Hi all,
Newbie here. Bought a 1600 ft2 retirement home recently with a builder's grade Desa model B36L firebox/place with 4" outside combustion air ducted into the side of the unit that is about 10 years old with a 15'- 8" double wall flue in chase. I'm looking at removing this existing firebox and installing a new fireplace or insert. The ones I've looked at heat appr. 1800 ft2 and appear to be pretty cheap with quite a small area for a fire. Buck for instance takes an 11" log for their 21 model. The Last wood stove I had for years took a 30" and this fireplace unit takes a 24" log. Any suggestions on the appropriate size and efficiency of models you know would be appreciated. Most say up to 70% without catalytic.
Most of the inserts or fireplaces I've looked at have 6" draw. I have an 8" stainless steel rigid double wall that is in very good shape. Cleaned it this year and was pleasantly surprised with its condition, hardly used. Would I be able to install an appropriate model fireplace insert using the existing flue without a 6" flue kit or do they make a model with an 8" draw?
Hope all have a good new year....LT
	
		
			
		
		
	
				
			Newbie here. Bought a 1600 ft2 retirement home recently with a builder's grade Desa model B36L firebox/place with 4" outside combustion air ducted into the side of the unit that is about 10 years old with a 15'- 8" double wall flue in chase. I'm looking at removing this existing firebox and installing a new fireplace or insert. The ones I've looked at heat appr. 1800 ft2 and appear to be pretty cheap with quite a small area for a fire. Buck for instance takes an 11" log for their 21 model. The Last wood stove I had for years took a 30" and this fireplace unit takes a 24" log. Any suggestions on the appropriate size and efficiency of models you know would be appreciated. Most say up to 70% without catalytic.
Most of the inserts or fireplaces I've looked at have 6" draw. I have an 8" stainless steel rigid double wall that is in very good shape. Cleaned it this year and was pleasantly surprised with its condition, hardly used. Would I be able to install an appropriate model fireplace insert using the existing flue without a 6" flue kit or do they make a model with an 8" draw?
Hope all have a good new year....LT
 
	 
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			![[Hearth.com] DESA Unvented (vent free) universal firebox](/talk/data/attachments/335/335034-ecc68270eca8c6c02cb4c168b069083b.jpg?hash=c_EwnAZLjZ) 
			 
 
		 
 
		 
 
		