high efficiency fireplace insert
Community
This may be a little odd but can anyone recommend a manufacturer of a quality yet reasonable priced high efficiency fireplace insert? I having a hard time finding anything definitive online.
When my wife and I lived in NC, we had a two storey log home and heated with a Vermont Castings catalytic insert. Loading before going to the hospital/university, we had coals enough to get the fire going easily. Same for bedtime. Home was about 2200 square foot and temp comfortable for most days and nights. Some really cold nights was good to have a comforter.
YMMV. Much will depend on floorplan and construction. The logs not only insulated,but retained heat well.
Oh man there are many variables on this
Do a search we discussed this last year I believe. I chose a Lopi Revere, very clean burning,efficient and it sticks out front enough to give you a cooking surface when the power goes out. I also use a handful of fiberglass insulation to choke down the air intake and can get 10 to 12 hours of burn per load, but then it rarely gets into single digits here, it sits in a 1k sq ft daylight basement and easily keeps it in the 70's.
If I had a larger room I would like at a Blaze King, large fire box, extremely efficient and has the ability to use outside air.
Can't beat natural gas fireplaces. I have two Heatilators in my house.
I'll look into Jotul and Blazeking.
I'm staying away from the gas fireplaces...gotta have natural wood! Great for an emergency, saves big on propane cost, and looks better.
Has anyone heard good things about Pacific Energy?
What about the models you can by on line like Napoleon, Timberwolf, Catalytic, Osburn?
I have an Osburn, It seems like a well made insert but I don't love it. Or I should say, I don't love the insert type of stove. Even with the blower, it just doesn't heat as well as a stove that has all sides exposed in the room.
I have a Lopi Freedom Bay that's been in use for the past 6-7 years (I'm guessing) and I couldn't be more pleased.
We went with the Freedom Bay because of the large size of our fireplace and I'm glad I did because it holds a good sized load of wood that provides all-night burning.
Our house a tad over 2400 sq. ft., is dual-zoned, and unless the temps are way, way down there (sub-zero wind chills), neither of the heat pumps kick on while the Lopi is burning. My electric bill is less than half in the winter of what it is in the summer.
I think if I ever quit burning wood, both dogs, the cat, and my wife would leave. :^)
When I heated with wood I had a wood stove sitting on the fireplace hearth. I Put a piece of Asbestos across the fireplace opening and ran the stove pipe through it. Would probably be arrested for doing that today. Always had a pot of water on the stove to keep the humidity up and a fan if I wanted to blow the heat down the hall. It kept the house nice and warm. Just remember to burn it wide open the first thing in the morning for a half hour or so the keep the chimney nice and clean.
Do you guys know about switching units out or modifications?
I currently have a zero clearance fireplace “Superior” (now Lennox) model SP38A. The cost of propane kills me and I try to use this fireplace to help heat my home. But obviously it does not have good efficiency. I have to feed a ton of wood and get it blazing hot to help on cold days these past two winters. I swear it almost sucks more cold air in the house than heat it produces. My house is always cold and I need some better options. Could I modify this current fireplace….. run a duct for combustion air ….better seals and use this unit efficiently?
If modifications to my current unit is not an option could I just replace the insert with a high efficiency model? I have no idea what would be compatible any ideas and opinions on models? I got two quotes from Lennox dealers in my local area, and they would only quote a complete switch out of all components (Fireplace, Flue, Rain Cap, Mantle, Etc…) and prices ranged from $10K-12K. I don’t have that kind of money to drop on this. I have a elk hunt coming up HAHA! I have a double wall stainless flue I really think this could be reused, and save a ton of work and cost.
The great thing about heating with wood is that it can heat you up multiple times.
Over the years I've worked out the efficiency variable to 5 times. :-)
Joey, when I was younger I cut down on some of the heatings of wood. I cut and split and let the kids do the loading and stacking. After they got older and left home I missed them. Also miss the Lasagna my wife used to make while we were getting wood. Now I know she just did it for the kids.
Shuteye, truth be known, I think mine are going to miss me. :-)
Live in maid, plumber, electrician, mason, mechanic, IT specialist, cook, banker, financial and spiritual adviser........among other services. Where they gonna find all that in one package out there in the real world? Plus, I'm a funny guy to boot. :-)
And hey, I make a killer venison lasagna my own self. ;-)
If I'd a just stayed in college........lol
