Hello Hearth.com! Been reading a lot, but can't seem to find my situation. Had a house built 3 years ago... builder put a Craftsman 42L (think Heatilator) fireplace in. Chimney is a framed chase, with the 8" stainless pipe going up through. Wife has liked the "open" fireplace, but watching my money go up in smoke drives me nuts, so I've convinced her to install an insert.
What I've been told so far blows me away.... I had just envisioned having the entire heatilator ripped out, leaving plenty of room for them to install the insert of my choice, but have been told that I need to stick to the small inserts that actually still utilize the heatilator (they just remove the doors and screen, and slide it in. WHAT A WASTE!
I have a 2600 sq ft house...2 levels, open floor plan. I was locked in on the Regency I2400/I3100, or the Pacific Energy Summit. Naturally I'd love to be able to heat everything from the insert, but realize that likely won't happen as good as it sounds.
I guess I never read thoroughly enough, but that almost all inserts are made strictly for a masonry fireplace. (I thought the firebox on them would be no different then the firebox on the heatilator...rip one out, put one in, and redo the trim.
Anybody go through this / have suggestions? I HATE my heatilator, but don't want to put in the smallest of small inserts into it.
What I've been told so far blows me away.... I had just envisioned having the entire heatilator ripped out, leaving plenty of room for them to install the insert of my choice, but have been told that I need to stick to the small inserts that actually still utilize the heatilator (they just remove the doors and screen, and slide it in. WHAT A WASTE!
I have a 2600 sq ft house...2 levels, open floor plan. I was locked in on the Regency I2400/I3100, or the Pacific Energy Summit. Naturally I'd love to be able to heat everything from the insert, but realize that likely won't happen as good as it sounds.
I guess I never read thoroughly enough, but that almost all inserts are made strictly for a masonry fireplace. (I thought the firebox on them would be no different then the firebox on the heatilator...rip one out, put one in, and redo the trim.
Anybody go through this / have suggestions? I HATE my heatilator, but don't want to put in the smallest of small inserts into it.