Looking at putting an insert into our preway zero clearance fireplace in our main living room. The fireplace is centrally located in our living room is approximately 700 square feet with vaulted ceilings that slope from 8' on one end all the way to 22 feet on the other. Our dining room and kitchen are behind me in the picture with standard 8 foot ceilings. Above the living room on the second floor are 2 standard sized bedrooms. Along the wall on the right those sliding glass doors continue along the length of the wall all the way across. Makes for a great view of the woods but heat loss is a concern. House could be considered reasonably well insulated but the living room stays several degrees cooler than the rest of the house due to the vaulted ceilings. Natural gas is our default heating source.
Using our inefficient, wood eating but asthetically pleasing zero clearance fireplace burning seasoned oak, cherry and hickory I was able to heat all five rooms comfortably. OAT last night was 18 deg F and the living room was 71 degrees. This is of course was with a cranking open door fire and ceiling fan. I have access to plenty of free wood here in Western Michigan on our property and the neighborhood. I am planning an insert install, most likely Pacific Energy Pacific or Summit based on the reviews here. My goal is to heat those five rooms mentioned to the low to mid 70's and hopefully get overnight burns.
I called a few local dealers for price quotes and one cautioned against too big an insert, namely the Summit versus the Pacific. Based on my setup, will I cook us out of the house with a summit? I want to get as big a firebox as possible for longer burns.
Also we get a noticeable smoky smell from the open door fires, will the "closed" system of an insert alleviate this?
I am planning a complete DIY install to include an insulated SS liner (metal interior chimney is 20 feet) and comply with all the manual requirements. Which brings me to my biggest concern. What if I do the entire job, schedule an inspection from the township and I draw a character like Elk? I know he is banned from this site, but he said in his tenure he passed only one "zero clearance install" and that was one too many. If I DIY, do I need an inspection? Seems I should go interview the township inspector now and "get a feel" for his requirements since they are subject to so much individual whims before I get started.
Using our inefficient, wood eating but asthetically pleasing zero clearance fireplace burning seasoned oak, cherry and hickory I was able to heat all five rooms comfortably. OAT last night was 18 deg F and the living room was 71 degrees. This is of course was with a cranking open door fire and ceiling fan. I have access to plenty of free wood here in Western Michigan on our property and the neighborhood. I am planning an insert install, most likely Pacific Energy Pacific or Summit based on the reviews here. My goal is to heat those five rooms mentioned to the low to mid 70's and hopefully get overnight burns.
I called a few local dealers for price quotes and one cautioned against too big an insert, namely the Summit versus the Pacific. Based on my setup, will I cook us out of the house with a summit? I want to get as big a firebox as possible for longer burns.
Also we get a noticeable smoky smell from the open door fires, will the "closed" system of an insert alleviate this?
I am planning a complete DIY install to include an insulated SS liner (metal interior chimney is 20 feet) and comply with all the manual requirements. Which brings me to my biggest concern. What if I do the entire job, schedule an inspection from the township and I draw a character like Elk? I know he is banned from this site, but he said in his tenure he passed only one "zero clearance install" and that was one too many. If I DIY, do I need an inspection? Seems I should go interview the township inspector now and "get a feel" for his requirements since they are subject to so much individual whims before I get started.
