My dad now wants to get a wood stove insert

[stanleyjohn]

Dad loves the rec room in his basement and wants to put in a fireplace insert.Trying my best to help him out in the decision process.The house is a ranch of around 1700 sq ft.Around 700 sq ft of the basement area will be heated and hes hoping some of the heat will travel upstairs but the rec room will be the primary heating area.He has been to two stove dealers in his area and has found 3 stoves in the price range he wants to spend.Here are three choices
1- Morso 1710
2- Regency I1200
3- Country Striker c160

Both dealers seem to think that a mid size stove would be to much for what he needs.A full size ss liner sealed top and bottom would be installed.The total cost would be between 2600 and 3000.What do you think,your input would be most helpfull.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Depends on a lot of factors, but given the relatively small space/area, 700 sf, a small unit is in order.

What is included in the total cost? I assume a standards installation of say 25' or less of stainless steel liner inside the existing masonry fireplace/chimney. That being the case the price looks about right, I would guess the $3K+ range. If the current fireplace is already served by a stainless steel liner chimney, I'd think the price with installation would be less. You didn't say what any of the components cost are, perhaps that is the lesser of your question(s).

Good luck, Im sure he'll enjoy it when cold weather comes again...hope he has an honest source of hardwood, there should be a good supply in CT.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Depends on a lot of factors, but given the relatively small space/area, 700 sf, a small unit is in order.

What is included in the total cost? I assume a standards installation of say 25' or less of stainless steel liner inside the existing masonry fireplace/chimney. That being the case the price looks about right, I would guess the $3K+ range. If the current fireplace is already served by a stainless steel liner chimney, I'd think the price with installation would be less. You didn't say what any of the components cost are, perhaps that is the lesser of your question(s).

Good luck, Im sure he'll enjoy it when cold weather comes again...hope he has an honest source of hardwood, there should be a good supply in CT.

Thanks JerrY!There is a standard masonary fireplace in the rec room now that he uses all the time.Wood wont be a problem!he always seems to get plenty.

 

[jadm]

When I was shopping for a new insert this past winter I looked at the Morso inserts too because they have been around a long time and have a good reputation. What made me decide against it was the size of the firebox. It is very small. Wood in my area is usually cut at 16" by most suppliers. I would have had to had it custom cut which costs....If he cuts his own wood than that won't pose a problem. I don't think it came with a blower either which makes a difference with an insert in distributing the hot air around your room.

I looked at the Regency too. I liked it all except that the air tubes were easily knocked out of place which is a hassle when loading wood.

Don't know anything about the third pick.

Would highly recommend a model with the blowers mounted on the front or side where they are easy to get to to clean and repair. On my old insert it was on the back of the unit which meant that the entire unit had to be pulled to get to it...

$3,000. is about what I paid to have my instillation done. I had liner already but had to replace some of it because it was bent out of shape from a poor first install.

 

[begreen]

The Country C160 is a nice stove, made locally, now sold by Lennox.

All of these are small stoves. If your dad's basement is not well insulated + he wants heat upstairs + he wants an overnight fire and if he lives in CT, I'd get at least a mid-sized stove. He doesn't have to run it with a full load of wood or at full temp. He will really appreciate the reserve power, longer burns and easier loading of a bigger stove. If he can fit in a larger stove I would recommend he do it.

However, if your dad just wants a little supplemental warmth on evenings when they are using the rec room, then the smaller stove should do the job.

Just curious, how would the heat get upstairs? Is there a large open stairway or other good path for the heat?

 

[JustWood]

If your going to do it ,do it right and put a mid size in especially if there isn't much price dif. I would hate for your first post next winter to be, " Should have installed a larger insert because oil, gas ,propane etc is up $$$$$$$$$/GAL " Run partial loads if it turns out to be too big of a stove. Heat naturally rises, any extra heat going upstairs will cut down on his heat bill.

 

[RedRanger]

If your going to do it ,do it right and put a mid size in especially if there isn't much price dif. I would hate for your first post next winter to be, " Should have installed a larger insert because oil, gas ,propane etc is up $$$$$$$$$/GAL " Run partial loads if it turns out to be too big of a stove. Heat naturally rises, any extra heat going upstairs will cut down on his heat bill.

Right on the money!! How many posts have we seen here stating-"wish I had bought a larger stove"? It may be the same old-same-old, but you can always build a smaller fire in a large stove,but you can`t build a large fire in a tiny stove. Insert or stove,get a minimum 2.0 cu.ft firebox.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Thanks for all the good advice!I agree with you all that bigger is better than not big enough.I will talk to my dad about getting a mid size!It should not cost too much more.I have the Harman insert which is considered mid size (2.6 cu)and the cost wasn't much more than what he has been Quoted.It would be nice to heat some of the main floor but i really dont know how much heat would get up stairs.The main focus is to heat the rec room (70% of basement area) any more would be a bonus.Here are some drawings i made of his home!The insert will be placed in the basement where the fireplace is shown.

 

[begreen]

It doesn't look like a lot of heat would make it's way upstairs. The staircase appears added on the side of the house. I'm guessing it's unheated and perhaps a bit chilly?

If it were me, I'd still want a mid-sized insert assuming it would fit in the fireplace. The PE Pacifc D1, Hearthstone Clydesdale, Jotul C450, Regency 2400i are some options. There is no need to run the stove with a full load of wood all the time. But when it's really cold or when you want a long lasting fire, the bigger stove will do the job.

However, if he's set on the original 3 choices then I'd probably get one with a blower. I think that counts the Morso out. If he orders a Regency or the Country, be sure it is included with the price. It's something like $250 for the blower "option". This is standard on PE, Hearthstone and Jotul inserts.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Thanks BeGreen!The stairway is to the side but stairs are open to the top level,but still think heat will have hard time getting upstairs. It looks like he will be buying from the same dealer as i did.They carry the regency,Quadrafire and harman stoves.I can give him a choice of these three!
1 Regency I2400
2 Quadrafire 3100I
3 Harman Exception F200
All 3 should fit into his fireplace if he measured correctly.
On cost all i know is what i paid for my harman!$3000 installed with full ss liner.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Well! I saw my dad today and convinced him that he should get at least a med size wood insert.He should be going to the dealer soon to select his wood stove!At the moment it looks like the Regency I2400 will be the one for him.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Called my parents today and mom said dad bought a regency I2400 wood insert.Ill see him this weekend and get details.Anyone here have a Regency?and how do you like it.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I have a Regency and love it. There's no way that I baby that insert and have never knocked those airtubes out. I second the mid-size recommendation- the downside of the insert is that the blower is really needed to get the heat out, but the bonus for your dad is that you can shut it off or put it on low if you're getting blasted out of the room.

 

[stanleyjohn]

I have a Regency and love it. There's no way that I baby that insert and have never knocked those airtubes out. I second the mid-size recommendation- the downside of the insert is that the blower is really needed to get the heat out, but the bonus for your dad is that you can shut it off or put it on low if you're getting blasted out of the room.

Thanks Adios! Im sure he will be getting the blower for it.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Sorry- I have a "Hampton"- owned by Regency, right? Anyway- nice stove

 

[stanleyjohn]

Well my dad got his regency I2400 delivered today but had a complication.I guess his fireplace isn't too standard and the installers will need to use some kind of elbow with the flex liner.It seems his flume has a big bend going down making a standard installation impossible.They will be back in a week or so to finish the job.

 

[BrotherBart]

Well my dad got his regency I2400 delivered today but had a complication.I guess his fireplace isn't too standard and the installers will need to use some kind of elbow with the flex liner.It seems his flume has a big bend going down making a standard installation impossible.They will be back in a week or so to finish the job.

Not unusual to have to angle through the damper area with an elbow. Saves kinking the liner when you turn it down into the insert. Ca ching. Fifty more bucks.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Saw my dads new wood stove this weekend and it will be interesting on how they install the ss liner to the top of the insert.The fireplace is very deep!but only about 2 inch clearance on the sides and top with stove in the fireplace.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Sounds like the insert is too big.

My Quadrafire 4100-I has about 10" clearance on the top and at least 6" on the left and right. This made it easy to reach in over the top of the insert to connect the liner..can't envision doing this job with only a couple of inches.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Sounds like the insert is too big.

My Quadrafire 4100-I has about 10" clearance on the top and at least 6" on the left and right. This made it easy to reach in over the top of the insert to connect the liner..can't envision doing this job with only a couple of inches.

Thanks Jerry! The installer did not say that the install wasn't going to work!just that they needed to get some extra piece to make the ss liner line up because the flume wasn't so straight near the bottom.Still cant figure how they plan to do it with so little space to work with.

 

[stanleyjohn]

I was at my parents last weekend and saw that the Regency I2400 still hasn't been installed!dad isn't too happy.Seems like the dealer has been postponing the installation job!doesn't look like an easy job.Clarence is tight!around 4" on top and 3" on each side.Unless you got real fat hands you can reach in with the stove pulled out slightly.If need there is a metal plate going across the top of the fireplace opening that could be cut out allowing another 2 to 3 inches clearance.They are supposed to come tomorrow to finish the job!unless they postpone again which will not sit well with my dad.When you buy a item that needs to be delivered and installed!dont do what my dad did!He paid in full.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

The installer removed the existing damper frame, that gave more space going up from the fireplace firebox. The old damper opening was just under 6" anyway and had to be made wide enough for the 6" pipe. The installation is with a flexible 6" liner, one piece to the top. This allowed for connection with the insert pulled out a good 3" to 5", maybe a little more. In fact I have pulled the insert out that far after installation to do some more vacuuming in the area where the damper frame was removed, gave me access to more odor residue...I've had some problem with odor, this last cleaning seems to have helped.

 

[granpajohn]

Sounds like the insert is too big.

My Quadrafire 4100-I has about 10" clearance on the top and at least 6" on the left and right. This made it easy to reach in over the top of the insert to connect the liner..can't envision doing this job with only a couple of inches.

Thanks Jerry! The installer did not say that the install wasn't going to work!just that they needed to get some extra piece to make the ss liner line up because the flume wasn't so straight near the bottom.Still cant figure how they plan to do it with so little space to work with.

OK here comes a dumb one...Could the part be the optional flue connector kit? I sorta thought that this Regency thing made it possible to secure the liner while working (mostly) from the inside of the stove/insert. Thus overcoming the clearance difficulties a bit.

I once had a strong desire for a Regency H2400, and this was an item that came up. I seem to recall the dealer offering it for $50.

I could be wrong since eventually went with the QF.

 

[stanleyjohn]

OK here comes a dumb one...Could the part be the optional flue connector kit? I sorta thought that this Regency thing made it possible to secure the liner while working (mostly) from the inside of the stove/insert. Thus overcoming the clearance difficulties a bit.

I once had a strong desire for a Regency H2400, and this was an item that came up. I seem to recall the dealer offering it for $50.

I could be wrong since eventually went with the QF.

You could be right! I will findout once the install is complete.

 

[CantAfford$5Oil]

Hi Stanley John,

Would you be kind enough to share with me what type of mantle you have on top of the stove in your picture? My set up is almost just like yours with the square blue stones and raised hearth (my raised hearth portion is capped by brick though). I may have to remove the wood mantle and replace with a non-combustible one to meet clearance code. I'm trying to decide what to replace it with - thinking bluestone. I was hoping to see your fireplace including the mantle - it is very pretty and I like what I can see in your picture! Thanks if you can!!

PS- I hope your dad's install gets finished soon and he is happy in the end. We are considering the exact same insert. Good Luck!