Radiant Heat with Wood Stove Question

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

tpm1952

Member
Aug 3, 2010
31
Mid Michigan
Iam in the planning stages of bldg a new ranch home (approx 1950 sq ft) and I plan on using Warmboard radiant heat as my sub floor and primary heat source. I also want to use a Jotul C550 insert in the large family room area on an outside wall as the secondary heat source.

I would like to know how this woodburner will effect the radiant heat in my scenerio. Would like to hear from anyone with a similar type of setup. One of the questions I have is if the Jotul takes over with primary htg I assume the floor radiant heat will not keep the floors warm.

Any real life experiences would be appreciated as I have not finished the planning stages of construction yet.

Thanks Tom
 
If the house is not built yet consider putting in a modern zero clearance fireplace instead of putting in a masonry fireplace just to house the insert. It will be more cost effective, efficient and has the potential for ducting some of the heat to other areas of the house.
 
So you are going to pay to build a masonry fireplace just to put an insert in it? That is allot of money for nothing i would strongly suggest either a high efficiency zero clearance unit or a freestander
 
Yeah what he said
 
Are you going to put in a basement or slab on grade?
 
Will have full basement. The FP chase will go upside the exterior wall. The stone will be applied all way up the wall to the ceiling. I was looking at the jotul 500 freestanding but it has too big footprint for the room. The jotul C550 is a zero clearance unit as I understand.

http://jotul.com/us/products/fireplace-inserts/jotul-c-550-rockland-cb
 
So you are going to pay to build a masonry fireplace just to put an insert in it? That is allot of money for nothing i would strongly suggest either a high efficiency zero clearance unit or a freestander
Isnt the Jotul C550 a high efficiency zero clearance freestanding unit ?
 
No, the C550 is not a zero clearance unit but an insert that has to go in a full masonry fireplace. For a zero clearance fireplace you can look at the following manufacturers/models:

RSF, Superior fireplaces, Kozyheat 42, Pacific Energy FP30, Valcourt, Regency R90, HeatnGlo Northstar, FireplaceXtraordinaire, Flame Monaco for a budget option

Some of those can be ducted to deliver heat to other areas of the house. Check also into the option of adding an outside air kit to the fireplace.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.