A gas fireplace installation in Ottawa typically costs $4,500 to $9,500 all-in for 2026, with most homeowners landing around $6,000 to $7,500 for a mid-range direct-vent unit professionally installed. A gas insert dropped into an existing masonry fireplace is the cheaper path at roughly $3,800 to $7,000, because the chimney chase already exists; a brand-new direct-vent fireplace framed into an exterior wall runs about $5,500 to $11,000 once you add framing, venting, finishing, and a mantel surround. The appliance itself is usually only 45–55% of the total — the rest is the gas line, venting, e...
Pricing depends almost entirely on what type of unit you are installing and whether a vent path already exists. A gas insert — a sealed firebox slid into an existing wood-burning masonry fireplace — is the most affordable conversion at roughly $3,800 to $7,000 installed, since the existing chimney is relined with a flexible co-axial or co-linear liner rather than cut through walls. A new direct-vent fireplace installed on an exterior wall runs about $5,500 to $11,000: the unit is $2,200 to $5,500, framing and venting add $900 to $2,000, and drywall, stone or tile surround, and a mantel add $1,200 to $3,500. A basic gas log set placed in an existing open fireplace is the budget option at $1,800 to $3,500, but it is decorative rather than efficient. Freestanding gas stoves land between the insert and direct-vent ranges at roughly $4,500 to $8,500 installed. High-efficiency linear or two-sided designer units can push a finished Ottawa project past $15,000.
A representative 2026 Ottawa quote for a direct-vent living-room fireplace: appliance $3,400, venting kit and installation $1,100, gas line extension $850, electrical outlet $300, framing and drywall $900, permit and gas inspection $250, labour $1,000 — roughly $7,800 before the stone surround.
The distance from your gas meter to the fireplace is one of the biggest swing factors in an Ottawa quote. A short run in an unfinished basement — say 15 to 25 feet of black iron or CSST — costs about $500 to $900. A long run through a finished basement, where drywall must be opened and patched, commonly costs $1,200 to $2,200. If your home is not already on natural gas, connecting a new service through Enbridge is a separate project with its own timeline and cost. Venting is the next item: direct-vent units need a co-axial pipe through an exterior wall or up through the roof, and roof terminations cost $400 to $900 more than a straight horizontal sidewall vent. Most modern gas fireplaces also need a nearby 120V outlet for the blower, electronic ignition, and remote receiver, adding $250 to $450 if an electrician has to fish a new circuit. Finally, budget $300 to $600 for hearth protection and any required clearance modifications.
In Ontario, gas appliances must be installed by a technician holding a valid TSSA gas fitter certification (G1, G2, or G3 depending on scope), and the work must comply with CSA B149.1, the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code. This is not optional or a formality — an uncertified installation can void your appliance warranty, void your home insurance in the event of a claim, and create a serious carbon monoxide risk. The City of Ottawa also requires a building permit in most cases when a new fireplace is framed into a wall or a new vent penetration is created, and an ESA notification may be needed if a new electrical circuit is run. A reputable Ottawa installer handles the permit, arranges the gas inspection, and provides you with documentation at completion. Always ask to see the technician's TSSA certification card and confirm liability insurance and WSIB coverage before signing. If you are unsure how to verify a contractor's credentials, do that homework before you accept any quote.
Ontario law requires a working carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to sleeping areas in any home with a fuel-burning appliance. Add one to your budget if you do not already have coverage on the fireplace level — they cost $40 to $90 and are non-negotiable for safety and compliance.
Modern direct-vent gas fireplaces are rated by their fireplace efficiency (FE) percentage, and current high-efficiency models reach 70–85% FE compared with 20–40% for a decorative log set in an open masonry fireplace. In Ottawa's long heating season, that gap matters. A typical 25,000–30,000 BTU direct-vent unit burning during evening hours through a Kanata or Barrhaven winter costs roughly $25 to $55 per month in natural gas, which is generally cheaper per unit of delivered heat than baseboard electric. Many Ottawa homeowners use a gas fireplace for zone heating — keeping the main living area comfortable while the furnace thermostat sits a couple of degrees lower — which can trim overall heating bills. Look for units with a variable-speed blower, sealed combustion, and electronic ignition rather than a standing pilot light, since a standing pilot quietly burns gas year-round. Some efficiency upgrades may interact with federal retrofit programs, so it is worth checking what current incentives cover before you finalize the model.
Get three itemized written quotes and make sure each one separates the appliance, venting, gas line, electrical, permits, and finishing. A single lump-sum number hides where the money goes and makes comparison impossible. Ask each installer: What is the exact make, model, and BTU rating? Is the vent termination horizontal or vertical, and what does that add? How many feet of gas line, and is drywall repair included? Who pulls the permit and schedules the gas inspection? Is the surround, mantel, and hearth included or homeowner-supplied? What is the labour warranty beyond the manufacturer's appliance warranty (typically 1 year on parts and labour, with longer coverage on the firebox)? Be cautious of quotes that are dramatically cheaper — they usually exclude the permit, the finishing work, or the electrical outlet, and those costs reappear as change orders mid-project. Booking in spring or early summer often gets better pricing and scheduling than the September-to-December rush.
In 2026, expect $4,500 to $9,500 all-in for a professionally installed gas fireplace in Ottawa, with most homeowners around $6,000 to $7,500. A gas insert into an existing masonry fireplace runs roughly $3,800 to $7,000, while a new direct-vent unit framed into an exterior wall runs about $5,500 to $11,000 with finishing.
A short gas line run in an unfinished basement costs about $500 to $900. A longer run through a finished basement that requires opening and patching drywall typically costs $1,200 to $2,200. If your home is not already connected to natural gas, a new Enbridge service connection is a separate cost and timeline.
In most cases yes. The City of Ottawa generally requires a building permit when a new fireplace is framed into a wall or a new vent penetration is created, and the gas work must be done and inspected under TSSA rules. A new electrical circuit for the blower may also require ESA notification. Confirm your specific project with the City before work begins.
Only a technician holding a valid TSSA gas fitter certificate (G1, G2, or G3 as appropriate) may install or connect a gas fireplace in Ontario, and the work must meet CSA B149.1. Uncertified installations can void your appliance warranty and home insurance coverage and pose a carbon monoxide risk.
Yes. An insert uses your existing masonry fireplace and chimney chase, so there is no wall framing or new vent penetration. That typically saves $1,500 to $3,000 compared with a new direct-vent installation of similar quality.
A typical 25,000 to 30,000 BTU direct-vent fireplace used during evenings through an Ottawa winter costs roughly $25 to $55 per month in natural gas. Choosing electronic ignition over a standing pilot light avoids burning gas year-round and lowers that cost.