New Wood Stove Insert

[CCifone]

Good Afternoon,

I am new to the site and to wood burning stove inserts. I've been reading the great information on this site and have already learned a lot. This brings me to my question, I went to buy a wood insert yesterday and had my mind set on the Harman 300i which I would have had to order. During my visit the sales person showed me the Hampton HI301 which was also on my list and was in stock at a very,very nice price installed. I ultimately made the purchase but now I am second guessing my decision. The main reason for my hesitation is the size of the firebox. I have a well built energy efficient 3900 SQFT house about 3 years old and was looking to use this stove to mainly heat the main floor and possibly warm the upstairs enough to help offset my propane furnace needs. The stove won't be installed until end of November so I think I can still change if needed. Any advice will be welcomed.. Thank You

 

[begreen]

Welcome. Both stoves are good. Hampton owners really like there stoves. However, you are heating 2 houses worth of sq ftg. and even more cubic ftg. if there are extra high ceilings. Normally a house this large would take 2 stoves or a wood furnace or boiler. That said the insert will help make a dent in the propane bill. How much will depend on a lot of factors including house insulation, outdoor temps, dryness and quality of the wood supply, operator proficiency, etc.. If you can fit a larger insert in and this room is part of an open floor plan then a larger insert might be worth considering. Otherwise perhaps think about a second stove?

 

[CCifone]

Welcome. Both stoves are good. Hampton owners really like there stoves. However, you are heating 2 houses worth of sq ftg. and even more cubic ftg. if there are extra high ceilings. Normally a house this large would take 2 stoves or a wood furnace or boiler. That said the insert will help make a dent in the propane bill. How much will depend on a lot of factors including house insulation, outdoor temps, dryness and quality of the wood supply, operator proficiency, etc.. If you can fit a larger insert in and this room is part of an open floor plan then a larger insert might be worth considering. Otherwise perhaps think about a second stove?

Thank You begreen for your reply.. I do have a second flue in my basement but unfortunately I think it's too close to my Propane furnace and gas lines. I am told my only option would be a pellet stove.

 

[Grisu]

How much propane do you usually use during the coldest months (January/February). That will give you an estimate how large the woodstove should be.

How many cords of dry wood do you have already?

 

[CCifone]

How much propane do you usually use during the coldest months (January/February). That will give you an estimate how large the woodstove should be.

How many cords of dry wood do you have already?

Hard to say for sure my guess is around 800 gal but keep in mind I use it for cooking and hot water also.. I have 3 cords of wood but planning on using bio bricks too.

 

[Grisu]

800 gal over which time frame? And how much are you using per summer month to adjust for hot water and cooking?

 

[weatherguy]

What's the size of the opening of your fireplace? You may be able to go with a bigger stove than either of the two you mentioned. My first stove was too small to heat my whole house but did make a huge dent in the oil bill, like Begreen mentioned there's a lot of factors.

 

[CCifone]

800 gal over which time frame? And how much are you using per summer month to adjust for hot water and cooking?

I have 1000 gal tank although they only fill to about 85 perc for expansion. I last filled in late April and as of today I am at about 49 perc full. I'll have to look tomorrow for my March bill but I did find one from last year Jan 15. I think I went from Late October / early Nov to Jan 15 on about 520 gal.

 

[CCifone]

What's the size of the opening of your fireplace? You may be able to go with a bigger stove than either of the two you mentioned. My first stove was too small to heat my whole house but did make a huge dent in the oil bill, like Begreen mentioned there's a lot of factors.

29" tall , 35" wide, 20" deep

 

[Grisu]

Ok, some off the cuff calculations:
April to now = 6 months; 850 gl minus 490 gl = 360 gl. 360 gl/6 months = 60 gl per month for cooking + hot water.
Nov ? to Jan 15 = 2 months; 520 gl - 120 gl = 400 gl/2 months = 200 gl per month during the winter for heating.
1 gl propane = 91,000 BTU; with ~80% efficient propane furnace approx. 75,000 BTU, times 200 gl = 15 mill. BTU for heat per month. That's roughly one cord hardwood per month or ~5 per winter. If you want to almost eliminate your propane heating bill, you may want to look for a larger stove than the Hampton. You may need a firebox of 3 cu ft to burn that much wood and your fireplace could accommodate a larger unit. Of course, the question is how well the warm air will travel around your home. While a larger stove may put out all the heat you need you still need to get it to the other end of the house.

 

[CCifone]

Ok, some off the cuff calculations:
April to now = 6 months; 850 gl minus 490 gl = 360 gl. 360 gl/6 months = 60 gl per month for cooking + hot water.
Nov ? to Jan 15 = 2 months; 520 gl - 120 gl = 400 gl/2 months = 200 gl per month during the winter for heating.
1 gl propane = 91,000 BTU; with ~80% efficient propane furnace approx. 75,000 BTU, times 200 gl = 15 mill. BTU for heat per month. That's roughly one cord hardwood per month or ~5 per winter. If you want to almost eliminate your propane heating bill, you may want to look for a larger stove than the Hampton. You may need a firebox of 3 cu ft to burn that much wood and your fireplace could accommodate a larger unit. Of course, the question is how well the warm air will travel around your home. While a larger stove may put out all the heat you need you still need to get it to the other end of the house.

Thank you this is very helpful.. Any recommendations?? I believe the harmen 300I has a 3 cu ft fire box which is what my original selection was. Ugh !

 

[weatherguy]

Thank you this is very helpful.. Any recommendations?? I believe the harmen 300I has a 3 cu ft fire box which is what my original selection was. Ugh !

Since you're 29" high you can consider a free stander with a rear vent, look a my avatar that's what I'm doing.

 

[CCifone]

Since you're 29" high you can consider a free stander with a rear vent, look a my avatar that's what I'm doing.

Thanks You for your input and suggestion. We prefer the cleaner look of an insert over a freestanding unit. Our room space in narrow so a free standing unit would also consume a bit more space.

 

[CCifone]

Ok I spoke to my dealer today and I can go with a bigger unit. The three on my short list are the Harman 300I, and The Regency CI2600 or I3100. Which do you think would be best based on my situation ? Thank You Again

 

[begreen]

The downdraft nature of Harman's insert has mixed reviews. This is not a fault of the insert as much as it is of the design. Downdraft stoves can be touchy about draft and tend to like to be run hot. If you have a tallish chimney, say between 20-25', then it may work out ok. Given the size of the place you probably would be running it hot most of the time.

This thread might be helpful: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/harman-300i-help.124610

Of those 3 listed the Regency i3100 is a proven workhorse. The ci2600 is new, we'll need a season to see how it does. A couple folks have reported on recent purchases of this insert. One thing to consider, a flush insert relies on the blower for convection. Generally the more an insert sticks out on the hearth the better it will heat without the blower. Something to think about if power outages are common in winter. Another 3 cu ft stove to ask about would be the Pacific Energy Summit if it will fit.

 

[CCifone]

The downdraft nature of Harman's insert has mixed reviews. This is not a fault of the insert as much as it is of the design. Downdraft stoves can be touchy about draft and tend to like to be run hot. If you have a tallish chimney, say between 20-25', then it may work out ok. Given the size of the place you probably would be running it hot most of the time.

This thread might be helpful: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/harman-300i-help.124610

Of those 3 listed the Regency i3100 is a proven workhorse. The ci2600 is new, we'll need a season to see how it does. A couple folks have reported on recent purchases of this insert. One thing to consider, a flush insert relies on the blower for convection. Generally the more an insert sticks out on the hearth the better it will heat without the blower. Something to think about if power outages are common in winter. Another 3 cu ft stove to ask about would be the Pacific Energy Summit if it will fit.

Thank You for your advice. I have at least a 25 ft chimney two floors 9 foot ceiling on each plus a attic with 45 pitch roof so in terms of down draft it sounds like i would be good there. My dealer is recommending the CI2600 but I am on the fence about the flush mount. I'll give the the thread you've included a read. Thanks Again

 

[Grisu]

Some other large inserts:
Lopi Freedom and Large Flush Hybrid (see also Avalon and FireplaceXtraordinaire)
Quadrafire 5100i
BlazeKing Princess (catalytic)
Buck 91 and Kuma Sequoia (both catalytic and need 8" liner)
Osburn 2400

A step down in size but similar in look to the Hampton is the Enviro 1700 Boston. Not sure if the slightly bigger firebox will make much of a difference, though.

 

[CCifone]

Some other large inserts:
Lopi Freedom and Large Flush Hybrid (see also Avalon and FireplaceXtraordinaire)
Quadrafire 5100i
BlazeKing Princess (catalytic)
Buck 91 and Kuma Sequoia (both catalytic and need 8" liner)
Osburn 2400

A step down in size but similar in look to the Hampton is the Enviro 1700 Boston. Not sure if the slightly bigger firebox will make much of a difference, though.

Thanks Again.. for the advice. Can anyone tell me if I3100 is Catalytic or None ? I can't seem to find it on their site. Also can you safely burn Bio Logs or Bricks in any of these stoves ?

 

[BrotherBart]

Non-cat.

http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts/I3100.aspx

 

[begreen]

Also can you safely burn Bio Logs or Bricks in any of these stoves ?

Yes, though the safety is also in the hands of the operator. Burn the product as directed and it should be fine. I would avoid the less densely packed logs, they burn too quickly and are ashy. And don't burn anything with paraffin added like DuraFlame logs. If you have a heavy duty truck for transporting a palette load they sell good product in Enfield, CT.

 

[CCC]

I would stay away from the Harman 300I. I have this stove and there are known issues with the left fan burning out. I hjave had to replace mine 3 times in the few years that I owned this stove; at $140 a fan, you will lose the savings you get over time from burning wood. I plan on tearing this stove out and replacing it due to my disatifaction!

 

[BrotherBart]

The OP bought a Regency insert back in early January.

Closing this one.