- Nov 11, 2012
- 45
Hi all, I just came across your forums a few days ago and have learned a lot about inserts in just these few days. I was hoping some of you can weigh in and help me make a decision on which insert I should choose. My goal is to use my insert to help reduce the costs of oil in my home, I'm not thinking it will eliminate the need for my boiler but at least offset it to warrant it's purchase.
Here's my setup, I live in CT in a raised ranch approx 2000 sq ft. The fireplace is in the downstairs family room (not underground), and directly faces the family room door. I'm hoping the heat will be able to travel through the doorway and down a short hallway (5 or 6 ft) and make it's way upstairs to heat up the rooms upstairs. I may want to put a few floor vents in if the heat doesn't get upstairs like I'm hoping but won't get into that until I've seen how it operates.
Seeing that I have a good amount of woods in my backyard I'm not interested in a gas or pellet insert. I've spoken with a dealer and the three options that will fit my fireplace that I'm looking at are the Osburn 2000, the Pacific Energy Super Insert and the Regency I2400.
So far here are some of the pros and cons of them I've read: the Regency is built very well and actually I haven't read too many negative besides a noisy fan maybe? The Pacific Energy I've heard has the cleanest glass but I've read about some having issues with cracks appearing in them (not sure if they were older models etc). The Osburn has the largest viewing area (the wife likes that) and heard a few on here like theirs but overall I haven't been able to find much about them online as far as reviews go. Otherwise they look pretty comparable as far as BTUs/performance goes. As far as price goes, the Regency and PE are being offered to me almost at the same cost but the Osburn is $500 less. Because times are tight we're leaning towards the Osburn but not sure if it's the best choice.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Here's my setup, I live in CT in a raised ranch approx 2000 sq ft. The fireplace is in the downstairs family room (not underground), and directly faces the family room door. I'm hoping the heat will be able to travel through the doorway and down a short hallway (5 or 6 ft) and make it's way upstairs to heat up the rooms upstairs. I may want to put a few floor vents in if the heat doesn't get upstairs like I'm hoping but won't get into that until I've seen how it operates.
Seeing that I have a good amount of woods in my backyard I'm not interested in a gas or pellet insert. I've spoken with a dealer and the three options that will fit my fireplace that I'm looking at are the Osburn 2000, the Pacific Energy Super Insert and the Regency I2400.
So far here are some of the pros and cons of them I've read: the Regency is built very well and actually I haven't read too many negative besides a noisy fan maybe? The Pacific Energy I've heard has the cleanest glass but I've read about some having issues with cracks appearing in them (not sure if they were older models etc). The Osburn has the largest viewing area (the wife likes that) and heard a few on here like theirs but overall I haven't been able to find much about them online as far as reviews go. Otherwise they look pretty comparable as far as BTUs/performance goes. As far as price goes, the Regency and PE are being offered to me almost at the same cost but the Osburn is $500 less. Because times are tight we're leaning towards the Osburn but not sure if it's the best choice.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.