I could use some help... Thinking about a wood stove

[Jessica1459]

We bought our house less than a year ago. It is currently heated via oil. It is a 2000 sq.ft. colonial. The downstairs is fairly open. My husband and I are considering a wood stove. We have been pointed in the direction of a regency insert. We have a preexisting fireplace with an exterior chimney. I want whatever we get to be as efficient as possible and use as little oil as possible (preferably only for hot water). I personally like the freestanding stoves. We used to have a Quadrafire pellet stove in our old house and the fan was soooo loud. I also like the look of the freestanding as well. What are your thoughts? Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[jeff_t]

Welcome.

Do you know if the fireplace is a prefabricated unit, or masonry? Can you provide dimensions of the opening? For that kind of space, you would want a big insert.

Do you have a place you would want to install a freestanding stove and hearth, or were you thinking of using the fireplace?

Pictures always help, and a sketch of the house layout.

Budget?

Since you memtioned noise of the pellet stove, most inserts do require a blower to move heat out efficiently.

 

[Jessica1459]

Welcome.

Do you know if the fireplace is a prefabricated unit, or masonry? Can you provide dimensions of the opening? For that kind of space, you would want a big insert.

Do you have a place you would want to install a freestanding stove and hearth, or were you thinking of using the fireplace?

Pictures always help, and a sketch of the house layout.

Budget?

Since you memtioned noise of the pellet stove, most inserts do require a blower to move heat out efficiently.

The fireplace is masonry. That was the only picture I have of the fire place! Dont mind my kids!! I would like to spend 3000 (installed). That seems impossible around here. I have attached the only picture i have of our fire place. The plan was to use the fireplace to house the wood stove. We obviously would need to extend the hearth. The opening is 36 inch wide and height is 30 inches. I am looking for more pics of the house. will post soon. My husband just went to a dealer near here and was recommended the Harmon Oakwood. Would be 3800 installed.

 

[Jessica1459]

Depth is 22 inches

 

[Jessica1459]

Here are some other pictures of the downstairs to give you a better idea of the layout. The stairs to the second floor are on the side of the house behind the couch

 

[dmmoss51]

I think some of it is personal preferance as well as what is existing. Since you have the fireplace opening an insert is probably the right direction. Be aware that you need to line that chimney all the way to the top. Don't let them just put the pipe partway in there.

 

[jeff_t]

While Harman seems to have the most sucessful design, I would shy away from downdraft stoves for a first timer. Here's some reading
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/downdraft-stove-operation/?noRedirect=1

Does that price include an insulated liner?

A rear vent stove will allow you move the stove out farther into the room, depending on how far you want to extend the hearth.

Your wood mantel might be an issue.

 

[Slow1]

Hard to tell looking at it, but if you do a freestanding stove, once you extend hearth and side clearances it may take a rather large chunk of space in that room. I prefer freestanding myself but there are inserts that are pretty darn good out there.

You may want to do a mock-up with a box or two to set in the room with required clearances/hearth marked out on the floor (we used some large pieces of paper to mark ours out). This will help with your ability to visualize how much space it takes (i.e. you can't stick a dining room chair or couch inside the clearance zone...)

 

[Jessica1459]

While Harman seems to have the most sucessful design, I would shy away from downdraft stoves for a first timer. Here's some reading
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/downdraft-stove-operation/?noRedirect=1

Does that price include an insulated liner?

A rear vent stove will allow you move the stove out farther into the room, depending on how far you want to extend the hearth.

Your wood mantel might be an issue.

The mantle is being replaced. That price includes the liner I believe. We dont really want to exend the hearth too much farther. I believe my husband said that there needed to be a 19 inch clearance. What other rear venting stoves are there?

 

[Jessica1459]

Hard to tell looking at it, but if you do a freestanding stove, once you extend hearth and side clearances it may take a rather large chunk of space in that room. I prefer freestanding myself but there are inserts that are pretty darn good out there.

You may want to do a mock-up with a box or two to set in the room with required clearances/hearth marked out on the floor (we used some large pieces of paper to mark ours out). This will help with your ability to visualize how much space it takes (i.e. you can't stick a dining room chair or couch inside the clearance zone...)

Couldnt the stove be set into the fire place slightly?

 

[weatherguy]

If I was starting over today and with the choices on the market now I would be looking at a free stander, you're going to have to extend the hearth either way and line the chimney either way. You are somewhat limited to rear vent only free standers but I think you would get more heat.
If you're dead set on an insert I agree with the above post, might want to stay away from down draft stoves, how about a Pacific Energy Summit? I would be looking at something in the 3cf box range for stove size.

 

[Jessica1459]

While Harman seems to have the most sucessful design, I would shy away from downdraft stoves for a first timer. Here's some reading
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/downdraft-stove-operation/?noRedirect=1

Does that price include an insulated liner?

A rear vent stove will allow you move the stove out farther into the room, depending on how far you want to extend the hearth.

Your wood mantel might be an issue.

Are you saying to stay away from the downdraft due to the process involved? If so, Im not too worried about it.

 

[Jessica1459]

If I was starting over today and with the choices on the market now I would be looking at a free stander, you're going to have to extend the hearth either way and lin the chimney either way. You are somewhat limited to rear vent only free standers but I think you would get more heat.
If you're dead set on an insert I agree with the above post, might want to stay away from down draft stoves, how about a Pacific Energy Summit? I would be looking at something in the 3cf box range for stove size.

Oh I like the freestanding as well! I think that is what we are going to go with. The dealer that we are more in tune with using is (broken link removed) . You can see the brands that they stock. My husband said he seemed to be limited to a vermont castings and 2 Harmons (rear venting).

 

[weatherguy]

Are you saying to stay away from the downdraft due to the process involved? If so, Im not too worried about it.

They can be hard to operate and conditions have to be just so for them to run properly, could be a steeper learning curve. Its just that there are easier stoves to run on the market.
You could get a Progress Hybrid with a short leg kit and tuck it into the fireplace a bit so it doesn't take much floor space.

 

[jeff_t]

Are you saying to stay away from the downdraft due to the process involved? If so, Im not too worried about it.

Just saying that downdraft stoves tend to be pretty finicky. Harman seems to have the better design, where the VCs and Lopi/Avalon seem to have lots of problems. The are also some expensive, fragile refractory pieces in there.

 

[weatherguy]

Oh I like the freestanding as well! I think that is what we are going to go with. The dealer that we are more in tune with using is (broken link removed) . You can see the brands that they stock. My husband said he seemed to be limited to a vermont castings and 2 Harmons (rear venting).

I think you could do a Hearthstone too, not sure which models though, those are soap stone stoves.

 

[Jessica1459]

I think you could do a Hearthstone too, not sure which models though, those are soap stone stoves.

Are those good stoves? Do you think we could heat our home with it?
Arent those crazy expensive? I love the soapstone look.

 

[weatherguy]

Are those good stoves? Do you think we could heat our home with it?
Arent those crazy expensive? I love the soapstone look.

Depending on the size, I'm not sure if they have one big enough to heat your house with that kind of install, they are on sale.

(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-stoves/homestead-hearthmount)

This one can be rear vented and is affordable, excellent company and great stove.

http://www.woodstove.com/progress-hybrid?gclid=COX4zYP55LoCFY5AMgod0EsAQg

Just wanted to add one more thing since Dennis hasn't showed up yet, how's your wood supply, can you get seasoned wood? These new stoves need good seasoned wood to burn properly.

 

[Jessica1459]

Depending on the size, I'm not sure if they have one big enough to heat your house with that kind of install, they are on sale.

(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-stoves/homestead-hearthmount)

This one can be rear vented and is affordable, excellent company and great stove.

http://www.woodstove.com/progress-hybrid?gclid=COX4zYP55LoCFY5AMgod0EsAQg

Just wanted to add one more thing since Dennis hasn't showed up yet, how's your wood supply, can you get seasoned wood? These new stoves need good seasoned wood to burn properly.

I can get seasoned wood no problem.

 

[weatherguy]

I can get seasoned wood no problem.

Great, so now it just comes down to what you want to install, let us know what you decide. I assume you make the last call, at least that's how it works in my house

 

[Jessica1459]

Great, so now it just comes down to what you want to install, let us know what you decide. I assume you make the last call, at least that's how it works in my house

One last question. Am I very limited with rear venting stoves? That Progress Hybrid, that one is good?

 

[jeff_t]

Hearthstone also has the cast iron Manchester that can be rear vented. Also check out the Jotul F500 and F 600.

 

[Jessica1459]

Hearthstone also has the cast iron Manchester that can be rear vented. Also check out the Jotul F500 and F 600.

Thanks! I just want a good dependable stove without breaking the bank!

 

[jeff_t]

That Progress Hybrid, that one is good?

Type 'Progress Hybrid' in the search box in the upper right corner

Kinda spendy, but you won't find a better stove or manufacturer.

 

[USMC80]

I can get seasoned wood no problem.

Be sure to read through the forum and see what is considered "seasoned wood", especially with a new EPA stove or insert. They can be very hard to run properly without it.

Majority of hardwoods need to be split and stacked in sun/wind for two years to reach proper moisture content. Most ads you see for "seasoned wood" are misleading