Floridian looking for insert guidance.....

[xjfan]

Hello everyone,

First post, looking for some guidance. We move to north Florida from Miami several years ago. The home has a wood burning fireplace, our first.

We had it inspected a while back by a popular local company. They found, the metal box was rusted due to failed concrete cap and recommended an insert - Regency i2400. Home has 1800sqft.

The fireplace mainly be used for night below 30's, secondly ambiance. I'm looking for recommendations on other makes and models.

Thanks in advance.

Added some photos of our diy cap build...

Joe


Before:



After:

 

[EbS-P]

Couple thoughts. Regency has good products. New EPA stoves/inserts need really dry wood. Here I. Southern NC I must keep my stacks covered all year and sides too if it’s pine. Wood is messy. No greater than your heating needs are there are probably more economical heating choices. I doubt I will ever see my wood stove pay off even with free wood. In fact if I heat 90% with free wood and pay to have my chimney swept once a year. I don’t think I ever would save money.

If I had gas or propane I would consider a hearth mounted gas stove, but with gas prices where they are now I would not want to use it all that much.

Insist on an insulated liner and a block off plate. Supply is tight order ASAP if you can. If you don’t have really dry wood consuls pallet of sawdust bricks as part of the install cost. I like my stoves and enjoy splitting firewood.

Evan

 

[xjfan]

@EbS-P Thanks for the feedback

Thought I'd share recent finding.

I was cleaning the firebox to get measurements and clean it up a bit. There's rust holes a couple of corners.

Hit up youtube, searching for info on the metal box. Found a video "Heatilator Firebox remove and replace". As I was watching, I thought, we have paperwork, somewhere in the house on this.

Moments later, I found a small envelope - Heatilator Mark C, Catalog# 42.

Started thinking about cutting it out but it seems earier to install an insert.

Anyone ever remove one of these?
Then rebuild with 2" thick fire brick?

Thanks.

 

[EbS-P]

seems earier to install an insert

Easier, better heating less smoke spillage. more expensive if it’s a diy project but I won’t ever go back to a fireplace after running my stove and insert. If I ever move the stove is moving with me.

 

[xjfan]

I've been reading lots of posts. Seems, insert is the way to go. Looks like I'll have to cut the top part of the box to make space for the liner.

Since it'll get limited use throught the winter, I'm trying to find one in the $1800 range. Then, get the correct liner that matches the insert.

Could you guys recommend an insert in that range?

Our setup:

 

[begreen]

Yes, that's a heatform-style fireplace and the dealer sounds like they are providing good advice. However, the Regency 2400 is discontinued and has been replaced with the 2450. Is the dealer selling you a used insert?
The Drolet Escape 1800 or Century CW2900 are in the under $1800 range, at least for the moment.

 

[xjfan]

Thanks for the suggestions. Been finding Drolet Escape 1800 and Century CW2900 in trio option with free shipping. Liners don't seem to be insulated. I'll keep searching.

The Regency i2400 was recommended a few years ago. Home needed repairs and upgrades finally made it to this stage.

At the beginning of the year we had roof and crown replacement. No more leaks finally.

Thanks again...


Heatilator has some rust holes.

 

[begreen]

Yes, it's hard to beat the Trio deals if they match your installation needs. Make sure that the insert will fit and the liner is tall enough. You can buy liner insulation independently. Measure the ID of the chimney to ensure fit.

 

[xjfan]

I'll double check chimney. Pretty sure it's 13x13.

 

[begreen]

I'll double check chimney. Pretty sure it's 13x13.

If so, lots of wiggle room for a 6" liner with insulation.

 

[EbS-P]

The Drolet Escape 1800

I just installed this two weeks ago. Ordered insulation kit from Amazon sold by Rockford. All in with tax I spent right at $2000. Haven’t burned it yet but it was straight forward install and the trio kit was the cheapest deal I could find. I think mantle clearance is like 27”.

 

[xjfan]

Thanks to this forum and everyone who provided feedback.

After gathered info from this thread, I spent some time searching for online vendor with lowest price. Free shipping, no tax. Placed an order on a Century CW2900 trio. Also Rockford blanket kit from Amazon. (Thanks EbS-P)

Recieved track details from vendor with attached document from MFP. It arrived yesterday 10/20 via Yellow Roadway. Talk about heaa-vy... Came on a pallet, well packaged. Wood structure surrounding the insert, liner on top.

• Moving into home....
Not sure, how the heck I'm going to set it up 4 step from the garage into the house. Once inside the home, planning to use moving blankets, place plywood on top. Roll it to final location.

Should be fun....

As for install, not sure if I should continue to post on this thread or create a new one. Just want to install process. Cutting part of the firebox should be fun. Going to gather grinding disks for both 4" and 6" grinders, along with metal reciprocating saw blades.

Cheers