Just installed! Napoleon EPI3C

[markgm]

I had been looking to install a wood insert for a few months and installed an EPI3C this morning. I have my first fire going in it and I am impressed with the heat this thing puts out. I can tell I'm going to have to order more wood! I was on the fence about what model to get, but in the end the size and shape of the firebox, glass size, and price led me to pick the EPI3C. The variable speed blower that automatically turns on and off is a nice touch.

In my quest to find something that wasn't completely hideous, I also considered the Regency CI1250, Fireplace Xtrordinair, and the Osburn Matrix.

 

[begreen]

Congratulations and welcome. That is a good looking insert. Thanks for posting. The firebrick looks unusual. Do they use vermiculite boards all around?

 

[markgm]

Thanks! It's only vermiculite at the top for the baffle (the part you can't see).

 

[Splittah]

Very nice . I like the the glass size. How many Btu's can it produce. I had a napoleon wood stove for 12 years.I think they are good burners.

 

[Nick Mystic]

It looks like you picked an insert that matches up quite nicely with the fireplace and mantel arrangement you had to work with. It looks quite elegant in that setting. I'll bet you will end up being very pleased with your choice.

 

[markgm]

Very nice . I like the the glass size. How many Btu's can it produce. I had a napoleon wood stove for 12 years.I think they are good burners.

Their website says 55k BTU, the EPA card included with it says 11.3 - 28.5K BTU.

 

[SuperGenius]

Great looking setup. Any more feedback on the performance of your EPI3C? That's my front runner after considering the same ones you mentioned, plus the Morso 5660 (based on WAF and clearances). Have you experimented with/without the blower to see what difference it makes?

Wolf says the efficiency is 63%, but I'm hoping they just say that because they haven't officially tested it, since 63% is the "default" EPA number for non-cats.

Thanks much.

 

[jaychino415]

Very nice. It looks great.

 

[Makers Mark]

Looks great. I really like the flush mount.

 

[Sons924]

Nice insert.

 

[SwordWord]

I'm also considering the EPI3C for my first insert, and am trying to work out combustible clearance issues.

Question: Did you calculate the top facing clearance minimum of 16" from the box itself (as shown in your fireplace before the surround was put on), or from the total size with the surround (as in your finished pcitures)? The EPI3 manual is confusing to me on that, since the diagram shows the measurement from the top of the surround to the facing (which would be about 46 inches total), but most other inserts measure it from the unit box itself. I've been thinking I need to take down my wood surround and re-do the mantel to fit the EPI3C, but your top facing seems a lot closer than 16" to the unit. Is that a wood surround, or non-combustible material?

And I love the tile work. Did you have all that done specifically to accomodate the EPI3C?

 

[Sons924]

How is the napolean doing with the Cold temps outside?

 

[markgm]

Great looking setup. Any more feedback on the performance of your EPI3C? That's my front runner after considering the same ones you mentioned, plus the Morso 5660 (based on WAF and clearances). Have you experimented with/without the blower to see what difference it makes?

Wolf says the efficiency is 63%, but I'm hoping they just say that because they haven't officially tested it, since 63% is the "default" EPA number for non-cats.

Thanks much.

It's been running well for me, I've put about half a cord of wood through it so far. The glass has been pretty black for awhile, but that may be because I've been burning large pieces (less work to split .) I have some small stuff on the way, and it does a decent job cleaning itself when burned hot with smaller diameter pieces. The blower is a little louder than I'd expect on high, but not loud enough that I've ever turned it down. I don't think it's any louder than anything else out there, at 6 feet away I'm measuring 55 dB. When the outside temperature is in the 40's it'll maintain the temp around 68 degrees inside (3700 sq. ft.). I have geothermal so I didn't really buy it for heat, but for more efficient ambiance (it's more expensive for me to heat with wood than geothermal unless I am gathering up wood from around the house). I've had a few times where I added wood at night and there were enough coals in it to start the fire the next evening (probably why I have blackened glass!) When I load it up at night (8-9 pm) the blower usually shuts off around 3am.

I hadn't seen the Morso before, I like the looks of it. I haven't used the insert yet without the blower on.

I'm also considering the EPI3C for my first insert, and am trying to work out combustible clearance issues.

Question: Did you calculate the top facing clearance minimum of 16" from the box itself (as shown in your fireplace before the surround was put on), or from the total size with the surround (as in your finished pcitures)? The EPI3 manual is confusing to me on that, since the diagram shows the measurement from the top of the surround to the facing (which would be about 46 inches total), but most other inserts measure it from the unit box itself. I've been thinking I need to take down my wood surround and re-do the mantel to fit the EPI3C, but your top facing seems a lot closer than 16" to the unit. Is that a wood surround, or non-combustible material?

And I love the tile work. Did you have all that done specifically to accomodate the EPI3C?

I measured from the actual box, there's only about 4-7 inches between the surround and the start of the wood above the tile. I started a fire about 3 hours ago, and using an IR thermometer on the tile above the unit reports temperatures 10 degrees higher than temperatures on the side. The wood measures the same temperature as ambient temps. The blower on high is putting out 137 degrees.

Thanks, I was a fan of the tile too, the previous owner put it in.

Edit: After loading it up with some smaller pieces the top of the surround is 160, the wood above it is 107, and the blower is well over 200 degrees.

 

[markgm]

How is the napolean doing with the Cold temps outside?

The heat still runs, but the room with it in is a few degrees warmer than the rest of the house. I haven't really loaded it up with wood though and gotten a roaring fire going, I can try that this evening (someone was kind enough to get me a cord of wood delivered for Christmas!)

 

[markgm]

After loading it up last night it managed to keep my house 62 (from 67) on the first floor (1600 sq. ft.) while it was 17 out (for comparison the geothermal ran around 4 hours to maintain 64 degrees (from 67) in 800 sq. ft. over the same time period in another section of the house). The blower was still running this morning. I added a few more pieces of wood and took some photos so you can see what the glass looks like. It started out yesterday completely black (there was an eye of sauron in the middle), and it pretty much cleaned itself off. I'm guessing the only reason mine was getting black was the large pieces of wood weren't burning hot enough.

 

[rwhite]

Great looking install! Practice, practice, practice. You'll get it burning clean no matter what size splits you use. Once you become familiar you'll learn what time to load it so you have it shut down to go to bed, how much to leave the air open based on type of wood and size. On larger splits or oak I usually close all the way then open it up about 1/4". No black glass and still have coals in the morning.

 

[SuperGenius]

I'm also considering the EPI3C for my first insert, and am trying to work out combustible clearance issues.

Question: Did you calculate the top facing clearance minimum of 16" from the box itself (as shown in your fireplace before the surround was put on), or from the total size with the surround (as in your finished pcitures)? The EPI3 manual is confusing to me on that, since the diagram shows the measurement from the top of the surround to the facing (which would be about 46 inches total), but most other inserts measure it from the unit box itself. I've been thinking I need to take down my wood surround and re-do the mantel to fit the EPI3C, but your top facing seems a lot closer than 16" to the unit. Is that a wood surround, or non-combustible material?

According to the manual, it's definitely 46" from the bottom of the insert to the mantel or any combustible face material (16" from the top of the insert's surround). Luckily, I have 1/2" to spare in that dimension, but I was more concerned about the hearth projection. In case you're interested, Napoleon confirmed it's 16" from the fireplace facing, not from the door of the insert. I have exactly 16" there (phew!). Of course, this only matters if your insurance company requires an inspection.

 

[Billy123]

Markgm,
What are your fireplace opening dimensions? The EP13 surround covers it beautifully. Did the surround size play as a factor in your choice.

 

[markgm]

I measured it, and it was just luck that it fit without needing any extensions. My opening is 37.5 W x 29.25 H.

 

[Oldman47]

I love the look of that insert. It sure is a clean look. Is that trim around the firebox standard or an option that you had to get? I also use a Waterfurnace but I like wood fires so much more.

 

[Billy123]

The EPI3C framed surround sits 29 1/2" high, inches taller that most others like it to give that custom look. Smart design IMHO.

 

[markgm]

The surround is standard, and as Billy123 stated, it was large enough by a quarter of an inch!