I currently have two Harman XXV pellet stoves. I love the look, but they are dirty - ash goes everywhere and we need to clean the boxes at least once a week and the windows every day. We are thinking of changing the one in front of the fireplace to a natural gas insert. My concerns are:
1. The construction of the fireplace. There is very little space between the brick and the oak surround. We had doors at one time and they had to mount them inside the brick.
2. The shape of the fireplace. I love the arch and I don't want to lose it.
3. The size of the fireplace. The opening is very large compared to more modern fireplaces, and I would like to retain the size if possible.
4. The warmth of the pellet stove. We are getting a new boiler (that's a whole 'nother issue. A 400,000 BTU Lochinvar NG boiler for a 3400 sf home with no insulation, lots of cast iron radiators, lots of windows...), so the house will be heated primarily by the boiler instead of the stoves. We used to go through about 8 to 9 tons of pellets a year. But it is nice to be able to sit in front of a toasty fire when you come in from shoveling. Will the insert be as warm as the XXV?
5. The insert has to be vented up the chimney. The other side of the fireplace is a glass porch with the other Harman. There is no opportunity for a direct vent.
6. Pretty. The fireplace is beautiful, the Harman is nice but it sticks out into the room. I want an insert that looks appropriate in a 1938 Tudor.
Suggestions, comments, ideas? Thank you.
1. The construction of the fireplace. There is very little space between the brick and the oak surround. We had doors at one time and they had to mount them inside the brick.
2. The shape of the fireplace. I love the arch and I don't want to lose it.
3. The size of the fireplace. The opening is very large compared to more modern fireplaces, and I would like to retain the size if possible.
4. The warmth of the pellet stove. We are getting a new boiler (that's a whole 'nother issue. A 400,000 BTU Lochinvar NG boiler for a 3400 sf home with no insulation, lots of cast iron radiators, lots of windows...), so the house will be heated primarily by the boiler instead of the stoves. We used to go through about 8 to 9 tons of pellets a year. But it is nice to be able to sit in front of a toasty fire when you come in from shoveling. Will the insert be as warm as the XXV?
5. The insert has to be vented up the chimney. The other side of the fireplace is a glass porch with the other Harman. There is no opportunity for a direct vent.
6. Pretty. The fireplace is beautiful, the Harman is nice but it sticks out into the room. I want an insert that looks appropriate in a 1938 Tudor.
Suggestions, comments, ideas? Thank you.