Question regarding Pacific Energy Summit installation

[Mike Wirths]

Hi all,

1st post here! So my Wife and I are installing our new Pacific Energy Summit fireplace insert. We are at the point where we can slide the insert in and connect the pipe. Reading through, the manual suggests we are ok so far but there are 2, 4 inch wide rectangular openings on the back of the unit with covers (they are open with only one screw letting them dangle open) so I'm wondering if this is to provide extra air supply to the stove...
There is nothing about these openings in the manual!

Question is do I leave it open as it came from the factory or do I close them? The manual says the cold air supply is done by loosening 2 hex nuts on the front of the unit.... Just don't wannt to get the heavy unit in only to find out we have to slide it back out!!

thanks

Mike

 

[Dave A.]

Welcome, Mike. Good decision on the Summit.

You should close up those back covers. Someone said they are just carrying handles. I assumed like you that they would let more air from the fireplace into the duct exit. But that's wrong. They'll let hot air out into the fireplace.

The cold air supply -- if you're not bringing it up from an ash pit below the unit, you should remove the "air box". I wasn't sure about that myself and thought I'd have to get it out from underneath so I removed it while it was sitting over the edge of the raised hearth. But I think you can remove it by removing the front plate covering the air control. I would do that before pushing it back and connecting it.

Assume you have a full SS liner (ideally it's insulated). It would be a good idea to install a block off plate with Roxul insulation above it to prevent heat from getting up into the chimney. That's what is generally recommended here. And you should do that before hooking up the insert.

 

[Grisu]

In addition to the block-off plate that Dave mentioned (https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/making_a_block_off_plate/ ) you can also stuff some Roxul (available at Lowes) around the insert if the back of the fireplace goes to the outside. Kind of like here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/finally-got-around-to-insulating-my-fireplace.75755/ That will help with heat retention. If it is an interior fireplace I would NOT do it as the masonry will provide additional thermal mass and smoothen out temp swings.

Enjoy the heat!

 

[Xikar]

I inquired about this same issue while installing mine a couple months back. I was told by a couple people that they are just there to act as carrying handles during installation. Close them puppies up.

 

[Mike Wirths]

Thanks for the welcome and the info guys, much appreciated! A little background about ourselves, this is not our 1st Pacific Energy stove, back when we lived in eastern Ontario (bloody cold!) we heated our log house with a free standing Pacific super 43, it worked great! Now however we live in the mountains of northern Baja California (5000 feet elevation) so obviously our winters are not nearly so extreme, but we do get to about -8 C on occasion at night. We are totally off-grid with solar energy and our house is adobe with thick walls so it holds heat very well. We had been trying to heat with our centrally located fireplace (exactly in the middle of the house) but as you all know most of the heat is wasted and I had to burn a TON of wood every winter!! We have lots of deadfall oak to give us some superb firewood (but it takes a long time to dry). With this insert + fans I'm sure we will make a huge difference in our home! I have a couple pusher fans ordered for adjoining rooms, so hopefully we can heat our bedroom too (everything is on one level). In case anyone is interested you can see our setup here on our website (we are a astronomy B&B but also cater to nature enthusiasts) (broken link removed)

thanks!!

Mike

 

[Grisu]

At that elevation make sure your chimney is tall enough. You should consider going higher than the recommended 15 ft. Fortunately, the Summit is an easy breathing stove. I am wondering whether it is a bit overkill for your situation but you surely will not freeze the coming winters.

 

[Oregon aloha]

I am wondering whether it is a bit overkill for your situation but you surely will not freeze the coming winters.

My thought also. I don't think you'll need the fan. Once the adobe absorbs some heat, that place of yours should stay real nice and warm.

 

[Mike Wirths]

My thought also. I don't think you'll need the fan. Once the adobe absorbs some heat, that place of yours should stay real nice and warm.

Maybe it is a little overkill, but my thinking is better a little too much than not enough, plus our house is 2700 sq feet. I think yes once we get it up to a good temp it will take less to keep it there...

thanks again everyone!!

cheers

Mike