Guidance Sought

[SoVa]

I've been doing hours and hours of reading and research. I'd say this forum is the only comprehensive source for good information.

My main goal is to be able to provide the majority of the heat for our house from wood and to also do so when the power goes out. This is a must and limits my choices to an insert that doesn't require a blower or a free standing stove. I'd prefer freestanding, but the logistics are difficult. We're located in South Central VA and have a woodlot for a fuel source. The house layout also isn't ideal. It's a tri-level house with the fireplace on the far end of the middle section. Each level is 700 square feet. The main and upper floors shouldn't be an issue and I'll use the heat pump fan or supplemental heat source for the basement. There's a small flue in the middle of the house to the basement I may use at some point in the future, but the layout doesn't work for it now with small kids. Below I've added as much information and pictures to help get good information back. I'm a pretty decent DIYer and plan to do as much as possible, but have a local place coming to take a look and provide some quotes later this week. The flue liner and the block off plate shouldn't be a big problem, but moving the stove and connecting it may be an issue. The connection is also where it really throws me off on if a certain stove will fit or not.

We have a 1969 heatilator fire place. Exterior wall chimney encased in block and brick. Approximately 14' flue with one slight offset and a 10" square terracotta flue liner, which has been inspected and is in good shape. The height of the fireplace is actually about 28" and not 27".

I've looked at the higer end Lopi, PE and Jotul but may have to wait until next year for those prices. Ideally I can accomplish our goals for a decent price ($2 - 3K total including liner). The local dealer sells Lopi and Jotul. The Lopi inserts would work without a blower.

Below are some of the stoves I've looked at or are currently being sold used online;

1. Used Jotul F3 at a great price nearby and I believe it'd fit, but would be too small!
2. Used Jotul F400 at an OK price, but don't think it'll fit!
3. Used Jotul Series 8 at an OK price and is sized right for the house, but don't think it'll fit!
4. Nice used Heathstone Phoenix online, but will it fit?! 27.5" high including flue collar in a 28" high opening.... The flue connection would be in the box with a clearance above, but I don't know. I'd love a nice freestanding soapstone!
5. Used 1998 Vermont Castings Encore - This may fit and may be the right size?!
6. Used Country Lennox stove insert - would fit a possibly works without the blower?
7. Used 1992 Buck stove insert - not sure on this one.

So any helpful information would be appreciated. I'm starting to get into the analysis paralysis stage with my research.

 

[EbS-P]

Here are my thoughts. I’ll speak to what I know. I installed an F400 last year. You can get a short leg kit that takes 2” off the height. It could fit height wise. I think it would sized about right For 1400 sq ft. The main floor will be plenty warm. It will stick out of the opening I’m guessing. That will necessitate fireproof floor protection. I like my F400 but ended up with it purely for athletics. I wanted a cast iron white stove and it was the only one I could find. I have to run a blower for it to really run more than half throttle. It was not the most efficient choice for wood heat. It sure looks nice blowers are or can be noisy so I get the not wanting want for that reason. For the emergency heat reason it seems like function choice that you Will live with ever day only to use infrequently. My plan would be for a small generator to power essentials, wood stove blower included. It is my understanding that almost every insert you can burn without a blower without damaging the unit it just might not throw as much heat in to the living space. If you cannot top vent the F400 I would choose a different option. The rear vent tents to spill smoke out on reloads.

you should plan on cutting the top of the metal fire box to get enough clearance to get the liner down. Where and how much might depend on the stove. My installer removed the entire cast iron damper assembly not just the damper


I am considering an insert for my second fireplace. It is a smaller opening and I The firebox isn’t as deep. I don’t want to have to have floor fire protection. Here it what I’m thinking about. (broken link removed)
isn’t not the prettiest but the price is super attractive. As a ballpark when I was pricing liners and connectors was about 1000$. which makes it pretty amazing that the whole thing from Costco is Only 1400$.

my take. An insert will fit the dimensions and give a cleaner look. I’d take that and a blower over trying to fit and add floor protection for a freestanding stove. Just my two cents. Thanks for the detailed measurements. Everyone should do that.

Evan.

 

[begreen]

It wouldn' surprise me if the cost of an insulated liner comes in at about $1500-2000 installed. If you are reasonably handy, detail-oriented and can follow directions, this could be done DIY for under $1000. That would free up funds for putting in a proper heater.

Some new inserts to consider that won't break the budget are:

Century CW-2900 i
Englander 13-NCi
True North TN20 insert (a PE stove with tube secondary)
Lopi Republic 1750 i

 

[SoVa]

So I had the only local wood stove dealer come out for a quote. Lopi 1750 insert for $2200, plus $300 install, plus $200 for his recommendation that we place a SS liner from the insert 5' up into the flue (even though it's 10" wide....). This was a little more than I wanted to spend now and wasn't happy with the liner recommendation. Thought about doing it myself. I then found a 9 year old Hearthstone Heritage 8570 on Craigslist for $1K. I'd looked at this stove many times loving the look and it being one of the few freestanding stoves that'd fit in our fireplace.

Long story short, between several emails of questions and inspection once they pulled the stove out (while I drove 2+ hours away), there was too much wrong with it for me to gamble. I didn't try to haggle, just said I was sorry I can't buy it. I can't get this done on a budget if I buy a good deal stove and can't fix it. He goes and talks to his wife and comes back and says "how about I help you load it and you drive away with it?" I was confused at first, but the couple graciously gave it to me for free! Apologized that I drove all that way. I was flabbergasted. Buying online has those risks so I was fine walking away, but I couldn't turn down that deal! They didn't seem to need the money, wanted it moved and are obviously very kind folks. I'm going to start a new thread on advice to fix this thing and I don't think it's really in that bad of shape! A great day indeed!

 

[begreen]

Looks pretty good on the outside. How does it look on the inside?

You'll want a full insulated 6" ss liner for the stove. If you DIY you should be able to to that for under $1K.