Open or Insert?

[mass_burner]

Ok, I was working in the basement this weekend and was contemplating putting an insert in my last remaining open fireplace. I feel ambivalent about this because the thought of never being able have a fire in an open fireplace. But at the same time, the only thought in my mind when looking at a fire in an open fireplace is the 15% efficiency. We are planning to "finish" the basement at some point. (I use the quotes cause our idea of finishing for this basement will be very minimalistic: smooth concrete floors, movable walls, floating ceiling panels, etc.)

Should I just crush my last remaining romantic feeling for an open fire once and for all?

 

[Beer Belly]

I'm not sure about others, but our insert (Avalon Ranier) can be had with a screen door that be switched out with the glass door for that open fireplace feel.

 

[lml999]

If you're looking for an occasional romantic fire, leave it open. For occasional use, the reduced efficiency is balanced by the additional cost of purchasing and installing the insert.

Also, I'd guess that a basement fireplace pulls less heat from the house than a first level fireplace...

If you're looking to heat the basement with it, get an insert with a big window.

 

[mass_burner]

I'm not sure about others, but our insert (Avalon Ranier) can be had with a screen door that be switched out with the glass door for that open fireplace feel.

Interesting, is it a big deal to switch out?

 

[mass_burner]

Also, I'd guess that a basement fireplace pulls less heat from the house than a first level fireplace...If you're looking to heat the basement with it, get an insert with a big window.

Actually our basement is a stable 62d year round opposed to the first level. In dead winter I work down there with just a small space heater next to my office chair. On sweltering humid days it feels like its air conditioned. I plan to insulate the ceiling and see what its like. I want to try and keep the walls concrete.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Go with insert, I wood...

 

[Ashful]

Many stoves (my Jotul Firelights included) are approved for open door burning, with screen installed. My screen just drops in place, 2 second change-over.

 

[mass_burner]

Many stoves (my Jotul Firelights included) are approved for open door burning, with screen installed. My screen just drops in place, 2 second change-over.

but i'm talking insert, not a freestander.

 

[Grisu]

Actually our basement is a stable 62d year round opposed to the first level. In dead winter I work down there with just a small space heater next to my office chair. On sweltering humid days it feels like its air conditioned. I plan to insulate the ceiling and see what its like. I want to try and keep the walls concrete.

Why putting an insert in then? It sounds like you will be hard pressed to recover that upfront investment. I would stick with the space heater and maybe think about a PV array.

 

[Dave A.]

Same idea, screen in stove or insert, open door fire in stove (not in fireplace).

Edit: (Was replying to MB. Grisu message appeared when I posted mine.)

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Get one with a large glass viewing area, I'd take my view of my insert over. My old open fireplace any day of the week. If you can afford an insert it would make a better space heater then what you using now...

 

[mellow]

Should I just crush my last remaining romantic feeling for an open fire once and for all?

Sounds like the Hearthcat is what you are looking for: http://www.clearskiesunlimited.com

(broken image removed)

 

[mass_burner]

Sounds like the Hearthcat is what you are looking for: http://www.clearskiesunlimited.com

(broken image removed)

does this thing produce heat?

 

[mass_burner]

Why putting an insert in then? It sounds like you will be hard pressed to recover that upfront investment. I would stick with the space heater and maybe think about a PV array.

space heater is good for me, but i run hot. wife/kid need more, also as a finished area it really does need a source of heat.

 

[Beer Belly]

Interesting, is it a big deal to switch out?

No, just lift the door off the hinge, and put the screen door in place

 

[mellow]

does this thing produce heat?

No idea, but I just found the price, you might as well buy an insert, they want $700 for that thing.

I remember reading about it years ago but never heard of anyone getting one. It is a good idea but those are some huge cats in it, can't be cheap to replace them.

 

[Grisu]

space heater is good for me, but i run hot. wife/kid need more, also as a finished area it really does need a source of heat.

Electric baseboards. We have a similar room downstairs, maybe 15x20. Pretty well insulated but does get colder in the winter than 62 F. Has a fireplace and electric baseboards set to 50 F in the winter. Used about 3 days a week by our kids who increase the thermostat to 70 F for a few hours. Looked at my smart meter readings last winter and calculated that room cost us about $50 extra that winter. For that, I won't buy and tend an insert. Nevertheless, if you want to make it a fullfledged living space/family room, go for it. Nothing beats having the family sitting around a nice, warm fire.

 

[mass_burner]

Electric baseboards. We have a similar room downstairs, maybe 15x20. Pretty well insulated but does get colder in the winter than 62 F. Has a fireplace and electric baseboards set to 50 F in the winter. Used about 3 days a week by our kids who increase the thermostat to 70 F for a few hours. Looked at my smart meter readings last winter and calculated that room cost us about $50 extra that winter. For that, I won't buy and tend an insert. Nevertheless, if you want to make it a fullfledged living space/family room, go for it. Nothing beats having the family sitting around a nice, warm fire.

If it were 15x20 I would agree, but its

Electric baseboards. We have a similar room downstairs, maybe 15x20. Pretty well insulated but does get colder in the winter than 62 F. Has a fireplace and electric baseboards set to 50 F in the winter. Used about 3 days a week by our kids who increase the thermostat to 70 F for a few hours. Looked at my smart meter readings last winter and calculated that room cost us about $50 extra that winter. For that, I won't buy and tend an insert. Nevertheless, if you want to make it a fullfledged living space/family room, go for it. Nothing beats having the family sitting around a nice, warm fire.

If it were 15x20 I would agree. But my basement is the footprint of the entire house, excluding the garage, that's 1600 Sq. Ft.

 

[Grisu]

For that kind of space I would certainly consider an insert, too. I hope you can find one to your liking.