Help with choosing an insert to heat 3000 sqft with lofted ceiling

[forestfairy444]

We need a fireplace insert for approximately 3000sqft and plan for it to be the main heat source Nov-March with propane HVAC as back up. The fireplace is located in the living room of which has a lofted ceiling that flows up to a second floor bridge that has bedrooms on both sides which are technically lofted (see photos). We had a Regency Hi500 installed last year and for whatever reason that cannot be determined by us nor our installer is a total dud. We even replaced it with the same model and it is also not heating our home at all (will get up to 1200 degrees inside easy for 2+ hrs but does not put out enough heat to effect our thermostat more than 1 degree which is typically at 65 degrees on cold days and that's with propane running nonstop). Regency customer service was zero help. Needless to say, last winter was VERY cold despite our high hopes for the Regency. The kitchen does have a little insert we can use on very cold days to help out but it does not help the living room nor the bedrooms. We live in the forest of NW Missouri where hardwood trees are plentiful.

Our installer is willing to try other models to make this right but we are struggling to decide what to go with.... also struggling to decide if a cat stove is worth it or not given our needs. 6" flue needed as the installer already put in an insulated liner for the Regency. Considering Montlake 300, PE Summit LE, Osburn 3500, Blaze King Princess 29. We considered the Buckstove 91 but our installer informed us we would have to remove the insulated liner and do w/o since it requires an 8" flue.

Open to any other suggestions that we are missing! Really just looking for any support from people who actually have experiences with this type of need. Thank you in advance!!

 

[begreen]

3000 sq ft is a lot of area to heat, especially if the heat loss of the house is on the high side.

How tall is the 6" liner? If it is ≥ 25' there's a chance that the draft is too strong and a lot of the heat is going up the liner. Does the stainless liner look blued right above the insert? Did the tech put in the air restrictor in the intake of the HI500? Have they measured the draft strength?

For a replacement, I would consider the Osburn 3500, but it is an easy breather and will need draft restriction or the same issue along with overfiring may end up happening.