looking for some advice

[JKeller]

Hello,

I just found this forum and have been spending some time trying to get educated. I thought I would post what I am looking for and maybe you folks could point me in a direction.

I am currently building a new home here in northern IL. We are planning a fireplace more for decorative purposes though I plan on using one that I can hook up to the return duct of the furnace to distribute the heat around the home when its being used.

I have been looking at the hearthroom or unity series from Accucraft. http://www.acucraft.com/ I cant seem to find a whole lot of info on them though they seem to be a quality piece.

Anyone have experience with them or have any other suggestions on who I should look at? Our main goal is a attractive unit of high quality that will last a long time. It won't be used daily but fairly often during the winter months and not as the main heat source.

Thanks,
Jim.

 

[brad wilton]

they seem to claim alot of heating surface for a fireplace.nice looking though make sure you get info on them before you buy. have you looked at the different inserts available some really nice ones that can heat really well

 

[DougA]

I plan on using one that I can hook up to the return duct of the furnace to distribute the heat around the home when its being used.

I think that is illegal if it is wood burning.

 

[begreen]

Looks like a fairly ordinary fireplace. If one goal is to get real heat out of this unit, have you looked at EPA fireplaces in comparison? They will burn cleaner and provide a lot more heat for the amount of fuel burned. That will save wood, but still provide a beautiful fire view. Take a look at the BIS Traditions, Kozy Z42 and Pacific Energy FP30 for comparison. These units are available with a blower system that can be ducted to distribute the heat.

 

[JKeller]

I will check into those. I really want to find something else for comparisons' sake. I will clarify saying heating is a fairly low priority mainly due to the fact it wont be used consistently. Its more the idea that if I'm gonna have a fire it may as well be helping instead of hurting.

One thing I really like about the Accucraft unity series is the clean look without any vents on the face. I have a PDF brochure with much more info on it than their website has but I have no idea how to post it. If weight is any indicator, the 44" model weighs 1,100 pounds!

The unit prices out a $3950, but all the venting/fire stop/cap/etc doubles that. Is that normal? They list 14" class A insulated flue in stainless steel. Its gotta go about 28'

Thanks for the input,
Jim

 

[jatoxico]

Old thread with good pics to give you some ideas. Good Luck!

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/building-the-hearth-for-my-napoleon-nz3000-what-a-quest.74273/

 

[begreen]

That's a fairly steep price for a non-EPA fireplace and the 14" chimney is going to be costly. By comparison, the EPA FP30 sells for about $3K and takes 6" class A chimney. A blower kit can be added for delivering heat to other parts of the house. Or you might like the RSF Opel3. Here are some links:

http://www.pacificenergy.net/products/wood/fireplaces/fp30/
(broken link removed to http://www.kozyheat.com/product/z42)
(broken link removed to http://www.icc-rsf.com/en/opel-3-fireplace)
(broken link removed to http://woodstoves.net/security/bistradition.htm)