Hi all,
After many hours of research on this site and manufacture sites I made a choice. I really appreciate all the people that participate in this forum. My need to research when first involved in something new is important to me.
I hope that this post helps others.
My wife and I bought our house in January 2014. Northern Ohio then had one of the coldest winters in 30 years, at least that is what they said. It was COLD. Negative in the double digits for 2 weeks straight with a low of -15. Electric and Gas was quite outrageous in price even with keeping it at 50deg.
Our thought during the winter was to get a wood stove to heat the house and to save money. But as well we both appreciate a fire and believe we will like the physical labor / chore that comes with it. I have chopped much wood in the past and her father use to heat the house with a Buck.
Our House: Built 1970's. 3 stories. Basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor.
The floor plan for the basement and the main floor is rectangular (see image below)
Walk out basement with 3 bedrooms, bathroom and large laundry area. Very typical layout.
1st floor has the fireplace at the end of the short side (Closer to the garage). Cathedral ceilings in the fire place room that also has a loft area above. Kitchen is open / connected to fireplace room and you can see the other end of the house from end to end. Problem is there are 4 Double sliding doors that are older and LEAKY! We will be sealing them for the winter as a quick fix until we have enough $$ to replace. I do not know how efficient the seal is but I hear it works well.
2nd floor is the loft that is open all sides and the master bedroom. One door leads to the master bedroom approx 40 ft away from the fireplace.
I attached the floor plan and some pictures.
Insert: First I knew nothing but that a Buck is a good stove. Found there were flush inserts by all manufactures. Realized flush inserts aren't quite as efficient and I like the thoughts about the "in case of a power outage" BUT the wife wants a contemporary look with a Flush insert. I like the flush insert but I'm more of a practical kind of person and tried to compromise with the most contemporary looking stoves. Didn't work.
We settled on the Regency CI2600 early on in the researching phase by looks and specs through the manufacture. I quoted 3 places and was going to make a move before I found this forum! From reviews it didn't seem like a secure enough purchase. I then spent many many hours reading and learned more than just about stoves.
We ended up purchasing the FPX Large Flush Hybrid-Fyre with the rectangular door and the shadow box! Good looking insert, suppose to put out really nice heat, large fire box, big viewing area, clean exhaust and can always get the "Green Start". Though reviews are saying not getting long burn times as the manufacture says but the 6-8 hours isn't terrible and subjective to all the elements in the equation. It was a high price but bargained a little and for $3,800 out the door I also got the liner kit and it comes with a moisture meter.
I will be doing the install myself and have a couple questions. These questions I'm on the fence about and might have read to many posts. haha.
Exposed chimney, 20ft height, There is enough room, Thoughts on if I should insulate the liner for 300-400$?
I have gas running in the fireplace. Anything special I need to do other than remove it? Anything cool I can do with it?
Thoughts on insulating behind the insert?
As far as wood - I don't have enough and may need to purchase. May have some at my parents that I need to investigate. Will be picking up the insert in about a week when the shadow box arrives.
Any comments on the whole setup?
Will get more pics of the house. I found the hardest thing to compare is the floor plan and what stove will work.
Check out the pics and please comment
Thank you
Leikeze
After many hours of research on this site and manufacture sites I made a choice. I really appreciate all the people that participate in this forum. My need to research when first involved in something new is important to me.
I hope that this post helps others.
My wife and I bought our house in January 2014. Northern Ohio then had one of the coldest winters in 30 years, at least that is what they said. It was COLD. Negative in the double digits for 2 weeks straight with a low of -15. Electric and Gas was quite outrageous in price even with keeping it at 50deg.
Our thought during the winter was to get a wood stove to heat the house and to save money. But as well we both appreciate a fire and believe we will like the physical labor / chore that comes with it. I have chopped much wood in the past and her father use to heat the house with a Buck.
Our House: Built 1970's. 3 stories. Basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor.
The floor plan for the basement and the main floor is rectangular (see image below)
Walk out basement with 3 bedrooms, bathroom and large laundry area. Very typical layout.
1st floor has the fireplace at the end of the short side (Closer to the garage). Cathedral ceilings in the fire place room that also has a loft area above. Kitchen is open / connected to fireplace room and you can see the other end of the house from end to end. Problem is there are 4 Double sliding doors that are older and LEAKY! We will be sealing them for the winter as a quick fix until we have enough $$ to replace. I do not know how efficient the seal is but I hear it works well.
2nd floor is the loft that is open all sides and the master bedroom. One door leads to the master bedroom approx 40 ft away from the fireplace.
I attached the floor plan and some pictures.
Insert: First I knew nothing but that a Buck is a good stove. Found there were flush inserts by all manufactures. Realized flush inserts aren't quite as efficient and I like the thoughts about the "in case of a power outage" BUT the wife wants a contemporary look with a Flush insert. I like the flush insert but I'm more of a practical kind of person and tried to compromise with the most contemporary looking stoves. Didn't work.
We settled on the Regency CI2600 early on in the researching phase by looks and specs through the manufacture. I quoted 3 places and was going to make a move before I found this forum! From reviews it didn't seem like a secure enough purchase. I then spent many many hours reading and learned more than just about stoves.
We ended up purchasing the FPX Large Flush Hybrid-Fyre with the rectangular door and the shadow box! Good looking insert, suppose to put out really nice heat, large fire box, big viewing area, clean exhaust and can always get the "Green Start". Though reviews are saying not getting long burn times as the manufacture says but the 6-8 hours isn't terrible and subjective to all the elements in the equation. It was a high price but bargained a little and for $3,800 out the door I also got the liner kit and it comes with a moisture meter.
I will be doing the install myself and have a couple questions. These questions I'm on the fence about and might have read to many posts. haha.
Exposed chimney, 20ft height, There is enough room, Thoughts on if I should insulate the liner for 300-400$?
I have gas running in the fireplace. Anything special I need to do other than remove it? Anything cool I can do with it?
Thoughts on insulating behind the insert?
As far as wood - I don't have enough and may need to purchase. May have some at my parents that I need to investigate. Will be picking up the insert in about a week when the shadow box arrives.
Any comments on the whole setup?
Will get more pics of the house. I found the hardest thing to compare is the floor plan and what stove will work.
Check out the pics and please comment
Thank you
Leikeze
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