need help choosing a fireplace

[eloise]

I would like to put a fireplace into my living room. There is nothing there now so I am starting from scratch. I've looked at zero clearance wood burning fireplaces and have also considered building a fireplace. I think the "real" fireplace may look great, but am afraid of losing heat instead of gaining a heat source. I live on a cold windy hilltop in New York and could use a heat boost, especially when the power is out.
The fireplace xtrordinaire elite looks great, but I am hearing that there are problems with the cat. converter and the air cooled chimney on an outer wall . I've looked at the Opel 3 (RSF) and quafrafire 7100. The new door and grates for the Opel 3 are nice.
Any input in helping me with this decision would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[crazy_dan]

If you are wanting heat go with a wood stove. they have come a long way from the days of old and have large viewing glass so you can see the fire and some are quite good looking. I have never installed a fireplace but I have installed a few wood stoves and I think the stove would probably be an easier install.
also square footage of house would help

 

[jtp10181]

I agree. Also a wood stove would give you a lot more options. Many manufacturers only have one or two EPA-ZC units but MANY stoves to pick from. Is there a particular reason you want to do a built in unit instead of a stove?

 

[eloise]

Thank you for your thoughts on wood stoves. I was going with the fire place for looks. The house is 1200 sq ft. The living room in 19x19 with a long empty outside wall with two small windows at each end. I thought the fireplace would work as a visual focal point in the middle of this long wall. Therefore, I have concerns of how the zero clearance unit will look.
I could put another window there instead of a fireplace and put in a wood stove some place else. So basically it was a design decision to go with a centrally located fireplace. When costs started coming in for fire place xtrodinaire, boxing in a chimney and then facing the fireplace with stone or tiles, I realized it was a big investment and needed to think through alternatives. so now I am weighing options. The xtrodinaire looks good, but may not be a practical workable solution. the other fireplace units, although maybe more practical to an outside wall, may not offer the look for the money. Regardless, I will need an alternative heat source for when the winds blow.

 

[JimWalshin845]

A stove is the way to go and many models now are very beautiful in their appearance. Maybe if you look at the photo gallery you can get some better ideas.

https://www.hearth.com/gallery/

Welcome aboard and good luck!

 

[begreen]

If at all possible, try avoid putting the fireplace on an outside wall. This is a bad location. A cold exterior wall fireplace is often the source of many woes, including poor burning, smoke spilling into the room, and bad odors coming from the fireplace when it's not burning. If the outside wall is the only viable location, perhaps a gas fireplace is a better choice.

However, if you can locate a good looking wood stove in a more central location, or at least keep the flue inside the house envelope, I agree this is the best solution. Done right it can be the source of visual pleasure year round and will provide you with a nice fire view and warmth.

 

[eloise]

Thank you. I looked at the photo gallery and there are some attractive or quaint small wood stoves. Is there a way to hide the stove pipe? Since the living room is surrounded on three sides by outside walls, I do not have an alternative to putting the stove or fire place on an outside wall. There is one small three wall between doors that is inside. Therefore the stove pipe would be visible. I don't find stove pipe an attractive living room item. The ONE inside wall houses the piano.

 

[scfa99]

Eloise, regarding the Quad 7100, I would take that off the list as it might over power 1200 sqft.

 

[begreen]

Some manufacturers like Vermont Castings sell matching pipe. Perhaps you could get enameled pipe to match the stove? Or the pipe could be painted in a limited range of colors.

What is above the wall you want to put the fireplace on? It's possible to build in the entire fireplace/flue assembly on the interior of the home, providing there is sufficient room depth to do this. But it might be too imposing in a smaller room. This unit for example requires about 2 feet depth.

 

[eloise]

Thank you. The stove with matching stove pipe looks like a possibility. I'll have to check necessary space requirements. The room is almost 20 by 20, but because there is a piano in the room, space is limited. The zero clearance extended into the room, as in the picture you posted, will make the room too cramped. That is why I was going with zero c. on the exterior.
I'm glad to have gotten all this feedback before buying anything.
How about an RSF that has an insulated non-air cooled stove pipe? I have lots of wood so prefer to stay with wood, but am beginning to think a gas fired stove a possibility. I am not sure if they work when the power is out.
Thank you for all your help.

 

[eloise]

Hello again,
Thank you for the info on wood stoves and gas stoves as opposed to ZC wood burners.
I've been to the stove stores today and checked out specs for wood burning stoves. Although they are efficient, they require more room than the zero clearnace FPX , Quad, or rsf models. Gas may be still be a alternative choice, but i am hoping to go with wood if at all possible. Thanks to the input of your professionals or experienced wood burners, i was able to eliminate the Quad. The FPX seems like it could be problematic, unless I insulate the chimney housing on the exterior of the house. actually, this sounds like a good idea for any ZC fireplace.
So now, if i stay with the ZC, it looks like I should be looking at the RSF or FPX. An words of wisdom or reviews on these stoves would be helpful. Looks like I am staying away from gas or wood stoves unless absolutely necessary.
Thank you.
Eloise

 

[builderbob]

So now, if i stay with the ZC, it looks like I should be looking at the RSF or FPX. An words of wisdom or reviews on these stoves would be helpful. ........Eloise

Check the stove reviews available at hearth.com---see home page, then scroll down the openup menu on right side of page to "rate Your Stove/Fireplace". You can view all or select by manufacturer from another openup menu.

Also, a few more possibilities:
KozyheatZ42 zc woodburning unit, approved for use with solidpack chimney
www.kozyheat.com

Security Bis Tradition/Lennox Montecito Estate, zc woodburing fireplaces, both use
solidpack chimney. Security and Lennox also make a few other zc models, such as
BIS Ultima and Bis Ultra and Bis Panaramo
(broken link removed)
(can link from there to Security Chimney Co to see Bis fireplace site)

 

[eloise]

Thank you for the information. The Lennox and the Kozy Heat are both nice looking xcwb fireplaces. The 36 inch is all I would need. I looked at the Hearth.com reviews as you suggested but saw little of the RSF.
Still thinking and weighing options. (Wood stove vs. xcwb fireplace)
I get a higher comfort level with the non-catalitic.
Eloise

 

[builderbob]

Thank you for the information. The Lennox and the Kozy Heat are both nice looking xcwb fireplaces. The 36 inch is all I would need. I looked at the Hearth.com reviews as you suggested but saw little of the RSF.
Still thinking and weighing options. (Wood stove vs. xcwb fireplace)
I get a higher comfort level with the non-catalitic.
Eloise

Kozyheat and all Bis/Lennox zc fireplaces are non-catalytic, except for the Bis Panorama.

If you do a search of discussion threads here in the hearth forum, you can find discussion of many Bis/Lennox models, the Kozyheat, and also RSF zc woodburning fireplaces.

One of the RSF models I seem to recall there was something tricky about. I think it had to do with it is EPA rated/approved "with" a catalytic converter, but it is also sold/advertised/available "without" catalytic converter. It has higher emissions (pollution) without the converter, and may not be approved for install in all locations without the catalytic unit in it (I think that tidbit came up in a California discussion).

 

[denn]

I don't see you going wrong with the Kozy Z42-CD. Compare the weight of different companies, I believe the Kozy is the heavy weight. I have never heard any thing bad about them. A house in this area with a Kozy is a selling point as aposed to other brands.
Z42-CD $1957 to $2175 + Grill (black)$99 + Blower Kit $280