Need some help and advice

[dp16]

I posted this in the wood stove forum and was told I should ask here as well to get opinions and options for pellets, so here goes...

The wife and I just bought our first home and are learning the hard way it seems. The house has electric baseboard heat so we were hoping to burn wood to cut down on some of the costs of heating. I had the chimney cleaned and with the advice of some on this forum I took the top plate off of the insert and it revealed that the insert has no piping from the top of the stove/damper to the chimney and the top and sides of the stove are covered in what I am guessing is creocote.

I have asked around and have been told that this stove probably needs an 8" chimney liner (costly). My thought was to get a liner this year and potentially a new insert next year, but the the dealer I talked to advised against that since new stoves use 6" pipes.

The house is a 2200 sq foot bi-level (1100 up and 1100 down) with 8' ceilings (drop ceiling in the lower level). Both levels are finished, lower level is about 3' below the ground level. Guest bedroom, 2nd bathroom, laundry, family room on lower level (all rooms have individual thermostats to control electric heat on/off), main level is living room, dining room, kitchen, bath, bedrooms. Upper/lower level are joined by split staircase at the foyer. Fireplace is on an exterior wall adjacent to the garage below the upstairs living room. Just moved into the house about 45 days ago so we don't have wood in place, but have access to seasoned split wood from a friend who cuts/sells for a living. Generally, the wife and I are home in the evenings and on the weekends and we plan to spend most of our time in the winter in the upper level. So here are my questions...

Do I spend the money to have the current (80's) stove retro-fitted with an adapter and chimney liner?

Do I try to buy a new wood or pellet insert and liner or

Do I buy a smaller stand alone wood or pellet burning stove to put on the upper level?

Fireplace dimensions are 36w x 28 h x 18.5 deep. The width and height are at the front. The box tapers slightly to the back.

I am a new home owner and new to wood and pellet burners so any info and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lake Girl]

Lots to consider between wood and pellets. Wood you have to acquire in advance, cut, split and stack to dry out for a year or two depending on wood variety. Wood hauler of some type, chainsaw, splitter (rental or purchase), moisture meter. Depending on stove, you may get an overnight burn. Hauling for both stove types; different types of mess. Need area to stack wood.

Pellet stove needs regular cleanings, dry area to store wood pellets, cost of pellets not in your control. Haul pellets or have delivered usually for a fee. Pellets dusty but no bugs Require power or generator if power goes down.

It really depends on your lifestyle .. either are likely better than electric!

 

[dp16]

Thank you for the reply. In your opinion, if I went with a pellet insert on the lower level of the house how effective would it be in supplying heat to the main floor?

 

[Bioburner]

Thank you for the reply. In your opinion, if I went with a pellet insert on the lower level of the house how effective would it be in supplying heat to the main floor?

Some of that will depend on the layout of the home. A home with long hall ways and lot of doors may not heat well but a plan that is open and not having high ceilings and with the help of a fan may heat very well. A pellet insert will have a bit more attention as they do not have large ash bins.

 

[dp16]

Thank you. Trying to decide whether to add a new insert or smaller stove on main level. That would leave the lower level to electric heat only however. So many decisions.

 

[velvetfoot]

You have a friend who's a wood guy????? Pellets are expensive. I think the choice of fuel is obvious, hah hah.

The previous owner used the insert, so if you could get a hold of him, maybe he could give you an insight as to how well it worked.
They may have spent more time in the family room since it was nice and cozy with the fire there.
I'd be optimistic that since its a split level, more heat would get upstairs compared with a colonial style.

Have you checked out your chimney? Maybe you have more than one flue in there. Is block and brick, or is it a chase, where you maybe could add another flue. In any event, if you have to add a whole external chimney for a new wood stove on the main level, it could get expensive and might be less than eye pleasing if you don't spend the money. That's where a pellet stove could be attractive. Either option would also take up floor space and the pellet stove would make more noise and not have attractive flames to look at. I know my wife was against a stove because of the loss of floor space.

Of course, you could put in a stove on the main level and tie into the chimney, but then you've lose your fireplace if you only have one flue. I'm not sure if you can vent a pellet insert in the lower level fireplace through the side-maybe.

How will you bring the wood or pellets into the house? Is there a door from the garage to the lower level? That might be convenient, and going down a few stairs might be easier than going up. Maybe not a factor for you.

You shouldn't mess with the old insert. If you do get a new insert, get something like mine (yeah that's what everybody says): a nice Hampton 300i. I think it'll fit the depth as well. https://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts/HI300 . And don't forget an insulated 6" liner. And a nice sofa down there and a big screen tv, while you're at it.

You could put in a mini split heat pump upstairs. They have real efficient ones now that go down to pretty low temps. Plus, you'd have air conditioning in the summer. You might even get a utility rebate-now that's an idea! You have electric baseboard, so if you'd want a bedroom warmer, just twist the dial.

I'm liking the wood insert downstairs and the mini split upstairs.

 

[dp16]

As dumb as it may sound, after reading your post I looked at what the previous owner told me was an a/c unit on the wall and in fact it is a Panasonic a/c and heat unit. I will have to look at it to get all the details, but I think half of the equation "wood insert downstairs and the mini split upstairs. " may be solved. I looked at the insert you listed above online yesterday as well as a buck stove insert. There are local dealers for both nearby. I have a feeling with needing the chimney lined as well, this could be an expensive endeavor.

 

[velvetfoot]

As dumb as it may sound,

That does indeed sound dumb, lol.

It won't be cheap, but it'll be good. Look nice, with and without a fire going. If I were you I'd make sure the insert can take a standard 16" piece front to back. Also, Buck stove might be a catalyst type; I don't know much about them. Good luck.

And don't forget the big sofa and TV!

edit: if it's mini split, there will be a unit outside with refrigerent lines going to the inside unit.

 

[dp16]

Sofa and big tv are already in place...just too d$#% cold to sit down there right now . There is a unit outside that works with a/c heater inside. The previous owner left me a stack of manuals. I will have to see if that is one of them.

 

[velvetfoot]

Sofa and big tv are already in place...just too d$#% cold to sit down there right now . There is a unit outside that works with a/c heater inside. The previous owner left me a stack of manuals. I will have to see if that is one of them.

Arrange the dry wood with your friend NOW, before he sells it.
The stove shops are probably backed up now too, so get cracking.
Remember, if you spend the money NOW, you'll get to enjoy it longer!

 

[velvetfoot]

I hope you didn't throw out that old insert:
(broken link removed to https://www.regency-fire.com/Buyer-s-Guide/Promotions/US-Biomass-Tax-Credit)