Help. Travis Industries large flush insert does not radiate heat.

[Fire Insert2]

I'm new to the forum. I have explored this site for some time and can't believe the wealth of information you have provided. But, I'm super-stumped, hence the registration and signing up to post inquires. Background: I love to burn. Cool to cold nights, with a beer and babe, watching Nature's television, Northern Virginia area. In December 2025, I purchased the Travis Industries Fireplace X Large flush insert Nexgen Hybrid, as my traditional open brick would accept the size, plus I wanted the visual. AND, I wanted to heat my home with it. I did as recommended, had it professionally installed, and the electrical wired. I waited a day for all the cement glue to dry around the screws, and double liner connected to the firebox. Next day, I lit a fire pretty hot fire to burn off the paint fumes for about fours with the windows open. I started burning seasoned split wood, probably three to four years old, but still at 20% moisture. I got some heat, and a beautiful second burn, but it's not what the community is saying I should get with type of insert. With others' suggestion, I switched completely to kilned-dried wood, mixed hickory, ash, and other hard wood, no pine. I started the fire normally, and within a matter of five minutes or so, it was truly running away. The temperature went from 150 simple kindle to well over 900 in about 6 minutes, I had the door closed the bottom lever pulled out with oxygen shut-off and the flu closed at first. It was truly raging (forge style), and I had the fire extinguisher in my hand. It climbed to about 1100 degrees, and I closed the flue off sending it completely in secondary burn, but temp still rising. I finally had enough nerve to open the flue back up, push the air flow in and open the door to get release the heat. I let it die down before closing the door. Nice heat heat while the door was open, but defeats the purpose of the insert. It was a crazy event, I digress. Since then, I have not thrown more than two good size pieces of Kiln-dried wood in at a time, as I'm afraid of over-driving the insert and damaging it.
My concern and inquiry: No matter how high I get the temp, which is normally around 850-900 ( temp gauge connected to catalytic converter), I can't seem to get the heat into the living room or radiate beyond a couple of inches. The blower is always set at medium and the little heat that comes out rises upward about 3-4 inches just above the insert. I can sit on the hearth comfortably with out burning or think about getting burnt. The only hot thing is the flue/ damper handle when I reload. I had the installers come back out and stuff the crap out of it with insulation hoping to push the heat outward, but my room temp has never been above 75 (74.8 to be exact). My living room isn't more than 12 x 22. I have a 2200 square foot home, 3 levels, with fireplace on the middle level, 9 foot ceilings, and thermostat in the main dining room on the other side of the house. I bought this thing and the amount of wood to effectively shut off my heat pump, as the electric bill is through the roof this season. But, it's very frustrating to see and feel the heat pump running while I watch the burning wood in the insert and it stating 880 degrees. I want this thing to heat my home, not be a chiminara. LoL. Can you assist? Thanks.

 

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The catalyst will normally be in the 1000-1200º range. That is normal operating temperature. As long as the stove body stays below about 750º it's ok.
Flush inserts don't radiate heat strongly. They rely on the blower to convect the heat from the insert.

Note that it's not recommended putting insulation on top of the insert. That has the potential to overheat the insert cabinet. It's ok to insulate the sides and back.