Need some input and advice, looking to buy/install wood insert.

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hotjava66

Member
Feb 29, 2012
28
Michigan
I am thinking about putting a wood insert in my existing fireplace, we like to have fires but I want to be able to heat the house as well. The existing fireplace is pretty large 27x44 opening, has a large brick chamber above the damper, then necks down to a 15" square flue. I would like a large insert that will hold bigger splits and have long burn times, as well as be able to heat 2000+ square feet. I would also like to have an insert that is set up for outside combustion air, our house is prettty tight, and burning without a vent tends to dry out the house and aggrivate my allergies. The current fireplace has an ash door that opens into a deep dead space blocked in between the basement and crawlspace. There is a small access to get to it through the crawlspace, was thinking that would be a good route to get outside air to the fireplace since it does not have an outside wall. So far I have found the PE Summit, which looks about the best fit as of now, the Avalon Olympic, and the Lennox Canyon. The Olympic and Canyon I do not believe have an outside air provision. Are there any other good models or brands to take a look at? Also, what size and how far of a run can you put on the outside air intake? If I do it through the ash pit I would have multiple bends and at least 15' of run to get outside. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
 
We like our Regency I3100 - has a big firebox and works well for overnight burns. Just how airtight is your house? Have you done a negative pressure test? What year was it built? to R2000 standards? Windows, doors all really well sealed? Unless you have really gone to great lengths to seal the house, there's more than enough air to burn I would think. Pictures would help too (gotta love pictures...)
 
Thanks, I will check out the Regency as well. House is pretty tight, is an older home (late 60's) but was sealed up tight, was build by an architect for himself. Plastic sheeting behind all walls and ceilings, electric boxes sealed, casement windows of which most are newer, doors are tight made sure of thay myself, pretty crazy attention to sealing/insulation for the age of the house. It is more for my sensitivity to dryness and smokiness, plus just being a bit of a perfectionist lol, that makes me want outside air. What about the Harman 3000i, was just checking them out online. I hate buying something this major without feedback, and there are only a couple of dealers locally that carry maybe a half dozen brands between them so not a ton to look at.
 
Have you searched this forum on the brands you're looking at? IIRC Harman (for example) has a very good reputation on the Pellet Stoves forum but here I've seen a few horror stories about trying to rectify problems...also Hearthstone as another example is a popular woodstove but I've seen so-so reviews on their version of a pellet stove. Just a suggestion to do your research, read what real users have experienced with the different manufacturers here, and then go in to a dealer armed with all the right questions on the models you're interested in.

A brand you didn't mention but I see getting good press here is Jotul - if you can find a local dealer or a way to see/play with one in real life you may really like it.

Good luck!

Mary
 
Thanks, I have been doing some searches when I can. New dilemma is that our house is fairly modern/contemporary and having trouble finding an insert that will fit the house style. I have seen that regency has one but the firebox is quite small, also morso, wittus, don-bar, supreme look ok but I bet they are pricey and would be hard to find locally.
 
The Osburn 2400 is another big one that gets really good reviews here. Also check out the Napoleon 1402 and Blaze King Princess.
 
For 2,000 sq ft you are going to need something with at least a 3 cu ft firebox. I would start looking at these models: The PE Summit insert (3 cu ft), The Buck Model 91 (4.4 cu ft), the Country Flame model BFF (3.9 cu ft), Osburn 2400 (3.2 cu ft).

Anything smaller than a 3 cu ft firebox and you are going to be disappointed.
 
I have a Lopi Freedom insert and am very happy with it, I think you will find that most of the named brands are very much the same as far as burn times and quality are concerned and as far as matching your home style, warmth and comfort go with anything
 
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