Help Buying a Pellet Insert - Advice please? ENV Empress vs Castile

[phil san]

Long, long time wood burner. Took out a wood stove in the main house section and inserted a Napolean propane fireplace insert.
Looks nice, works fine, heats lousy. Central heat is oil so of course at $5 + a gall I'm going back.
Have a VC free standing wood stove in my den and is fine!
So with all the research - pellets here I come. ( Of course the earliest date for delivery is now November 08._
Question - have app 700sq feet of space that open cathederal ceiling to upstairs. So I figure 1500 sq ft.

I want to use this as a primary heat source and rely on the oil burner for backup. House 30 yrs. well insulated, new windows, etc.
This should be very, very cost effective.

I like the Enviro Empress and or the Castile insert. 30,000btu
Looked at the Breckwells. - asthetically don't like but are available.

Advice
1. Large enough to heat a living room/kitchen area with catherderal ceiling?
2. Venting. Dealer states I don't need a second pipe for outside air intake like propane. Aren't I using warm room air up then?

thanks - have to buy in a few days becAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING MAD TO REPLACE OIL HEAT.!!
TNX

 

[lpgreg]

I can't speak on your 2 selections but I have a Whitfield Profile 30 that has worked real well for us last year. Check it out if its available. I think it would easily heat what you have described depending on the footage. We also have no fresh air intake and have no issues with that. Greg

 

[flueinc]

Go with the shop with the best service if you do not pick the castile.