Adjustability of wood insert

[Shadow219]

My house is well insulated. I have a heat pump and it is very efficient. However, when the temp goes below 20 the furnace runs non-stop and below 10 the inside temp falls. I have a wood burning fireplace but I don't think it helps much, if at all.

I am researching wood burning inserts and I have much to learn. In reading I learned they all require a rather high temperature to run correctly. I would prefer a lower heat output so the furnace would still run part of the time. I have a basement that needs some heat; just for the pipes etc.

The room with the fireplace and thermostat is 600 sq ft. Will I be able to adjust the insert to just supplement the furnace? Or is it a matter of when it is fired up you get a lot of heat just deal with it. Will the built in fan help with controlling this?

Is a catalyst or non-catalyst more adjustable? Or are they the same?

Currently the LOPI Evergreen (Catalyst version) is what I have my eye on.

 

[MRD1985]

Are your goals whole house heating or room heating?

What’s the total sq footage of the home? Is it well insulated?

 

[begreen]

There is a range of options depending on the size and depth of the fireplace opening and how well the heat can convect to the rest of the house. The thermostat being in the fireplace room isn't a great combo. The room will be warm and the thermostat will not call for heat, regardless of the temp in other areas.
For a low and slow burning insert, look Blaze King cat stoves. Or as an alternative, just burn partial loads in a different design insert and reload every few hours.

 

[kborndale]

Are your goals whole house heating or room heating?

What’s the total sq footage of the home? Is it well insulated?

First sentence in the post is "My house is well insulated."

 

[Shadow219]

The goal is to supplement the furnace on cold nights and ambiance (wife, not me) on other nights. So I want the ability to burn low to medium depending on the outside temp. I don't want full house heating because I then would have to figure out something for the basement. I guess I could do that but trying this first. Nobody living in the basement so lower temps are fine.

Main floor is 1850 sq ft and basement is 1650. No second floor.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

How big is your fireplace? Dimensions and photos are best.

 

[Shadow219]

How big is your fireplace? Dimensions and photos are best.

34.5w x 30.5H x avg depth 27.5

 

[MRD1985]

First sentence in the post is "My house is well insulated."

Missed that somehow. Sorry…

 

[Nordicbynature]

34.5w x 30.5H x avg depth 27.5

Beautiful

 

[EatenByLimestone]

What is the width of the back?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

And is the fireplace on an inside or outside wall? Well insulated houses sometimes need makeup air.

 

[Shadow219]

And is the fireplace on an inside or outside wall? Well insulated houses sometimes need makeup air.

Outside wall, rear width is 21.25

 

[BKVP]

How tall is the current chimney?

BKVP

 

[Shadow219]

How tall is the current chimney?

BKVP

I'm guessing 16'. It seems 6' to the roof then another 10'. Do you agree?

 

[BKVP]

I'm guessing 16'. It seems 6' to the roof then another 10'. Do you agree?

If the stove in on the main floor with 8' ceiling and the same on the second, plus chimney outside I'd guess closer to 20'. If the stove would be on the second floor, more like 14'. You will find most wood stoves, due to increased efficiencies, need 15' or more, depending upon elevation.

BKVP

 

[Shadow219]

If the stove in on the main floor with 8' ceiling and the same on the second, plus chimney outside I'd guess closer to 20'. If the stove would be on the second floor, more like 14'. You will find most wood stoves, due to increased efficiencies, need 15' or more, depending upon elevation.

BKVP

This pic is deceptive. This is a walk out basement so the main floor is the upstairs one in the pic. 9' ceilings. So, you suggest I measure before buying anything then.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

You’ll want to match the insert with your decor, but the Pacific Energy T4 should fit there. The back is a bit narrow, but it sticks out of the fireplace some. Other similar sized inserts should fit too. ~1.6 cu ft firebox.

 

[begreen]

Agreed, it is not going to take a large insert to fulfill the requirements. A PE T4 or T5 will suffice. It looks like either may fit. A low and slow burner will not likely have much if any flame present so that may not please the wife. What is the width at the rear of the fireplace?

FYI, the clearance to the wood mantel needs to be within the insert's spec. This would be less of an issue with a flush insert, but flush inserts aren't the best for power outages if that is a concern. They need the blower running to convect heat out sufficiently. It looks like there is sufficient clearance for the T5 but always good to check.

 

[EbS-P]

You won’t be saving much money. You will be warmer when it’s cold. When it’s cold you will get 4-5 hours of heat out of a a 1.6 cu ft stove. It’s a load when you go to bed and relight in the morning.

I’m kicking my self for not getting a blaze king.

 

[Shadow219]

Agreed, it is not going to take a large insert to fulfill the requirements. A PE T4 or T5 will suffice. It looks like either may fit. A low and slow burner will not likely have much if any flame present so that may not please the wife. What is the width at the rear of the fireplace?

FYI, the clearance to the wood mantel needs to be within the insert's spec. This would be less of an issue with a flush insert, but flush inserts aren't the best for power outages if that is a concern. They need the blower running to convect heat out sufficiently. It looks like there is sufficient clearance for the T5 but always good to check.

I figured a small one would put out the heat I am looking for but, if I can fit a medium, I would be silly not to. Better to have options.

I have a whole house generator (interlock style) because I'm out in the country. Several times the power has gone out for 1 or 2 hours. That's not a lot unless it's really cold or really hot.

I will either raise the mantle or install a non-combustible one.

 

[Shadow219]

You won’t be saving much money. You will be warmer when it’s cold. When it’s cold you will get 4-5 hours of heat out of a a 1.6 cu ft stove. It’s a load when you go to bed and relight in the morning.

I’m kicking my self for not getting a blaze king.

Saving money isn't the main motivation. In the winter my neighbors (as in the local Facebook page) all complain of electric bills of 500,600 or more. But in my well insulated house with a heat pump I have never hit 300. It does however get down to 65,66 degrees because it can't create enough heat. I then use an electric heater to help and that is where the cost goes up.

 

[begreen]

Agreed, I'd go for a medium sized insert. The mantel may be ok. It's a possible clearance issue for some inserts, but not all. The Alderlea T5 only requires 12" clearance from the top of the insert. Looks like there is more than that here.



Is this an interior or exterior wall fireplace. The insert will benefit from a block-off plate in the damper area if it is exterior. It wouldn't hurt to put some kaowool or mineral wool insulation behind the insert in that case too.

 

[BKVP]

Check out MagraHearth mantels. Made is Wisconsin beyond real looking!

BKVP