Pellet Insert in a Propane fireplace

[Gunkaloo]

Maybe a silly question.
I'm planning on replacing my propane fireplace with a pellet insert. I have one of those suburban style "bump out" propane fireplaces with a 10" metal vent. I think you see these all over cul-da-sacs. Since I assumed pellet stoves did not require a chimney I figured this would be easy. However I've come to realize even if the pellet fit the location I might not be allowed to do this. Does anyone have a feeling on this replacement? Size wise I believe they will be identical. I can match BTUs if that matters even though I was thinking of going from 20000BTU propane to 45000BTU pellet, but can match if that matters. I'll check with my local dealer but I figured I'd get everyone's 2 cents.
Thanks
Jason

 

[flynfrfun]

Yes, I did the same. Mine was a natural gas fireplace that I converted to pellet. Same as yours, the bumpout or doghouse style. What you have to do is follow the stove manufacturers installation manual (download them online) which may require certain things. My Enviro M55 required me to essentially build a Durock enclosure with metal studs used as the framework under the tile. Clearances are important. But it all depends on the stove. Like I said, download the manual from the stove manufacturers website and it should tell you exactly what you have to do. Some are as simple as buying a "zero clearance" kit, but your opening has to be big enough to accomodate it. If not then you will have to make the opening bigger. I insulated the doghouse while I was at it and it made a big difference in heat retention even though the exterior wall was already insulated. The cold air would seep thru the uninsulated doghouse, around the stove and into the house. Not any more.

I'm loving the change. The gas fireplace was an el-cheapo that didn't really add much if any heat to the room. It was just for looks. Now, we use the pellet stove for a lot of our heating needs. When we are away at work or at night we let our furnace keep the house at 65F. But when we get home from work or on weekends, we fire up the stove and let it bring our downstairs up to 82F. Heating the whole house to that temp would cost us an arm and a leg with our furnace, but "spaceheating" with the pellet stove actually costs us about the same as what we were spending before but we are a lot warmer.

 

[Lousyweather]

well, follow the manual, UL listed appliance.......most likely, the gas fireplace wont be adequate for you to just slap the unit into it, and I wouldn't vent the pellet stove into the 10" pipe, especially if its gas vent. Most likely you will be needing a liner and a zero clearance box.......

 

[P38X2]

Another thing you may have to consider is the setup of your FP surround/hearth/mantle. In order to remove mine, I'd have to remove ALL the wood CAREFULLY, then likely break out the granite surround that's behind that. Only then could I remove my FP. Ridiculous design IMO. Maybe yours is different.

Also, keeping your FP and adding a freestanding unit MAY be beneficial to the value of your home.

 

[Gunkaloo]

Thanks a lot everyone. I'm pretty handy but some things like Fire and Electrical I leave to a professional. So I will likely have it installed. However if the Doghouse style was a no-go right from the start then I'd be back at square one. I too am looking at the M55. I would consider a free standing version but my living room isn't all that big for the space it would take.

Also my fireplace store quoted that the insert costs more than the free standing. Seems really strange since the free standing version requires so much more material and quality casting. Any thoughts? Since the insert was not in the store it was probably List price where the M55 free standing was there and the price was less by more than $1000.

 

[SXIPro]

As an insert owner for over 10 yrs, I'd probably go freestanding if I had it to do over. Much easier to clean/maintain and typically the freestanding units hold way more pellets.(Well, at least in the models I was choosing between)

 

[Pelleting In NJ]

Check out th Quadrafire "Edge-60" zero-clearance pellet fireplace. 125 pound hopper, 60KBTU, slide-out rails, flush-mount front, andt ability to run off of a 12V car battery during a power outage. These were discontinued by Quad due to slow sales, but many Dealers bought out the clearance inventory and are selling them for about $3000, a $2500 discount from the original selling price.