Insert Insulation Plan

[dan7800]

I am working with an installer for my wood insert. I have an outside vent that is accessible through the cleanout (trap door in bottom center of firebox), but they mentioned that it wasn't possible to connect the outside air kit and hose to go underneath the insert. This makes sense to me. Their alternative is to seal the back of the stove with fire retardant foam board and spray foam. The board and sealing would occur just behind the faceplace. The assumption is that the air would be drawn up from the open cleanout, but wouldn't draft into the house and the air for the insert wouldn't be drawn from inside, but from the outside.

Is this the best course of action? Is it safe and would it have a significant impact on the heat output from the insert?

 

[begreen]

No, fire-retardant is not the same as non-combustible/fireproof. It should not be used. Kaowool (ceramic wool) or Roxul mineral fiberboard are safe to use.

Is there a damper area block-off plate in place? That will help keep the heat at the insert too.

 

[dan7800]

I’ll have to check to see what specific type of board was used. If it is the correct type of board, is that ok?

There is a damper plate.

 

[dan7800]

Should I:

A) Have the installer remove the board if it is merely retardant and install fireboard
B) Not utilize any board and just have the insert draw from inside of the home like a non outside intake vent would.
C) Something else

Thanks all
-Dan

 

[dan7800]

mineral fiberboard

Would one of these be good?

Owens Corning R13 Thermafiber Fire and Sound Guard Plus Mineral Wool Insulation Batt 15 in. x 47 in. 1196588 - The Home Depot

Give authentic fire protection to your home with the help of this excellent Owens Corning R Fire and Sound Guard Plus Mineral Wool Insulation Batt

www.homedepot.com

or this:

ROCKWOOL R-23 Comfortbatt 5-1/2 in. x 15 in. x 47 in. Fire Resistant Stone Wool Insulation Batt (39.8 sqft) RXCB551525 - The Home Depot

ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt is a semi-rigid stone wool thermal batt insulation for exterior wood and steel stud applications. It features a unique flexible edge that allows for easy installation and helps prevent

www.homedepot.com

or one of these?

1. https://www.amazon.com/Roxul-Rockboard-Mineral-Wool-Board/dp/B083B677N3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=243OKW4X0A9Q7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uxIvKsA7oIvAsSheXf2I79R38Xnhf7EdZzQTwWc9CLzGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.vGsDtAT4FN6mptZbmQjt3-rTCUDS1h7afRkStkKlwaE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Roxul+mineral+fiberboard&qid=1729019421&s=hi&sprefix=roxul+mineral+fiberboard,tools,72&sr=1-1
2. https://www.amazon.com/Rockwool-Mineral-Insulation-Temperature-Density/dp/B0933KS6XJ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=15GVGT62ATP2H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.45CD_N93NLJWwxrvSpAwPJYoMaxVi19o5aqgX6TMrFOQ0fqALxfWqX2PtroeJJ5lgMD5fytLoFTu7OGlBT-QytWTAui5AHeYQ0l9XumiPCHxi2RkPSWiU9WYCT8RqX2J.kJZDsK30r9lQBgVOJx1NLDbK7_azgZ4SVbf3VjUVQvs&dib_tag=se&keywords=fiberwool&qid=1729020287&s=hi&sprefix=fiberwool,tools,102&sr=1-4&th=1

 

[dan7800]

Also, on a side note I am not going to be using this insert 70-80% of the time. It is only for occasional use to heat the room when in use. Am I better off just sealing the intake itself and using air from inside the home when burning? I'm just wondering if it is splitting hairs over which option is better.

I liven upstate NY in a 1980, large home that is pretty well sealed.

 

[begreen]

It will work fine without insulation but adding some will improve heat output. It won't take that much. There's no need for a large quantity. Look at 1" ceramic fiber insulation on Amazon. Board material is easier to keep in place than blanket, but both will work.

 

[dan7800]

It will work fine without insulation but adding some will improve heat output. It won't take that much. There's no need for a large quantity. Look at 1" ceramic fiber insulation on Amazon. Board material is easier to keep in place than blanket, but both will work.

Is putting insulation that close to the front of the insert going to make me insulate out heat from the insert? Basically, I am wondering if I would be better off just sealing off the intake and using air from the home and if I am over thinking things.

Thank you very much as always.

 

[begreen]

No, it won't, but even a 3/4 wrap around the sides and back will improve things. Again, if the insert is just going to be used occasionally, and mostly for ambiance, then it is less important.

 

[dan7800]

No, it won't, but even a 3/4 wrap around the sides and back will improve things. Again, if the insert is just going to be used occasionally, and mostly for ambiance, then it is less important.

Just to clarify, I was thinking that I would just use the board just behind the faceplate of the insert. From what I can gather, this isn't the same as you were thinking?

 

[dan7800]

The situation is this:

In the middle of the firebox, there is the cleanout which also leads to an existing outside air vent. I am unable to run the 5" intake house that comes out of the side of the insert under the insert. I was thinking that I'd leave the cleanout door open and then "seal" just behind the faceplate. My thought process is that the insert would suck in air through the air outside that comes up through the cleanout.

 

[dan7800]

Ive been using my insert and I've been learning about proper usage. I don't have access to the flue, but I'd like to get an accurate temperature reading for proper usage. I've tried this magnetic gauge, but are there recommendations on its placement to give an accurate reading?

 

[dan7800]

Also, should I assume that this reading is accurate or that I should increase this amount because it is outside and is not getting the flue reading?

 

[GA Wood Burner]

Hi. I just happened to stumble across this thread and seeing as how insert insulation techniques is something I'm just starting to research I'm hoping someone can answer a question about insulating with ceramic insulation blankets.

I have a 6+ yr old Regency CI2600 that I think I'd like to try an retro insulate (I say retro because it ain't coming out). There is about a 3-4" gap on almost all sides between the metal insert surfaces and the walls of the brick firebox. Would it be ok to just lay some ceramic insulation blankets across the top of the insert and stuff the gaps with more ceramic insulation? Is it ok for the ceramic insulation to touch the metal insert surfaces? This stuff is suppose to with stand 2300 degrees and I can't imagine the insert surfaces ever getting that hot!

Any advice, or questions, would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[kborndale]

I would think that would just send more heat up the chimney if I am understanding you correctly.

 

[stoveliker]

Also, should I assume that this reading is accurate or that I should increase this amount because it is outside and is not getting the flue reading?

It won't relate much to the flue temp; it's far away and will lag far behind the actual flue temp.

 

[stoveliker]

Hi. I just happened to stumble across this thread and seeing as how insert insulation techniques is something I'm just starting to research I'm hoping someone can answer a question about insulating with ceramic insulation blankets.

I have a 6+ yr old Regency CI2600 that I think I'd like to try an retro insulate (I say retro because it ain't coming out). There is about a 3-4" gap on almost all sides between the metal insert surfaces and the walls of the brick firebox. Would it be ok to just lay some ceramic insulation blankets across the top of the insert and stuff the gaps with more ceramic insulation? Is it ok for the ceramic insulation to touch the metal insert surfaces? This stuff is suppose to with stand 2300 degrees and I can't imagine the insert surfaces ever getting that hot!

Any advice, or questions, would be appreciated. Thank you.

Yes it's fine to touch.
I would only insulate the wall to the outside of the home - if any. Nothing else.

 

[GA Wood Burner]

Yes it's fine to touch.
I would only insulate the wall to the outside of the home - if any. Nothing else.

Thank you for the response, but I'm not really sure what you mean by "only insulate the wall to the outside of the home". Are you saying that insulating around the insert will not help unless the brick fireplace/chimney is on an outside wall? For the record it's not, there is a sun room on the other side.

Am I miss understanding of how this all works? My understanding from all I've read on this subject is that insulating the area around the insert might make it a little more efficient, burn a little less wood or possibly produce more heat from the wood it does burn. I'm thinking of just insulating the open areas between the brick fire box and the insert sides, back & top. Possibly the attached photos would help.

I can do it for about $100, the question is would it actually be worth it?

Thanks again & have a good Thanksgiving.

 

[stoveliker]

I don't think it'll give any benefit if the insulation doesn't prevent heat from leaving the home.
The wall with the sunroom might be worth it, but the other walls not; any heat you prevent from going there is heat you prevent from entering your home.
The additional 0.1% efficiency you might get is not noticeable and not worth it.

You might even end up with more heat going up the flue because it's not shed into your home...