New to wood stoves and have leaned heavily on this site for research as a lurker. Appreciate the wealth of knowledge here. We're in a modest 100 yr old house and I'm looking to burn wood. The prior owners damaged the original fireplace (they knocked a hole through the back of it). I considered fixing it, and alternatives, and decided a hearth-mount wood stove in front of the fireplace would likely offer more heat and efficiency and possibly end up cheaper than repairing the original firebox. Planning to rear-vent into the original fireplace, and up a (new) flue liner.
The fireplace is pretty small (30"w x 29"h) and sits floor-level (not a raised hearth). The stove would sit in front of the fireplace so the stove itself doesn't need to fit within those dimensions, but it would need to vent into the fireplace. I've just about settled on the Hearthstone Manchester, but in confirming dimensions I realized a potential issue - Hearthstone lists a rear vent height of 25 7/8" (center point), so 28 7/8" (assuming 6" diameter vent pipe). Wood Heat in PA confirms the top of rear vent is 28 3/4". So in my install the vent would be right up against the fireplace lintel - assume 0 margin. I can't seem to find any similar cases, or relevant code or installation instructions. Would that be an issue, to have the rear vent pipe right up against (even touching) the top of the original firebox and lintel? If it's a problem, any recommended fixes or alternatives?
I've contacted a local pro to take a look but curious what you all think.
Of course the easiest approach is to forget the Manchester and go with a shorter stove - but I'd still have the question of "what is the minimum clearance from a rear vent pipe to the top of an existing fireplace?". For context my top options are: Hearthstone Manchester, Hearthstone Shelburne, Jotul F500 V3, MF Fire Nova 2, and Vermont Castings Encore. For reference, dimensions show the rear vents (top) height as follows: The Shelburne would be 28". The Jotul with short legs would be 26". Nova 2 would be 24.5". VC Encore would be 26 3/4".
I really like the idea of good heat all night long, which pushed Hearthstone to the top of my list. I've also seen quality issues/concerns in these forums with VC (would also appreciate inputs on whether those concerns are well-founded and I should avoid VC). I'd likely lean towards the Jotul if the Hearthstones don't fit and the VC quality is unreliable.
Appreciate any insights. Thanks.
The fireplace is pretty small (30"w x 29"h) and sits floor-level (not a raised hearth). The stove would sit in front of the fireplace so the stove itself doesn't need to fit within those dimensions, but it would need to vent into the fireplace. I've just about settled on the Hearthstone Manchester, but in confirming dimensions I realized a potential issue - Hearthstone lists a rear vent height of 25 7/8" (center point), so 28 7/8" (assuming 6" diameter vent pipe). Wood Heat in PA confirms the top of rear vent is 28 3/4". So in my install the vent would be right up against the fireplace lintel - assume 0 margin. I can't seem to find any similar cases, or relevant code or installation instructions. Would that be an issue, to have the rear vent pipe right up against (even touching) the top of the original firebox and lintel? If it's a problem, any recommended fixes or alternatives?
I've contacted a local pro to take a look but curious what you all think.
Of course the easiest approach is to forget the Manchester and go with a shorter stove - but I'd still have the question of "what is the minimum clearance from a rear vent pipe to the top of an existing fireplace?". For context my top options are: Hearthstone Manchester, Hearthstone Shelburne, Jotul F500 V3, MF Fire Nova 2, and Vermont Castings Encore. For reference, dimensions show the rear vents (top) height as follows: The Shelburne would be 28". The Jotul with short legs would be 26". Nova 2 would be 24.5". VC Encore would be 26 3/4".
I really like the idea of good heat all night long, which pushed Hearthstone to the top of my list. I've also seen quality issues/concerns in these forums with VC (would also appreciate inputs on whether those concerns are well-founded and I should avoid VC). I'd likely lean towards the Jotul if the Hearthstones don't fit and the VC quality is unreliable.
Appreciate any insights. Thanks.
