Wood Insert In Pre Fab Fireplace

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ryanm51981

New Member
Sep 28, 2012
23

Im in the market for a wood insert inside my fireplace. My fireplace has a heatilator and the dimensions are a little on the small side. Ive been looking at the Regency CI1200 insert which I know will fit however I wanna make sure Ive explored all my options before I pull the trigger on that one. My dimensions are roughly:
21" height
17.5" Depth however probably could squeeze out another half inch
35" Width.
I like the regency unit alot however I feel as if Im not utiluzing the space as best as I can meaning I think I can get a bigger insert in there. If I needed a half inch on the height could the new insert be hacked in there?
 
Hi Ryan a couple of things. Make sure the fp is listed for an insert to be put into- second what type of chimney do u have? Hopefully a clay flue so a liner can be dropped down for proper draft. If its not a clay tile (IE metal pipe chimney) check with your local building inspector about installing a liner into the fp original metal chimney. Hopefully its not an issue. If the regency is listed, thats a nice stove Your height/depth might limit what can fit. Good luck with the project.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
 
It actually says on the Heatilator do not use with an insert. I had a reputuable local fireplace company come to my house to measure to make sure the regency would fit. The chimney is a metal pipe chimney so hes going to drop the liner down .
 
I don't know about the particular heatilator model you have, but I would take serious look at the Enviro inserts. They seem to be the best suited to these types of installs. Nothing against the Regency, they are really nice and I would be happy to own one. Are you sure the Regency will work with your height though? You may be able to squeeze an Enviro 1700 in there, which would give you a lot more firebox size and overall heating capability. I've looked over both brands inserts quite a bit and have seen both burning. The Regency made my final "short list", but I choose the Enviro instead for various reasons. If you have any specific questions, please ask.

Just a heads up, Enviro's dealer network sucks in some areas.

Edit-Ignore this post
 
Im pretty sure I need a flush mount insert and my house is Contemporary style so I like the more modern inserts. I like the morso units but they dont fit.
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That would be a stop work order right there.
Ive gone to 4 different fireplace stores and thats never been an issue.......Are they just trying to make the sale??The salesmen have been telling me the regency is used all the time in applications like mine. My heatilator was made in 88' so im assuming inserts were different back then and thats why it says that
 
Stop speculating. If the ZC fireplace mfg. says it can not be used with an insert, that is the final word.

Your options are to live with it, or remove this fireplace and replace it with a modern EPA ZC fireplace or possibly to convert this area to a freestanding stove alcove.
 
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Im not doubting your knowledge since u have 31k posts on this forum but why would this company want to go ahead and install then? Ive read some other posts on here about people installing in ZC Prefab fireplaces and ones with heatilators like mine........Am I seriously running the risk of a fire if I went ahead and installed. Ive already gave a 1800 dollar deposit and spent countless hours shopping around and doing research on the computer. Just wondering if there was anyone else on this forum that could concur
 
Sorry to break this to you, but begreen is right. The people installing aren't always looking out for your best interests. You also run the risk of your insurance company not covering you if there was a fire.
 
I can appreciate the confusion here. We have nothing to gain whether you go ahead or not. Ask your installer if they are going to pull a permit for this installation. And for peace of mind, contact the local inspecting authority and ask them if they will sign off on the installation given this caveat.

Heatilator makes lots of units with varying styles and construction. Some are ok for inserts some are not. When either the fireplace or insert manufacturer explicitly forbids an installation it's pretty much end of story. Sorry to break this news, but it sounds like you already had this concern.
 
So it says not to use an inseret, but your going to put one in anyway?
 
Ryan the reason it says not to put any other appliance inside this heatilator is that it was not tested and listed to be used that way. It typically cost a mfr a couple hundred thousand to get a product tested to see if its qualifies to be used for that. Its a big venture for them to get ul listing. Secondly that chimney wood stoves need a class a chimney (able to withstand 2100 deg for a min of 10 mins IE a chimney fire and have a good chance of not burning the surrounding area up). Normally its the chimney that makes an install not happen if a mfr is listing their fpl to have an insert inside, that does not mean the chimney is listed for solid fuel. Only solid packed s/s pipe and 3/4 inch clay fire tiles meet 2100 temp requirements hence are listed as class a chimneys. I think you'll find plenty of hearth stores and installers who will do what you want- but for everyone's safety, check with your local building inspector after all is said and t idone he/she has the final call. Remember we all invite fire in our house with wood burning appliances, lets treat it accordingly. BeGreen good ref to adher to as well. Good luck. I go through this a lot with customers here in CT- I want to make a sale, but don't want anyone to make the local news.....
Hey Kingquad agree totally with Enviro being great value for money spent- They finally gave us a cast iron free standing stove we waited years for (the boston) beautiful (but expensive compared to Kodiaks) stove too!

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
 
Doesn't that blurred section of the nameplate say something like 'not designed for'? Many inserts are intended to include zero clearance fireplaces. The several pros you consulted don't see a problem and they'll install it. Some people here seem to have a predispostion to free standing stoves vs inserts, in my opinion. It's easy to take the 'high road', 'that specific combination was never tested by a certified safety laboratory', etc. Perhaps they are worried about their own liability, even on an internet forum.

PS: I've had 3 inserts in two different Heatilators (not saying it's the same model) installed professionally and have had no problems. The one I have now is in a Heatilator. Hopefully I won't get criticized now.
 
Contact heatilator and ask them. If they tell you it's ok, then ask them for it in writing.
 
Ryan, the flash obscures part of the text. Velvetfoot brings up an important point. What is the verbatim statement on the label?

There is a huge difference between "do not use with an insert." as you posted versus "do not use with an insert that is not designed for use with this product."
 
It is always well-advised to use any wood burning appliance the way the mfr intended. Wood burning inserts are meant to be installed in masonary fireplaces with clay liner flues.... ZC fireplaces are always questionable maybe the box is "safe" is the metal chimney?? SS liners are meant to downsize the flue for proper drafting of an insert but it still has the protection of the fire clay tile to provide safety if a liner malfunction occurs. Liners dropped down a flue that has been compromised are an iffy area as well,,, building inspector should have final say. I know everyone's main concern on this forum and installers alike is safety.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
 
Verbatim it says "Do not use a fireplace insert or other products not specified for use with this product"
 
"If in doubt, call it out"

Call or visit your town building inspector, they maybe required to OK the install, and could save you a ton of money if they, or down the road, the future buyer of your house does not approve. As well your home insurance provider will have an opinion.

Have you considered removing the prefab and starting from that point. It will add a bit to the cost, but you could then possibly put in a larger unit, rather than shoe horning in a small insert into an unsafe prefab.

Has the existing chimney been inspected?
 
I have a heatilator ZC fireplace and put a Pacific Energy Vista in. My installer did say that the heatilator boxes like yours are more difficult to work with. Mine did not have the vent looking things on the top and bottom. Have the installer come out and take measurements and look for himself to be sure. If they want the sale, they will come out with no charge.
 
I would say the issue is they never tested for that purpose , like someone said to save money, Testing takes time and money.

As the thing is approved to have wood fires in it, but not to slide a total enclosed insert into which would be another lay of protection to the fireplace.

The thing that might be of issue is a fire place is very inefficient, lots of the heat goes up the chimney and heat doesnt build up in the fireplace. A wood stove is designed to
keep the heat in the the house thus more heat builds up in the fireplace. It has to be able to take the extra heat.

If you call them I dont expect they will say ok as its a liability issue. Your house burns down and they never tested for this application, someones liable and they say , who are you , we never talked to you on the phone.
 
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