Will an insert heat us out of the room?

I doubt a small insert would run you out. Depends on if you like wood heat feel. We have a stove in a masonry FP, in a 250sf great room. Near stove is 100*F and far end of room is 78*F. And it feels marvelous when 28*F outside.

Since you're talking about an insert, obviously there is already a fireplace in that room. What is your experience with how warm the room gets with a fire in your current setup? Obviously the insert is going to give you much more heat into the room rather than loss up the chimney.

With that being said, your comfort and temperature are going to be influenced by a few things. You can adjust the size of the fire you build and you can also use a fan or two to push the air around the rest of the house.
Your choice in freestanding or insert will also affect your heat output.

I really would not rule out installing an insert or stove for fear of the temps getting too high. Just be realistic and specific about what your expectations are going to be.

Seems like a fairly open floor plan. But a 8' ceilings and a medium sized room, tough decisions.
Is there a ceiling fan in the room to disperse and create air flow?
One factor is, in planning, if you decide you want more than occasional & ambiance heat, but get a smaller or medium sized insert, you may end up regretting not getting a large.
As far as heating you out of the room, you have some openings and would depend on if a good convection loop was established. Ceiling fan may help with this.
Truly flush inserts don't toss out the heated air as much as one that extends out some or alot. Fan is a must if you decide you want to get the most heated air from the insert. Also depends on the insert size.
In your situation, maybe a Blaze King princess for lower burns, which you could adjust for higher output if wanted. Only problem there, is there won't be much ambiance at low burns, but maybe a happy medium with some view with a more medium burn.
Contrary to what some may say, a non-cat can be burned with smaller loads while still burning cleanly and efficiently, even the larger sizes.

You have time to research, pick 3 you're interested in, and meet your wants & needs most. Then research more, and narrow it down.
I always say get more than you think you need, cause if you need it, you have it.
A smaller stove that handles a good portion or most of the load, may be okay, but like this winter & last winter, with these sub zero temps, having the extra heating capacity is a relief for many. For those that don't have it, they are getting all they can and nothing left in the tank for added oompf.

I think the main thing to think about is if your wants, needs and expectations will become more than you originally plan.
If you fall in love with it, like most of us, you're insert may become your primary source of heat, with the furnace or boiler becoming the supplemental or back up heat.
The love of type the heat, and the wood burning life style, not to mention the cash savings, may convert you whether you plan on it or not.
On the other hand, you may decide the work involved is not to your liking.
There truly is not heat like wood heat, it is just so different than any other heat. Addictive!
These are things to ponder.

I agree with Hogwildz on a BK princess. However as a flush insert owner I disagree with him on getting one. With all due respect. Flush inserts look great no question that's why I got mine. If you really think that you are going to use it for ambience and little supplement for your furnace it may not be a bad idea. That's how I end up with mine. But now after two years or almost three I want to use the stove all the time. So needles to say I am planing on selling my insert and buying a princess. My stove heats the house great, but because of its shallow box it's almost imposible to get a full advantage of its 2.2 cf fire box. Therefore shorter burn times. A lot of time we are gone for 10 or even more hours that's why I WANT the princess.

Its only going to heat by as much wood is loaded in the firebox. With inserts, I almost always suggest getting something with a big view. Especially if someone mentions ambiance. Only because I have experience with this product line, it was the first I checked:
http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-inserts/clydesdale-wood-insert
Looks like it will just snug right in there. It has an adjustable faceplate so you can just about get that flush look. Large glass, smooth even heat. And in my opinion is very classy looking. Overnight burns can be had as well.

Clyde is a nice looking insert. How deep is the box?

It'll be the warmest, most used room in the house in the winter. I presume there are windows? If it gets too hot, open them. Our LR is about 360sqft and in the winter, when outside is below -10C, the LR cruises between 68 first thing and 85 with a major load going.

Don't like flush inserts myself, think part of the charm of an insert is being able to see some of the stove.

Def get a blower, that's another way to moderate the heat, if it is too hot, I just turn off the blower. Shoulder season can get a bit wonky, but I'd rather have the LR hot than no heat or use the furnace.

Lastly, get as big an insert as you can - as the saying goes, you can always build a smaller fire in a big firebox, but you can't do the opposite.

begreen said:

not candle melting warmer

Click to expand...

so much for the hot wax fetish parties.

You can get it candle melting hot with a clyde. Oh yea Baby!

I personally would not worry about too much heat. If it gets a little too warm use a fan to blow cool air into the room, which will push hot air out.