Isn't getting enough heat out of Regency CI1200

[aggie8]

I just bought a regency ci1200 with a hope of being able to warm up my 800 soft basement but I hardly get it heat even 20 sqft. I had it professionally installed and my wood is pre dry. I get the stove burn really well with roaring fire and the set it at half open per user manual. If I sit in front of it it's warm but a little further way cold, even in these spring nights that are warmer. I expected a lot better than this. Before I buy this I was leaning toward the cheaper unit sold by ACE for 900$ which had slots of good reviews but decided to spend about 1k more so it looks more contemporary. Any suggestions appreciated. Can I return it? Any with similar experience?

 

[USMC80]

That's a flush unit correct? Did you get the blower with it?

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

You would think this would do the job that you are looking for. But unfortunately these small inserts just don't produce the heat that we are looking for 20-30 ft away from insert. I think it is undersized for what you want to do. My medium insert can warm 550sqft. So for 800, I feel as though you need a large insert. Inserts give off heat, are way more efficient than fireplaces, they are just not house heaters. You either have to keep trying, maybe with some tricks you can learn from people here on the forum, or try to go bigger. That's my opinion good luck. I see you don't even have a fan, that's another issue that you will have trying to heat 800sqft. I don't think it can be done with that insert. The people that regulate insert sq ft heating ability on all insert specs suck.
IMHO. Good luck

 

[Jags]

Basement insulated or not? Uninsulated basement walls are difficult to overcome. Mix that with a small insert and you are up for a fight.

 

[aggie8]

My basement is finished with insulation, but its a 30 years home so its probably not insulated too tight. The stove is flush with no fan. Is there any suggestion as to best position for draft handle to provide maximum heat. Should I keep it open all the way for maximum fire or set it at medium? also should I keep the fire well going all the time or a red radiation works too?

When I bought the stove the specs said it would heat up to 1000 sqft. I think it should have said 100 sqft.

 

[USMC80]

IMO a blower is a must on a flush insert

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

My basement is finished with insulation, but its a 30 years home so its probably not insulated too tight. The stove is flush with no fan. Is there any suggestion as to best position for draft handle to provide maximum heat. Should I keep it open all the way for maximum fire or set it at medium? also should I keep the fire well going all the time or a red radiation works too?

When I bought the stove the specs said it would heat up to 1000 sqft. I think it should have said 100 sqft.

All the way to the left on mine is open and gives off the most heat, I think you need to to keep that fire going all the time to get any type of higher temp in the 800 sq ft room. If this is brand new, I would check into bringing it back, I'm sorry to say, I think you need a bigger insert to get the results you are looking for. If you only want fire view and some warmth, your ok....
I'm just saying... Like I said, I have a medium insert, they can only do so much.... One lopi dealer talked me out of a big one, he was like "this will be overkill" but in hindsight, it wasn't true" maybe in April and may and September,
Anyways, with no fan, I think you have a problem....... You may need to have that stove running 3 days straight t get the temp that you want, and when it gets really cold in the winter, it may be 24/7... These are only thoughts, but I'm getting experienced with insert burning in an old house that was built in 1943. If the stove is brand new, try to return and get bigger if not, keep experimenting and good luck, you could always use electric space heaters to help out your situation...........

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Also left, right, middle has no bearing on heating a room of the size of 800 sq ft, it only controls how or what you want the fire to do at that time.

 

[Jags]

I am gonna second the need for a fan on that insert. Without it, you don't stand a chance of getting the heat into the room.

 

[northwinds]

A fan will make a big difference.

 

[dafattkidd]

Good move getting an insert to heat that space. It is a huge improvement over an open fireplace. I have a large insert and used to have a smaller 1.7 cf insert. Inserts are great heaters. My large insert heats my whole drafty 1700 sf house, and the small insert probably heated 80% of that on cold days and 100% of the space on days above 40*. So your insert should be able to heat that space to some degree. You need the fan to push the heat from around the unit into the room. I can't imagine how they sold you that unit without the blower if they knew your intended use.

You will be very happy with the fan if you can fit it. The improvement will be significant. Good luck.

 

[coldkiwi]

I am going with the fan also, you really do need one to extract the heat from an insert.

 

[STOVEGUY11]

The Regency c1200 is the Alterra insert without the blower. The c1250 is the alterra insert with the blower. The 1200 is more for looks not having a blower.

 

[dafattkidd]

Does this mean he cannot put a fan on this insert?

 

[STOVEGUY11]

Does this mean he cannot put a fan on this insert?

As far as I know. No. The 1250 which comes with the blower sits up higher because the blower is underneath in a compartment. The 1200 is sleek, low to the ground, and has no such compartment. Also, there is not a blower listed in the price book for a blower option

 

[dafattkidd]

As far as I know. No. The 1250 which comes with the blower sits up higher because the blower is underneath in a compartment. The 1200 is sleek, low to the ground, and has no such compartment. Also, there is not a blower listed in the price book for a blower option

I was affraid of that. That was why I added "if you can fit it" to my recommendation for a fan.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

What's the return policy?

 

[STOVEGUY11]

What's the return policy?

Well, it is being purchased from a dealer not Regency direct. I suppose it would be up to the dealer it was purchased from to return it or not.