I started burning toward the end of last winter off and on, but not constantly. Now that I have had a solid 1.5 mos of constant burning, I have some observations and a few questions. My stove is a Fisher Honey Bear Insert installed into my masonry fireplace with an insulated stainless liner in the chimney. This little stove really cranks out the heat, but it's hungry. I am wanting to get something bigger, and more efficient. What I do like about it is that about 3/4 of it sits on the hearth, so I get radiant heat as well as using the blower. Good if electricity goes out, which it does several times each winter because we have tons of trees in my neighborhood. I guess my stove is what is referred to as a "Hearth Heater". At least, that's what I've come up with in doing Google searches for what I want to replace it with. The selection of hearth heaters is very limited. In fact the only one I've found is a very small one by Regency. What I am looking for is something the size of an Englander 30-NC that can sit on my hearth, and connect to the liner in my chimney. I'm not having much luck. Can I just take the base off the 30-NC, and have a surround fabricated? I don't care about the ash drawer, so I could remove that without a problem, but would there be any other problems or concerns? I don't want to put it in front of the hearth on the floor because it would be too intrusive in my family room. I also want to be able to burn N/S as well as E/W. I want to keep the cost below $1500 total. My fireplace opening is 40"W X 29"H X 24" D. My house is 2,000 sq feet.
Also, will the new laws in 2015 affect my ability to buy these models? I didn't really want to change until after this season, but if it's going to be a problem, I would do it before year end.
Also, will the new laws in 2015 affect my ability to buy these models? I didn't really want to change until after this season, but if it's going to be a problem, I would do it before year end.
