Hi everyone,
Great site! I've learned a lot already from pouring through the archives and search results and have decided to install a Hampton HI300 insert; and more importantly, my wife has given me clearance to go ahead Reading some of the install stories, I really want to make sure I understand everything before turning my home over to an installer. Pulldownclaw, I've been reading your recent thread and feel for you.
We live in eastern Massachusetts, and the fireplace is in our family room. We have an external masonry chimney with a brick hearth. All the clearances look ok according to the HI300 manual, except for the hearth depth, which is only 20" from the face of the opening. I've found a dealer/installer that I get a good feeling from. Their plan would be to remove the damper; run a full-length, uninsulated, 5.5" stainless steel liner from the insert to the top of the flue; and seal between the surround and the facing of the hearth with insulation. My understanding is that this install is allowed by both the manual and by code. I asked, and they are willing to install a damper blocking plate (insulated or not) for an extra charge. So here are my questions:
1. I understand that an insulated liner would be ideal, but is it required? By "required" I mean is it foolhardy to go with an uninsulated liner?
2. Where exactly does the combustion air come from in this stove? I haven't been able to figure it out from the manual, or from searching the forums here. Does it come from within the fireplace (behind the surround,) or from the room?
3. Can I seal my fireplace with both a damper blocking plate, and insulating around the surround? One of my goals of installing the insert is to stop my furnace heat from leaving the house via the chimney (even when the insert is not operating.)
4. Is it useful to insulate a damper blocking plate, or just overkill? Closely related to this question I guess, is whether using a damper blocking plate is itself overkill when the top of the chimney, and the surround faceplate are both sealed?
Many thanks!
Doug
Great site! I've learned a lot already from pouring through the archives and search results and have decided to install a Hampton HI300 insert; and more importantly, my wife has given me clearance to go ahead Reading some of the install stories, I really want to make sure I understand everything before turning my home over to an installer. Pulldownclaw, I've been reading your recent thread and feel for you.
We live in eastern Massachusetts, and the fireplace is in our family room. We have an external masonry chimney with a brick hearth. All the clearances look ok according to the HI300 manual, except for the hearth depth, which is only 20" from the face of the opening. I've found a dealer/installer that I get a good feeling from. Their plan would be to remove the damper; run a full-length, uninsulated, 5.5" stainless steel liner from the insert to the top of the flue; and seal between the surround and the facing of the hearth with insulation. My understanding is that this install is allowed by both the manual and by code. I asked, and they are willing to install a damper blocking plate (insulated or not) for an extra charge. So here are my questions:
1. I understand that an insulated liner would be ideal, but is it required? By "required" I mean is it foolhardy to go with an uninsulated liner?
2. Where exactly does the combustion air come from in this stove? I haven't been able to figure it out from the manual, or from searching the forums here. Does it come from within the fireplace (behind the surround,) or from the room?
3. Can I seal my fireplace with both a damper blocking plate, and insulating around the surround? One of my goals of installing the insert is to stop my furnace heat from leaving the house via the chimney (even when the insert is not operating.)
4. Is it useful to insulate a damper blocking plate, or just overkill? Closely related to this question I guess, is whether using a damper blocking plate is itself overkill when the top of the chimney, and the surround faceplate are both sealed?
Many thanks!
Doug