Making a decision between fireplace & wood insert

[Paperchief]

So, I’ve got a fireplace that needs some work. They told me about $4,750 to repair it to burn wood inside of it.

they also said “well why don’t you just throw a wood insert in there” and said he could save me money and install it for $1,000 + the cost of insert /whatever else is needed.
Now to my questions... it seems like many of you guys are very knowledgeable on wood stoves and inserts. I’ve actually never had a wood stove or a chimney. This is my first home.

theres a hookup in the basement to heat the house if I decided to heat with wood but that is not my goal here. Though it is a plus to save cost on propane. Were in central Ohio.

my goal is to have a nice warm cozy evening by a fire and feel the warmth, and hear the noises.

I understand a wood insert you won’t actually get to hear the crackle much but I figured maybe there was a good insert that you can hear it more than others.

My home is 1200 sq ft, where it’s going is in the chimney which is a back corner which is open to a living area , kitchen and an entry room. The bedrooms are in a hallway off the opposite end.

I am told fireplaces will actually end up costing me more to heat my home whereas a wood stove will end up likely saving money on propane.

for a 1200 sq ft 1 story ranch,and a budget of $4,000 tops installed what are a few units you would recommend? Is $4,000 installed a good budget?

I don’t need anything too fancy, but I don’t want the cheapest unit just bc it’s cheap. I want a reliable unit with a viewing window & probably the option of a blower?

 

[begreen]

Maybe consider an insert that has a fireplace screen option? That will give you the option to burn with the door open.

 

[Paperchief]

Maybe consider an insert that has a fireplace screen option? That will give you the option to burn with the door open.

Thanks. I have not heard of this before!

 

[begreen]

Some Osburn inserts offer this option.

 

[Rickb]

Post some pics of what you currently have and maybe the opening dimensions and im sure you will get lots of good suggestions.

 

[spudman99]

If you are indeed going to install an insert, please, please, please get your wood now. Any modern insert needs dry wood, that is 20% moisture measured at the middle of a fresh split at room temperature (or around 70 deg). If you are planning on burning an open fireplace, dry wood will be your friend to avoid chimney fires (trust me I had one from wet wood).

Look long and hard at your budget and desires. With an insert it will function best when closed and producing heat, leaving a door open or having a screen is almost counter productive. An insert will produce more heat and warm your room and house in a positive way. That will take time to secure, stack and cover the wood so budget that element.

 

[Dix]

1st, welcome to the forums !! The knowledge here is unbeatable.

I'm a little confused. Is the FP in the basement, or is there a hook up a wood stove in the basement, and the FP is on the first floor?

Also a floor plan layout (I'm the floor plan gal ) would be an immense help.

I can honestly tell you that I grew up with coal stoves & fireplaces, and when I installed the PE, the quickly noted benefits of the heating capability of the insert far outweighed the FP "ambiance".

I second working on firewood NOW, it makes a huge difference.

Again, welcome to the forums !!