fireplace
We don't use our fireplace and would like the wall space back. Is there a right way to seal everything up? My approach would be to cap the chimney top and plywood + drywall the front opening.
It's an external chimney, the firebox is brick, and I assume the flue is ceramic. There is no damper.
There is no way to convert a gas fireplace to burn wood, unless you are very lucky and the gas fireplace is an insert in a properly functioning solid fuel fireplace (in which case you basically just remove the insert, and have the fireplace inspected).
In situations like this, you have a couple options.
This option will require the least amount of work, though can still be quite expensive and time consuming.
You'll have to follow all local codes that deal with this type of project, but for this example we'll use National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards (NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances).
You'll need 36" clearance from combustible materials on all sides (top, left, right, front, and back).
You'll need a floor protector under the unit, that extends 18" in all directions (except up/down, that would just be silly).
The floor protection requirements will be provided by the manufacturer, for listed stoves.
For unlisted stoves, the floor protection requirements are determined by the length of the legs on the unit.
Stove must be placed on non-combustible floor.
4" hollow masonry laid to provide air circulation through the layer, covered with 24-gauge sheet metal.
Closely spaced masonry not less than 2", covered with 24-gauge sheet metal.
There are ways to reduce the clearances, by installing special materials around the stove. Check your local codes for methods to reduce clearances.
You'll need 18" clearance around the stove pipe, as well as a stovepipe thimble where the stovepipe passes through walls/ceilings.
If you don't have a proper masonry chimney to attach the stovepipe to, you'll have to use a factory built metal (A.K.A. prefabricated, Class A, all-fuel) chimney. You likely won't be able to use the same pipe used by the old gas fireplace. You also don't want to connect the stovepipe to the chimney used by your other gas appliances (furnace, water heater, etc.).
If you've got the cash and time, you could have a proper masonry chimney/fireplace built (or build it yourself). This option will require modifications to the building structure, lots of masonry skills, a healthy bank account, and a good bit of time.
The firebox may be rated for solid fuel, but is the chimney constructed to handle the extra heat and the possibility of having a flue fire from soot and creosote deposits?
A natural gas flue is not a solid fuel flue. If the chimney construction was skimped on to save money, then no.
If your HVAC tech has inspected the chimney and found it up to proper standards, then maybe.
Best Answer
Removing the facade is not usually very hard. Where you will run into quite a bit of work for a brick fireplace is with the hearth. Usually these are poured and removal may require a jackhammer, sometimes only a heavy demo hammer is needed. As your hearth is above the floor level it may be part of the base of the chimney. So removal is not a minor job but could be done DIY.
I understand you want to reclaim the space but for me it would be all or nothing . Remove the entire thing for a few inches of space, or install a gas or pellet stove insert and seal it so you don’t loose heat up the stack. I have installed gas log inserts that ran for a month on a 5 gallon propane tank, this increases the home value verses the cost of demo and reducing the home value. I did remove a fireplace in my 1930 farm home as it was in a poor location and was not safe to use. However I added a free standing high efficiency stove in another room (addition). I would use caution with a partial demo as that could be considered a liability for future sales this is why I say all or nothing, a fireplace that is not usable will reduce the value or has in the past, a simple change to a gas log insert brought the value of one home we flipped ~15k and that was 20 years ago.