Hi All:
Great forum. I have been lurking for a little while and finally got serious about trying to determine what I can do in terms of an insert, replacement fireplace, or hearth stove.
In a nutshell:
I have a 1993 Heatilator ZC prefab fireplace, model HD36B, GR4. I only have 19 1/8" of height for an insert, so I was checking into the smaller inserts and went to a local dealer today to discuss the Regency I1200.
My ZC fireplace has a panel saying that an insert cannot be used, but I was under the impression that in more recent times (since 1993), inserts that are OK to be installed in these ZC fireplaces had been developed...
To get to the point, this installer (they are pretty big in the area, I think - north of Boston) indicated that they do not install inserts into ZC units anymore that say it is not OK. They say they do not want to take chances and recently had an inspector in a local town reject the building permit to place an insert into a ZC fireplace.
After discussing for some time, I was left with the impression that replacing my cheap insert with a new efficient fireplace may be my best option (at about $5k for fireplace, liner and labor, with me doing the demo of the old brick surround.
I have a few starter questions:
1. What is the real deal with inserts in ZC fireplaces...does it really just come down to the AHJ?
2. Any danger of the insurance co. backing away after a fire, pointing to the plate on the ZC that indicated a panel should not be installed, even if the AHJ signs off? I am not going to take chances on this stuff and would rather spend more to be safe, although I want to keep as tight a budget as reasonable.
3. Can a new efficient fireplace heat well? They were recommending the Regency Z2510, or Regency R90 as options. They are rated at more BTUs than the very small inserts I could physically fit into the space.
I do not think I can go hearth stove for aesthetic reasons - the hearth would have to extend too far into the room to be practical.
Oh, yeah - this is a first floor install (living room) with open floor plan of 1,000 ft, another 1,000 ft upstairs, 300 feet downstairs in basement with radiant heat.
I will post some pics and detailed dimensions later.
Thanks,
Pete
Great forum. I have been lurking for a little while and finally got serious about trying to determine what I can do in terms of an insert, replacement fireplace, or hearth stove.
In a nutshell:
I have a 1993 Heatilator ZC prefab fireplace, model HD36B, GR4. I only have 19 1/8" of height for an insert, so I was checking into the smaller inserts and went to a local dealer today to discuss the Regency I1200.
My ZC fireplace has a panel saying that an insert cannot be used, but I was under the impression that in more recent times (since 1993), inserts that are OK to be installed in these ZC fireplaces had been developed...
To get to the point, this installer (they are pretty big in the area, I think - north of Boston) indicated that they do not install inserts into ZC units anymore that say it is not OK. They say they do not want to take chances and recently had an inspector in a local town reject the building permit to place an insert into a ZC fireplace.
After discussing for some time, I was left with the impression that replacing my cheap insert with a new efficient fireplace may be my best option (at about $5k for fireplace, liner and labor, with me doing the demo of the old brick surround.
I have a few starter questions:
1. What is the real deal with inserts in ZC fireplaces...does it really just come down to the AHJ?
2. Any danger of the insurance co. backing away after a fire, pointing to the plate on the ZC that indicated a panel should not be installed, even if the AHJ signs off? I am not going to take chances on this stuff and would rather spend more to be safe, although I want to keep as tight a budget as reasonable.
3. Can a new efficient fireplace heat well? They were recommending the Regency Z2510, or Regency R90 as options. They are rated at more BTUs than the very small inserts I could physically fit into the space.
I do not think I can go hearth stove for aesthetic reasons - the hearth would have to extend too far into the room to be practical.
Oh, yeah - this is a first floor install (living room) with open floor plan of 1,000 ft, another 1,000 ft upstairs, 300 feet downstairs in basement with radiant heat.
I will post some pics and detailed dimensions later.
Thanks,
Pete
