am I correct in thinking that for a given quantity of timber burned, that more heat will enter the room from a freestanding stove than an insert
insert vs freestanding stove
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Big Dan
New Member
Yes I have an existing fireplace on an internal masonry wall. But will the heat from 3 sides not just be radiated into the surrounding walls
Big Dan
New Member
Grisu
Minister of Fire
In an interior fireplace with block-off plate and insulation above, no. In an exterior fireplace you may lose some heat to the outside through the back of the fireplace. If there is enough room you can put Roxul around the insert which will reduce that heat loss. Another point that let's people think inserts provide less heat: The masonry will take up some of the heat so they may think the insert provides less heat. However, that heat will also be radiated to the room later.
Big Dan
New Member
so is it a question of the rate of heat transfer into the room being faster with a freestanding stove?
Grisu
Minister of Fire
Exactly. What you get with all that masonry is free thermal mass that will even out the temp swings. Usually people pay extra for that by buying a soapstone stove.
Big Dan
New Member
the big plus side of an insert is it fits into an unused fireplace rather than taking up a bunch a room like a free stander
yes, that is exactly the quandary I have - whether to extend the hearth and bring the face of the fire into the room which may not be great aesthetically, or go for the insert which seems not to have the same response time but may look better.
missedbass
Member
my concern was that I would be wasting energy burning timber that would not be heating the house but having thought about your response I can see that the thermal heat sink of the masonry, especially as its an internal wall, is the balancing factor. on that basis I think I will go with the insert which will fit better with my room design
If it is a traditional masonry unit, then having a specific insert is not the only option.
If you have the room, and the fireplace is aesthetically pleasing as it is, then it may be possible to place a freestanding stove inside of the fireplace. The only real difference is the insert would have a surround which hides the inside of the fireplace and pretty much requires the fan to be running anytime the insert is burning. A freestanding stove if placed inside a fireplace can convect a bit more heat out of the fireplace and be less dependent on a blower (although you may still want to use one depending on the fireplace configuration).
example:
Sons924
Burning Hunk
- Mar 7, 2013
- 243
A free stander will heat more. You can place it in front of the fireplace and pipe it up the chimney. An insert will heat well, depending on your layout, insulation, and your insert choice. An insert relies on the fan to heat on cold nights. What is your sq footage?
Big Dan
New Member
Rock Crusher
Member
Dix
Minister of Fire
I opted for an insert in a central (brick & masonery) chiney, instead of a free stander (but note I have 2 stoves, as the house layout was NOT gonna work with 1 stove/insert)
I heat 1400 SF with the PE, and it does an awesome job. The chimney radiates quite a bit of heat even after the fan has stopped cycling.
Welcome to the forums !!
I heat 1400 SF with the PE, and it does an awesome job. The chimney radiates quite a bit of heat even after the fan has stopped cycling.
Welcome to the forums !!
logger
Minister of Fire
I'll chime in with one point. I enjoy being able to be self-sufficient if need be. We've lost power here quite a few times and I can say one thing when that happens in the winter, I've never appreciated a free standing stove more. If I had the choice between the two, Id hands down take a free stander. I love inserts and owned a house with one for quite some time. Most rely on the electric blowers, which do wonders, but if power goes out you'll still need a generator to move the heat w the blower. I've been able to heat the house and cook on and in the stove with ease without relying on the electric or starting the generator. Thats probably the only reason Id choose one over the other. Either way, you'll enjoy it whatever choice you make. Best of luck.
I have a normal fireplace in my house, that prevented me from inserting a wood stove inside of it. I believe you will find that most fireplaces are too small for a wood stove to fit in, at least here in the USA. I went with the only option really available to me, getting an insert for the fireplace. Let me tell you that I couldn't be more happy about that choice. Yes I need a blower fan to push the heat out which I know uses electricity and adds noise but I also saved a ton of money on my heating bill. I now think of the noise as welcomed compared to an empty wallet. I recently switched Insurance companies and the new rep came out to inspect my house to give me the best coverage for my needs. He told me that because it was an insert my rates wouldn't be impacted and if it was a free standing wood stove I would have to pay more.
There are several options available to you. Perhaps you can fit a wood stove in your fireplace or maybe you can ad a wood stove to your house; cut a hole in your chimney to fit a thimble and some pipe or ad a second chimney elsewhere, but the best option seems to be a fireplace insert. You wont lose any floor space and you will have a fire to look at in the fireplace.
There are several options available to you. Perhaps you can fit a wood stove in your fireplace or maybe you can ad a wood stove to your house; cut a hole in your chimney to fit a thimble and some pipe or ad a second chimney elsewhere, but the best option seems to be a fireplace insert. You wont lose any floor space and you will have a fire to look at in the fireplace.
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