New wood fired insert in my older home - Jotul C 550 V2 Rockland

[flossy21]

Hi,

I recently removed a 1970's era "slam door" type wood insert from our basement fireplace. This is an internal chimney type setup so no exterior exposure of the masonry. I replaced it with a Jotul C 550 V2 Rockland CF which is an EPA insert that was eligible for the IRS credit. We have lived here more than 10 years and never used the old insert because I had it inspected and the chimney sweep said it was dangerous. Here's a pic of the old unit...

I chose the Jotul because it fit our fireplace, met the IRS/EPA guidelines and we liked the flush mount and the look of the face. We are not using this as primary or even secondary heating. We have a fairly new heat pump/propane furnace combo and a fairly new propane insert on the main level of the home so this unit was bought to A.) fill the hole that the old one left behind, B.) act as an insurance policy in case of power outage/SHTF, C.) augment our primary and secondary on those ultra cold days here in Central Virginia.

Today was my 4th burn on the new unit. I am learning as I go and this forum has been very helpful. The Jotul has a temp sensor built into the unit at the top to measure the catalyst temp. The manual says secondary burn occurs from 500 F to 1100 F. My first 3 burns were successively larger as suggested in the manual for break in.

Here's a couple pics from today's burn. Note that our fireplace masonry has these sort of built in vents. These are completely separate from the blower system built into the Jotul. I think they were called a heatilator system back in the day. They do not have any sort of powered fan but they draw air from the side of the chimney and move it around the back of the firebox which is separate from where the insert is housed. As you can see they are quite effective because the temp delta is more than 40 F and it's all passive heat.

New unit in the fireplace. Note the temp unit on the bottom right for the catalyst temp.

67 F at the inlet

112 F at the outlet of the vent above the mantel.

All in I have $7,500 in this unit and the installation. I paid just over $4,000 for the Jotul. I had gotten quotes from several places for the unit and found a couple dealers in WV that were quite a bit better than what I could find locally so I bought one there and went to pick it up myself. I'm happy to share that info with anyone who wants to send me a note.

Thanks for reading and please share any advice you have for me.

 

[EbS-P]

If you haven’t figured it out yet you will… dry wood makes all the difference!

Make a habit of inspecting the cat.

Looks good great


I’d want more flames in my stove for a split that big to burn clean.

 

[stovelark]

The Rockland is a beaut. Good luck with her, stay warm. Good dry seasoned wood, happy insert owner. Stay warm

 

[Angelo C]

Hi,

I recently removed a 1970's era "slam door" type wood insert from our basement fireplace. This is an internal chimney type setup so no exterior exposure of the masonry. I replaced it with a Jotul C 550 V2 Rockland CF which is an EPA insert that was eligible for the IRS credit. We have lived here more than 10 years and never used the old insert because I had it inspected and the chimney sweep said it was dangerous. Here's a pic of the old unit...

View attachment 345312

I chose the Jotul because it fit our fireplace, met the IRS/EPA guidelines and we liked the flush mount and the look of the face. We are not using this as primary or even secondary heating. We have a fairly new heat pump/propane furnace combo and a fairly new propane insert on the main level of the home so this unit was bought to A.) fill the hole that the old one left behind, B.) act as an insurance policy in case of power outage/SHTF, C.) augment our primary and secondary on those ultra cold days here in Central Virginia.

Today was my 4th burn on the new unit. I am learning as I go and this forum has been very helpful. The Jotul has a temp sensor built into the unit at the top to measure the catalyst temp. The manual says secondary burn occurs from 500 F to 1100 F. My first 3 burns were successively larger as suggested in the manual for break in.

Here's a couple pics from today's burn. Note that our fireplace masonry has these sort of built in vents. These are completely separate from the blower system built into the Jotul. I think they were called a heatilator system back in the day. They do not have any sort of powered fan but they draw air from the side of the chimney and move it around the back of the firebox which is separate from where the insert is housed. As you can see they are quite effective because the temp delta is more than 40 F and it's all passive heat.

View attachment 345313
New unit in the fireplace. Note the temp unit on the bottom right for the catalyst temp.

View attachment 345314
67 F at the inlet

View attachment 345315

112 F at the outlet of the vent above the mantel.

All in I have $7,500 in this unit and the installation. I paid just over $4,000 for the Jotul. I had gotten quotes from several places for the unit and found a couple dealers in WV that were quite a bit better than what I could find locally so I bought one there and went to pick it up myself. I'm happy to share that info with anyone who wants to send me a note.

Thanks for reading and please share any advice you have for me.

What temps are you getting with that gun in the box ? I just asked that very question in a thread I started when I purchased the same unit.
Tia

 

[flossy21]

What temps are you getting with that gun in the box ? I just asked that very question in a thread I started when I purchased the same unit.
Tia

What do you mean by "in the box"? The Jotul unit has a factory mounted thermocouple that is mounted in the top RH of the firebox after the catalyst. Jotul provided a digital temperature box that connects to the thermocouple and shows a temp reading. Once the stove is going at steady state then I am seeing anywhere from 450 F to 575 F on that thermocouple. Does that answer your question?

 

[Angelo C]

What do you mean by "in the box"? The Jotul unit has a factory mounted thermocouple that is mounted in the top RH of the firebox after the catalyst. Jotul provided a digital temperature box that connects to the thermocouple and shows a temp reading. Once the stove is going at steady state then I am seeing anywhere from 450 F to 575 F on that thermocouple. Does that answer your question?

I received neither a thermocouple or a digital reader. First I’ve heard or either. Thanks.
I’ve also emailed Jotul through their website on three separate occasions and never heard back.
Thanks much

 

[kborndale]

I received neither a thermocouple or a digital reader. First I’ve heard or either. Thanks.
I’ve also emailed Jotul through their website on three separate occasions and never heard back.
Thanks much

You won't hear back from jotul, they want you to communicate thru the dealer.

 

[Angelo C]

You won't hear back from jotul, they want you to communicate thru the dealer.a

Yea, I kinda figured that out. Unfortunate as that is. Manufacturers support is not a strong point.

 

[flossy21]

I received neither a thermocouple or a digital reader. First I’ve heard or either. Thanks.
I’ve also emailed Jotul through their website on three separate occasions and never heard back.
Thanks much

It sounds like your dealer did not fully install your insert. You should contact the Better Business Bureau in your state and make a complaint about your dealer. When/If you make the complaint lay out in clear terms what you expect them to do for you to be satisfied.

As an example...

1.) Install Jotul factory supplied Catalyst Temperature Probe and Catalyst Temperature Reader per Jotul Installation and Operating Instructions Manual
2.) Fabricate and Install a chimney block plate above the stove.
3.) Fully insulate the metal flue pipe

 

[kborndale]

It sounds like your dealer did not fully install your insert. You should contact the Better Business Bureau in your state and make a complaint about your dealer. When/If you make the complaint lay out in clear terms what you expect them to do for you to be satisfied.

As an example...

1.) Install Jotul factory supplied Catalyst Temperature Probe and Catalyst Temperature Reader per Jotul Installation and Operating Instructions Manual
2.) Fabricate and Install a chimney block plate above the stove.
3.) Fully insulate the metal flue pipe

A block off plate and insulated liner are extra costs and not something they would install unless it was specified and charged for in the contract.

 

[Angelo C]

A block off plate and insulated liner are extra costs and not something they would install unless it was specified and charged for in the contract.

When ever I mention a “Block off plate” to the dealer he looks at me like I have two heads. Also stated that I would only need an insulated flue liner if my insert was not drafting well.

 

[EbS-P]

When ever I mention a “Block off plate” to the dealer he looks at me like I have two heads. Also stated that I would only need an insulated flue liner if my insert was not drafting well.

Don’t use them. If they don’t want to do it right what else are they cutting corners on?

 

[stovelark]

That is unfortunate that dealer is not doing the responsible thing, but it happens in every business of course. Find a reputable chimney person who will do it properly, at least the block off plate, that is important.