BeGreen said:A 2 cu ft insert will make a nice difference. In Chicago I wouldn't expect it to cover 100% of the heating. You folks get some strong winds and very low Canadian temps sometimes. But it should cover a good 90+% with great insulation if the house envelope is well sealed and there is not too much glass area.
I am anxious to get back and plug my remaining leaks. I need a good base line of gas consumption. This year has been warm. I think the insullation, casement windows will be a huge factor. I find it surprising that I can keep it at 57 from 9:30 to 7:30 am (furnace barely or does not run at all overnight) and then about 69 from 7:30am to 9:30pm.
I like the idea of a long burn though. I am gone for 12 hours some times and dont want tending the fire to be smething my wife is forced to do if a better solution is to buy one that is slighltly larger.
BTW: the fireplace insert is one part of my master plan of living off of very little money. We do a pretty good job now but my hobby is to reduce/reuce/recycle everything.