Changing old BIS insert

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Reppinger

Member
Feb 19, 2013
50
Langhorne, Pa
Hello all,

I am going to be removing an old BIS corner fireplace and switching to a free standing stove. Do you have any suggestions?

My house is a split level home that is about 2100sqf. The stove will be on the main floor in the same corner as the BIS. I live right outside Philly.

I was looking at the regency 3100, lopi cape cod and the endevor.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks
 
How old is the BIS? Those are pretty solid hearty units
It is an original, at least 20years old. It keeps the house at about 70 on cooler nights but really burns through a ton of hard wood. Burn time might only be 4 hours.
 
Let's start with some pictures of the current setup. I'm not familiar with the older BIS systems. Is there an air-cooled or class A chimney on the fireplace? Do you have a model number?
 
Photos of the existing installation would be invaluable...as would be info about the existing flue (chimney), and some idea of the fuel available to you. Welcome to the forums! Rick
 
Photos of the existing installation would be invaluable...as would be info about the existing flue (chimney), and some idea of the fuel available to you. Welcome to the forums! Rick
Here are a couple pics, I will take more in the morn of the flu. I am burning ash, oak, cherry, and some maple. It looks to be a class A chimney.

Thanks for the welcome.
 

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That second picture really tripped me out until I saw it is upside down...

Which is most important to you from the insert? Emergency heat in a power outage, view of the fire, how much time you must tend to the fire (reload, adjustments, etc), cost? You've got some good stoves in the list, but it helps to have the main features in order of importance. Narrows down the field of options pretty quickly depending on what's most important to you.
 
I use it to heat my house all winter long. I have a heat pump with electric backup so my electric bill more then tripples during the winter months if I do not use the insert. I want it all, I want to see the fire, I dont want to reload it that often so long burn times is a need. I want to buy something that will do the job and last so I am willing to spend if need be.
 
Old thread, I know. I'm wondering how the BIS replacement project went? I know a new ZC stove went in, but I'm wondering about the 7" flue, and any surprises found when tearing out the BIS. I plan to do that to my BIS next spring/summer. I'm hoping Reppinger gets a notification about this thread and can provide an update.
 
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