit. The framing created the proper shelf and support structure for the electric fireplace while establishing the correct clearances for the tile surround.
A dedicated 120-volt electrical circuit on a 20-amp breaker was run from the home’s electric panel to the fireplace location. The circuit required routing through the wall to reach the interior of the chase, where a junction box and interior plug were installed. The original gas fireplace wall switch was also removed and properly terminated during this phase of the project.
Fireplace Installation and Mantel Re-Installation
The home’s original mantel was preserved during demolition, however the surround and hearth extension needed to be tiled before it could be reinstalled.
Once Priddy’s team completed tiling, they were able to install the new fireplace and re-install the mantel.
The Result: A Striking Focal Point in a Columbia, Maryland Living Room
The newly installed fireplace transformed the living room from a space with an outdated, non-functional gas unit to one anchored by a dramatic black marble surround and a high-quality electric fireplace with realistic flame effects.
The combination of the new black marble tile, the clean lines of the Orion Traditional 36”, and the reinstated white mantel created exactly the bold, design-forward focal point of her living room that the homeowner had envisioned.
Considering a Gas-to-Electric Fireplace Conversion?
This project illustrates why fireplace conversions — even ones that look primarily cosmetic — involve a meaningful amount of technical coordination.
If you’re considering a fireplace conversion or redesign in the Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia area, Priddy Chimney Solutions can help you work through the options and manage the project from start to finish.
