Heating options - Tri-level home. Inserts or pellet boiler?

[Alain S. Prevost]

Looking into options to heat a large tri-level home. I have experienced a Harman forced air furnace and would like to see what else is out there to heat another home we are looking at purchasing.
Tri-level home.
Main floor is kitchen, living room, bathroom, dining room, foyer.
Lower level is office, family room, laundry, bathroom
Upper level, 3 bedrooms, bathroom.
Basement, finished. Family room.

Main level has a wood burning fireplace and a wood burning fireplace on the lower level as well.

Home is heating by oil - baseboard, 3 zone.
I know you you guys would typically need a floor plan. But from the above, would an insert on the main or lower level be a better option to use less oil in the home and provide a main source of heat?

Direct venting a whole house boiler is an option as well. I think an insert on the lower level would be better because the heat will rise to the main and upper levels, but I want to limit the use of fans as well, hoping for good air circulation.

Let me know what inserts are available for a 3000sq ft home and what boilers are available for this size.
btu of current oil is 150k.

 

[krooser]

Generally speaking you put the stove where you want the heat... if you spend most of your time on the second level that's where you should put the stove. Many users do a basement install and move the heat upstairs with fans... if you don't want to do that put your stove where you spend the most time.

You may find that an insert will limit installing your stove in the best place. In that case consider a free standing unit. They are easier to do a deep cleaning on (which should be done after every ton of pellets)... a freestanding stove generally will also have a larger hopper and, perhaps, a larger ash pan, too.

 

[Cleetussnow]

2 inserts maybe? One small downstars and a bigger one on the main level?