My DH gave me money for Christmas for a fireplace that we've been wanting since we built. It's been 10 years in this house and it's about time.
We're not looking for a sole heat source here, we have in-floor heat and we're happy with it, but we also have 6 kids that need more chores to keep them busy, and in a cold snap that floor just does not heat up fast enough for me. We want a wood heat source just in case all hell breakes loose and because they're nice to look at. If all else fails we can all snuggle up in the living room to sleep.
The plans have a 9ft x 2.5ft bump out in the living room where we plan to install. The main dealer here in AK sells Kozy Heat brand fireplaces, but after reading some of what I've found in these forums, I'm wondering if it's too big. Our total house sf is only 2000, and 1/2 of that is upstairs where this will be installed. We have somewhat vaulted ceelings up there and 2 back bedrooms, the rest is just open (dining, kitchen, living, split entry, hall).
I love the idea of getting a great effeciency fireplace right off the bat, I've been reading articles and trying to educate myself about the ins and outs of this. But the 242 and the 231ZC that I was looking at (mostly 'cause they're pretty) seem to be the sole heat source for 2000 sf homes. I don't want a fireplace that's too big for it's britches, and frankly I don't want to spend more than I have to...
Advice for this "native" Alaskan new to wood heat is appreciated. (sorry about spelling, no Word on this computer yet to check it with...aaak)
We're not looking for a sole heat source here, we have in-floor heat and we're happy with it, but we also have 6 kids that need more chores to keep them busy, and in a cold snap that floor just does not heat up fast enough for me. We want a wood heat source just in case all hell breakes loose and because they're nice to look at. If all else fails we can all snuggle up in the living room to sleep.
The plans have a 9ft x 2.5ft bump out in the living room where we plan to install. The main dealer here in AK sells Kozy Heat brand fireplaces, but after reading some of what I've found in these forums, I'm wondering if it's too big. Our total house sf is only 2000, and 1/2 of that is upstairs where this will be installed. We have somewhat vaulted ceelings up there and 2 back bedrooms, the rest is just open (dining, kitchen, living, split entry, hall).
I love the idea of getting a great effeciency fireplace right off the bat, I've been reading articles and trying to educate myself about the ins and outs of this. But the 242 and the 231ZC that I was looking at (mostly 'cause they're pretty) seem to be the sole heat source for 2000 sf homes. I don't want a fireplace that's too big for it's britches, and frankly I don't want to spend more than I have to...
Advice for this "native" Alaskan new to wood heat is appreciated. (sorry about spelling, no Word on this computer yet to check it with...aaak)