OK, so after NOT being able to install an insert last year, due to reverberations in my bank account from doing an emergency switch from oil to natural gas, with decommissioning of my oil tank as well in Nov 2008, I am now getting an insert this winter. I have settled on Jotul, as they are my preferred brand of the ones the local shop I am using carries. The shop has a good rep, and they seem like decent sorts. I do have an alternative shop to use if this does not work out.
The installer for local shop just left after doing a cleaning, inspection with camera and measuring. So I know I can fit either the C450 or the C550 in the fireplace.
The chimney has cracks in the liner, and the top flue tile is about to fail, so I need a relining no matter what. they are recommending straight pipe rather than flex, to avoid new tiles or other expensive options. Since they do not usually stock this, they need to get back to me on a price. Luckily, the chimney is a straight run, so it should be easy.
My choice is really which Jotul to get. I like the flush-fit look, and was hoping to get an Outside Air Kit as well.
I prefer the flush look of the 550, but I wonder if it might be too big for my house, plus it does not seem to have provision for an OAK. Does anyone know for sure? The installer said it did not, and I tend to think he was correct.
The C450 is OK looking, and it has provision for an OAK. BUT I only have 20 inches of brick hearth to work with, (also 5.25 inches raised above the floor), so the minimum 2.5 inches the C450 projects from the face of the FP is cutting the clearances close. I would like to avoid a hearth pad, I do not have a lot of space in this house, plus the ones I have seen are butt-ugly.
The house is a 1500 sq. ft. ranch, 'L' shaped, with the fireplace in the living-room at the end of the long leg of the 'L'. If you turn with your back to the fireplace, the dining room is to the right through a 10 foot wide walk-through, and the kitchen is an extension of that forward to your right. So the LR, DR and K take up that part of the L. There is a small door way from the K back into the LR at the far end. So air circulation is good through these rooms.
At the far end right side of the LR is a short hallway, (7 ft), going straight back, Bath is off that to the right, (shares a wall with the K), basement stairs across from that. Past them are two bed-room doors, so this is a straight line from the fireplace down the hall to them.
At the far end left of the LR is a short hallway, (4 ft), at right angles, this has a closet in the wall facing into the LR, and the front door facing the closet, and the master BR at the end of that. Air circulation to that is not as good. (yes, the house is poorly laid out)
The LR is about 23x11, with the DR and K added together taking up the same space as the LR.
So, will the 550 be too big? Would the 450 be big enough?
Thoughts on the OAK? (drafts thought the windows without it?)
I plan to use these mostly on the weekends as I am not always home during the week. Though when I get the hang of burning, I will use it during the week when I am at home as well.
Thoughts from the masters?
The installer for local shop just left after doing a cleaning, inspection with camera and measuring. So I know I can fit either the C450 or the C550 in the fireplace.
The chimney has cracks in the liner, and the top flue tile is about to fail, so I need a relining no matter what. they are recommending straight pipe rather than flex, to avoid new tiles or other expensive options. Since they do not usually stock this, they need to get back to me on a price. Luckily, the chimney is a straight run, so it should be easy.
My choice is really which Jotul to get. I like the flush-fit look, and was hoping to get an Outside Air Kit as well.
I prefer the flush look of the 550, but I wonder if it might be too big for my house, plus it does not seem to have provision for an OAK. Does anyone know for sure? The installer said it did not, and I tend to think he was correct.
The C450 is OK looking, and it has provision for an OAK. BUT I only have 20 inches of brick hearth to work with, (also 5.25 inches raised above the floor), so the minimum 2.5 inches the C450 projects from the face of the FP is cutting the clearances close. I would like to avoid a hearth pad, I do not have a lot of space in this house, plus the ones I have seen are butt-ugly.
The house is a 1500 sq. ft. ranch, 'L' shaped, with the fireplace in the living-room at the end of the long leg of the 'L'. If you turn with your back to the fireplace, the dining room is to the right through a 10 foot wide walk-through, and the kitchen is an extension of that forward to your right. So the LR, DR and K take up that part of the L. There is a small door way from the K back into the LR at the far end. So air circulation is good through these rooms.
At the far end right side of the LR is a short hallway, (7 ft), going straight back, Bath is off that to the right, (shares a wall with the K), basement stairs across from that. Past them are two bed-room doors, so this is a straight line from the fireplace down the hall to them.
At the far end left of the LR is a short hallway, (4 ft), at right angles, this has a closet in the wall facing into the LR, and the front door facing the closet, and the master BR at the end of that. Air circulation to that is not as good. (yes, the house is poorly laid out)
The LR is about 23x11, with the DR and K added together taking up the same space as the LR.
So, will the 550 be too big? Would the 450 be big enough?
Thoughts on the OAK? (drafts thought the windows without it?)
I plan to use these mostly on the weekends as I am not always home during the week. Though when I get the hang of burning, I will use it during the week when I am at home as well.
Thoughts from the masters?
I have a 2700 sq ft colonial with 10 foot ceilings down stairs. The stove will heat my entire house except on the coldest of winter nights. I actually stayed up all night once on a -20f night just feeding the stove keeping it at max operating temperature to see what she could do. She was able to keep my house at 66 degrees the whole night!! maintaining a 90 degree temperature gradient in a house this size is unbelievable! I'm very happy with this stove!! I will say however that these stoves like to burn. they are designed to burn efficiently and in order to do this they have to have air. Thats why Jotul has limited how much you can damp her down. I hear about so many people adulterating the dampers on these stoves but all they are doing is voiding their warranty and creating a less efficient appliance. Your decision between the Rockland or the Kennebec should be solely based on the size of the space you wish to heat with it. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you have a Jotul insert that is too big for your house because your going to constantly be trying to damp it down and it will heat you out of the house.
