I have an older large farm house in Upstate NY that I have updated with 1" of spray foam and batt insulation where possible. I have a hydronic baseboard heat via a propane fired boiler as my primary heat source and a Lopi model LX insert (1980s version) installed in old stone fireplace as supplemental heat source. My goal is to increase the amount of heat from burning wood to decrease my use of propane. I really like the Lopi unit that I have, but I do not think it is near as efficient as it could be. Currently I have an 8" black pipe inside my 13" terracotta chimney with no insulation and only a rain cap on the terracotta and the pipe suspended in the middle. My plan was to make some basic improvements to the Lopi install but figured it might be better to just pull the trigger on a new insert if I was going to do it right.
I am currently trying to decide between the Osburn 2400, Breckwell SW740I or the Supreme Fusion 24 but am open to suggestion. My criteria for making the decision; EPA non-catalic unit that will put our high BTUs, use less wood, provide less smoke and ash and not break the bank. Right now I am leaning toward the Supreme unit mainly because my wife likes the looks of the flush unit (might be a gimick, but I like the grill that is included). Anyone out there have any thoughts or suggestions?
I am currently trying to decide between the Osburn 2400, Breckwell SW740I or the Supreme Fusion 24 but am open to suggestion. My criteria for making the decision; EPA non-catalic unit that will put our high BTUs, use less wood, provide less smoke and ash and not break the bank. Right now I am leaning toward the Supreme unit mainly because my wife likes the looks of the flush unit (might be a gimick, but I like the grill that is included). Anyone out there have any thoughts or suggestions?
