Lopi vs PE neo 2.5

[Kyle1227]

Hi all I have a 70’s ranch about 3k sq feet with 17 ft cathedral ceilings with 1-2 inches of foam on roof for insulation. I have a stone chimney approx 20ft in center of the house with arched opening for firebox and am looking to put in an insert for supplemental heat. I have 2 quotes one with solid flue liner that is a PE neo 2.5the second is a lopi large insert but they use a flexible flue liner. Cost is about the same after install, but as I understand it the lopi qualifies for tax credit and the PE will not. I prefer the contractor that does PE as I have worked with them in the past and are very fast to deal with any issues/service needed. My big question is whether the liner is a big deal, clearly solid is more expensive and likely better quality but should that be a deal breaker? Second are both these units good for my purposes? Third I asked the PE contractor who I prefer to install lopi for me so I could get the rebate and he said he can’t because he’s not a dealer for the product, is that a thing? Or he just doesn’t want to. I truly prefer the lopi product especially with cost savings and my wife would use it more because of green start option. TIA

 

[begreen]

The Lopi large hybrid is a good heater but it is flush and primarily an E/W loader. Will the Summit insert fit?

 

[Kyle1227]

Yes it would. It doesn’t quite meet the 75 hhv that I would prefer either though

 

[begreen]

Check out the Osburn 3500i insert for fit. It's got a big deep belly and they say it qualifies for the credit.

 

[Kyle1227]

Ok I will, any info on flue liner?

 

[begreen]

Put in the best liner that you can afford. I like rigid, as long as it's properly installed. In flex, there is a big difference in wall thicknesses that equate to lifespan of the liner. Lightweight liners are only .005 or .006" thick. A better medium-weight liner will have .010" thick walls. Heavyweight liners are .015" walled. In flex, go for a medium or heavyweight liner. For comparison, rigid liner is typically .024 thick or .029".

 

[Kyle1227]

Any thoughts on pe neo? I really prefer the dealer/ installer of that insert

 

[Midalake]

Put in the best liner that you can afford. I like rigid, as long as it's properly installed. In flex, there is a big difference in wall thicknesses that equate to lifespan of the liner. Lightweight liners are only .005 or .006" thick. A better medium-weight liner will have .010" thick walls. Heavyweight liners are .015" walled. In flex, go for a medium or heavyweight liner. For comparison, rigid liner is typically .024 thick or .029".

I do not mean to hijack the thread. But can you name names on who make quality liners, also the cost range from flexible to fixed? Just so I can keep a dealer quote honest. Thanks If you want to spin this off to a new thread, ok too.

 

[Kyle1227]

I’m interested in this as well, I have one bid at 3500 for stainless insulated. Second is 1250 but does not list type etc just says flex liner

 

[begreen]

Any thoughts on pe neo? I really prefer the dealer/ installer of that insert

It's a good reliable stove. Easy to use and an easy breather.

 

[Kyle1227]

Just got another bid on regency ci 2700 and the Osburn 3500. Dealer suggested regency for us since larger glass and better burn time as cat unit. Any thoughts on regency product. Seems most folks like it on hearth other than some that struggle with install issues

 

[begreen]

The Regency is a good insert if one wants a flush unit. The burn time claim is debatable and somewhat dubious. It's an E/W loader. The Osburn has 25% larger capacity and can be loaded N/S for fuller loads. In actual practice of usable capacity that percentage is even larger.

There is a Regency i2600/i2700 thread that should have some info on typical loading and burn times.

H

Thread 'The Regency CI2600 & CI2700 operation thread'

Nov 20, 2016

After reading through all the blogs I decide to buy the CI2600 in October. Since then I have had several fires and am pretty happy with the burn time and heat output. I am wondering about the effectiveness of the air wash as my glass gets regularly quickly dirty with buildup once I close the damper. Even if I leave the air intake at full open. Does anyone have a similar problem or a suggestion?

• Heizer
• Replies: 673
• Forum: Regency

 

[Kyle1227]

Thanks I went with Osburn. I think no catalyst for a first timer and larger box will make life easier. I will be using stainless insulated liner and dealer will replace fan with variable speed version for us. Appreciate all the good info

 

[begreen]

Good choice, it's a big and serious heater.

 

[Kyle1227]

So I got my osburn installed. Started to get the unit ready with small burns. I have a lot of smoke smell in the basement and throughout the house when I have used it. The installer said it’s likely that the other flu that runs into the basement is sucking in the smoke and wants to put a spring loaded cap on that flue. I have 3 flues on the chimney and unit is in the middle one. Is this common? Could it just be the small fires not drawing well enough? I’ve had 3 small breakin fires should I just let it rip and see how it goes? Front plate coming next week to complete install. Great looking insert. Seems to draw well and burns great other than the smoke issue

 

[begreen]

It sounds like the insert's flue is back siphoning into the basement flue. This is fairly common. To solve the problem, the insert's liner needs to terminate about 12-18" higher than the adjacent flues. What does the chimney top look like?

 

[Kyle1227]

This is an older picture as it’s dark out now

 

[Kyle1227]

He suggested this cap

 

[begreen]

That's good. Your choice. Rockford sells liner extensions in simple or fancier form.

Chimney Flue Extender for Flexible Chimney Liner Kits - Rockford Chimney

Use the chimney flue extender to offset two chimney liner caps or extend your flue. Made in the USA with quick connect clamp system for easy install.

www.rockfordchimneysupply.com

Chimney Flue Extension | Chimney Extension Kit - Rockford Chimney

The Specialty Flue Extension will increase height and draft of your chimney and features an attached chimney cap. Easy to install and ships free.

www.rockfordchimneysupply.com

 

[Kyle1227]

Ok I’ll get it done and hopefully it does the trick