A house on the East End is often a weekend house first. You arrive Friday night to rooms that have sat cold all week, and the fireplace you choose decides whether the evening starts with a warm room or an hour of kindling. That is why the best wood-burning fireplace or stove for Southampton or Southold is not always the one with the biggest firebox. It is the one that fits how often you are there, and who is in the house when you are not.
Here is how we help East End owners choose.
The short answer
For a Hamptons or North Fork second home, choose an EPA 2020 certified wood stove or insert if you want real heat and will be there to tend it, a high-efficiency wood fireplace if you are building or renovating and want the ritual of a large fire, a direct vent propane or natural gas fireplace if you want instant warmth with a remote, and electric for rentals and rooms where nobody should be managing a flame. New York's all-electric law applies only to new buildings and is paused while litigation finishes, so an existing house is unaffected. Every new fireplace, stove or chimney still goes through your town or village building department.
Key takeaways
- Wood heat rewards owners who are home. Never leave a wood fire burning when you lock up and drive back west.
- New wood stoves and inserts sold in the US must meet the federal 2020 limit of 2.0 g/h (crib wood test) or 2.5 g/h (cord wood test).
- Gas is the fastest real flame for a cold weekend house; direct vent units run on propane or natural gas with sealed combustion.
- Electric is the right call for rentals: no flue to maintain, no fuel to store, nothing for a guest to mishandle.
- The state all-electric law affects new construction only. Existing homes can keep, repair and add gas appliances.
In this guide
- Which fireplace suits a second home?
- What does EPA 2020 certified mean for a wood stove?
- High-efficiency or traditional wood fireplace?
- Is a propane fireplace a good idea on the East End?
- What is the best fireplace for a rental?
- Chimneys, insurance and the gas law
- Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island and the North Fork
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
Which fireplace suits a second home?
Start with two questions: how quickly do you want warmth when you walk in, and who will be operating it?
| Option | Warm-up on arrival | Attention needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA certified wood stove or insert | Slow start, then strong, steady heat | High: loading, air control, ashes | Owners who stay for long weekends and winter weeks |
| High-efficiency wood fireplace | Moderate | High | New builds and major renovations that want a large, clean fire |
| Traditional open wood fireplace | Atmosphere more than heat | High | Living rooms built around the hearth |
| Direct vent gas (propane or natural gas) | Minutes, at the press of a remote | Low | Weekend houses, bedrooms, family rooms |
| Electric | Instant flame effect, modest heat | Very low | Summer and winter rentals, guest suites, media walls |
What does EPA 2020 certified mean for a wood stove?
Since May 15, 2020, wood heaters manufactured or sold at retail in the United States must meet the federal Step 2 particulate standard: a weighted average of 2.0 grams per hour on the crib wood test, or 2.5 grams per hour on the alternative cord wood test (40 CFR 60.532). That covers freestanding wood stoves and fireplace inserts. A certified stove burns cleaner and puts more of the wood's energy into the room.
Two models show how this reads on a spec sheet. The Osburn Inspire 2000 is listed at 2.3 g/h on the 2020 cord wood standard, with a 2.4 cubic foot firebox, up to 8 hours of burn time and a heating range Osburn gives as 500 to 2,100 square feet. The more compact True North TN20 meets the 2020 crib wood standard at 1.6 g/h. Both burn dry cordwood only.
If the house already has a masonry fireplace that pulls heat out of the room, an insert is usually the better investment. The Osburn 2000 insert slides into an existing firebox, connects to a full-length stainless steel liner and turns a drafty opening into a working heater.
From our install team
On Long Island stove installs, the fuel decides the experience more than the stove. Buy seasoned wood early and keep it covered and off the ground; the glass stays clean and the stove performs as rated.
Can a wood stove run while the house is empty?
No. A wood fire needs someone home. Let it burn down before you leave, and put ashes in a lidded metal container outdoors, away from the deck and shingles.
High-efficiency or traditional wood fireplace?
Federal wood heater certification is aimed at stoves and inserts, but a few factory-built wood fireplaces are tested and certified too. Napoleon's installation manual for its High Country series states that it is certified to comply with the 2020 particulate emissions standards and lists the High Country 5000 as EPA certified. Its flue and outside air dampers close fully when the fire is out, which matters in a house that sits empty between visits.
A traditional radiant fireplace is a different promise. The Majestic Biltmore 42 gives you a 42 inch wide opening, full refractory lining and the proportions of a masonry hearth, framed in as a factory-built unit. Superior offers the same idea in its WRT4500. These are fireplaces for atmosphere first, not for heating a cold house.
Both types need a listed chimney, a hearth extension and framing planned before drywall. For outdoor fire, see our comparison of outdoor fireplaces and fire pits on Long Island.
Not sure what fits your space? We can review your chimney, framing and how often you use the house before you commit to wood or gas. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
Is a propane fireplace a good idea on the East End?
If your house runs on a propane tank, a factory propane fireplace is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to a weekend home. Direct vent units draw combustion air from outside through a sealed vent. The Napoleon Elevation X 36 propane model (EX36PTEL) is built for a tank supply, with a blower, remote and battery backup; natural gas houses use the matching EX36NTEL.
Gas solves the Friday night problem: press the remote and the room warms while the bags come in. For an existing masonry fireplace, a gas insert does the same work inside the old firebox; our guide to the best gas fireplace inserts for Long Island covers the models and liners. Browse all direct vent gas fireplaces.
What is the best fireplace for a rental?
If the house is rented for the summer or for winter weekends, electric is the responsible choice for most rooms. No flue, no fuel, nothing a guest can overfire. The Napoleon Elevation 36 traditional electric has glowing split oak logs, a remote and app control, and heats at up to 2,930 watts when wired for 240 volts. Browse the full range of electric fireplaces, and see our notes on electric fireplaces for all-electric homes.
From our install team
For owners who rent part of the year, we often suggest keeping the wood stove for themselves and writing it out of the rental agreement, with electric in the rooms guests use. It protects the house and keeps the insurance conversation simple.
Chimneys, insurance and the gas law
How often should the chimney be inspected?
NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys and fireplaces, says chimneys, fireplaces and vents shall be inspected at least once a year, with cleaning and repairs done as needed. For a house that sits closed for months, schedule the inspection before the first fire of the season. Older masonry chimneys often need a stainless liner before they can serve a modern stove or insert.
Do I need to tell my insurer?
Yes, call your carrier before you install. A building permit, a final inspection and a professional installation record make that conversation simple.
Does the New York gas ban affect my fireplace?
New York's All-Electric Buildings Act (Energy Law section 11-104) prohibits fossil-fuel equipment in new buildings: seven stories or fewer from December 31, 2025, and taller buildings after December 31, 2028. It does not apply to existing buildings, including repairs, alterations and additions. The Second Circuit upheld the law in June 2026, and enforcement remains paused until the case is finally resolved. The statute does not name fireplaces, but a gas or propane fireplace in a new house would count as equipment that burns fossil fuel. If you are building new, confirm current status and whether wood is acceptable in your plans with your building department. Our guide to the New York gas ban and gas fireplaces on Long Island tracks the details.
Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island and the North Fork
The East End is governed by five towns: Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Southold and Riverhead. Incorporated villages such as Sag Harbor, Southampton Village and East Hampton Village often run their own building departments, and Montauk falls under the Town of East Hampton. Expect a building permit and inspection for a new stove, insert, factory-built fireplace, chimney or gas line, and confirm requirements with the department that covers your address before you order. Historic district review can also apply to a visible new chimney.
On the South Fork many projects are full renovations or new houses, the right moment to plan a wood or gas fireplace. On the North Fork, from Riverhead to Orient, we see more existing farmhouses where a stove or insert in an old masonry fireplace is the best value.
Our recommended models
We picked these from active models we sell and install, one for each way East End owners actually use a fireplace.
Wood Burning Fireplaces Fireplace Inserts Majestic Napoleon Fireplaces Firewood Racks
Which should you choose?
Choose wood if:
- You stay for long weekends and winter weeks, not just overnight.
- You enjoy tending a fire and have dry storage for seasoned wood.
- You have a sound chimney, or you are building and can plan one.
Choose gas if:
- You want warmth minutes after you arrive.
- The house already has propane or natural gas.
- You are renovating an existing house rather than building new.
Choose electric if:
- The house is rented for part of the year.
- The room is a bedroom, guest suite or media wall.
- You are building new and want no fuel questions at all.
For most East End second homes we recommend an EPA 2020 certified stove or insert in the main room, and direct vent gas or electric everywhere else. Wood gives you the ritual; gas and electric make the house welcoming the moment you walk in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a wood stove in the Hamptons?
Yes, outside New York City wood stoves can be installed where local code allows. Choose an EPA 2020 certified model, use a listed chimney or a lined masonry chimney, and get a building permit from your town or village before installation.
Is it safe to leave a gas fireplace on when the house is empty?
We do not recommend leaving any fireplace running in an empty house. Gas is the easier choice for second homes because it starts in minutes when you arrive and shuts off at the remote, so there is no reason to leave it burning.
How often should a chimney be inspected on a second home?
NFPA 211 calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year. For a house that sits closed for months, book the inspection before the first fire of the season.
What is the best fireplace for a summer or winter rental?
Electric. There is no flue to maintain and no fuel for guests to handle. Many owners keep a wood stove for their own use and leave it out of the rental agreement.
Talk to a specialist
A warm house on the East End, from the first weekend of the season
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Tell us how you use the house and we will recommend the stove or fireplace that fits it.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens. Our Greenvale, Long Island showroom at 13 Glen Cove Road opens winter 2026. Plan your visit.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: 40 CFR 60.532, wood heater emission standards, NY Energy Law section 11-104, Barclay Damon, Second Circuit ruling, Mulhern Gas Co. v. Mosley docket, CSIA on NFPA 211, Napoleon High Country series. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.