I'm looking for an insert for one of my 4 fireplaces. I want to use this to heat as much of my 4000+sqft house. The fireplace I want the insert in is located in the center of the house and is large(50x32) opening. My house has 10' ceilings downstairs and is very open with the main room ceiling of 20'. What options do I have to heat this space? I have plenty of wood and want to actually get a little heat from all I burn this year. Thanks in advance for any help. T
Researching inserts and came across this site......need some info please......
- Thread starter twang
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With those high ceilings + huge sq ftg I would be looking into a wood furnace. If you are looking at an insert, what are the dimensions of the fireplace it would be going into?
The Canyon C310 by Lennox hearth products has a big firebox, I just got an Osbun 2400i with a 3.2 firebox, or perhaps the Regency I3100. I know Pacific Energy makes an insert with a big firebox but I can't remember how big.
weatherguy
Minister of Fire
You may want to consider the American made Kuma, its about as big as you can get for an insert and they're priced right.
http://kumastoves.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=25
http://kumastoves.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=25
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Twang said:
Random thoughts . . .
With that size house and 10-20 foot ceilings I'm thinking any insert you put into the house will really be taxed to do much more than heat the room and the surrounding rooms . . . this could be a real challenge for any insert or woodstove.
Next thought . . .when you mention burning wood this year do you mean you have already bucked up, split and stacked the wood . . . and if so . . . how long ago . . . here's to hoping you processed this wood several months ago and don't expect to put in an insert in the next few weeks and then go out and start cutting fuel for the insert.
firefighterjake said:
I was thinking most would be taxed but wanted to see what the best options are. I would like to be able to heat as much area as possible but doubt I can heat the entire house with one inserrt.
As far as wood goes, I have about 50acres of hardwoods behind my house and have about 15 cords cut/split/stacked right now. The newest was cut last winter with most of it 24 mths + old.
Fsappo
Minister of Fire
My house us 4200 sqft and the fpx 44 elite handles the job.
I also have 10-14 ft ceilings on the first floor and the 2nd story family room has 18 ft ceilings.
Ceiling fans are a must in these rooms.
My house has over the top insulation and windows so it really does not require as many btu as you would think
Good luck
I also have 10-14 ft ceilings on the first floor and the 2nd story family room has 18 ft ceilings.
Ceiling fans are a must in these rooms.
My house has over the top insulation and windows so it really does not require as many btu as you would think
Good luck
The FPX44 is an excellent choice and a very nice unit, but it's not an insert, it's an independent, ducted, 4.3 cu ft fireplace. I'm not sure that was an option here. Good that you have the place well insulated and window coverings too.
Without knowing the fireplace sizes, it's hard to know what to recommend other than - as big as possible. If a wood furnace is a poor option, I'd be tempted to install 2 units, maybe one being a free-standing hearth stove and the other unit being a real insert. That way during shoulder seasons one unit could handle the moderate load efficiently, but there would be reserves for the really cold weather.
Without knowing the fireplace sizes, it's hard to know what to recommend other than - as big as possible. If a wood furnace is a poor option, I'd be tempted to install 2 units, maybe one being a free-standing hearth stove and the other unit being a real insert. That way during shoulder seasons one unit could handle the moderate load efficiently, but there would be reserves for the really cold weather.
BeGreen said:
The main fireplace is 50"w x 31"h x 22"d. Like I said I have 4 fireplaces. This is the one I burn most often. With a big fire it helps heat the room but goes thru wood like you wouldn't believe. I really want something that can actually heat and not eat wood like the fireplace does.
madison
Minister of Fire
You essentially would building or major renovate the hearth around the fpx fireplace, VS installing an insert into an existing fireplace without major hearth remodeling.
Depending on your climate and home construction, an insert would not "cut the mustard" if you are thinking you can heat the entire 4000 sq ft home.
The largest freestanding would be taxed as well. Unless you have a superior insulated home, and with four fireplaces, I would be surprised that the home air tight like 44 elite's.
Depending on your climate and home construction, an insert would not "cut the mustard" if you are thinking you can heat the entire 4000 sq ft home.
The largest freestanding would be taxed as well. Unless you have a superior insulated home, and with four fireplaces, I would be surprised that the home air tight like 44 elite's.
For large inserts the big Buck tops off at 4.4 cu ft.. It is available with secondary burn as the model 94 or the catalytic version Buck 91. That should really reduce wood consumption while kicking out the heat.
What state are you located in twang?
What state are you located in twang?
After looking more on this site and your suggestions, I have narrowed it down a bit....these are the ones that seem to fit my needs as close as possible. Any educated opinions on these? Others?
Buck 94NC
Buck 91
Harman 300i
Kuma Sequoia
PE Summit
Buck 94NC
Buck 91
Harman 300i
Kuma Sequoia
PE Summit
laynes69
Minister of Fire
laynes69 said:
Just took a look at the Max. That would definitely do the job but I'm not sure it's a viable option for me. I really don't have a place to install the unit.....
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Mmmmm . . . good deal on the wood . . . sounds like it should be good and well seasoned which is definitely a good thing.
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