Regency 2450 versus CI2700/HI500

[discobiscuit]

Happy to have found this nice little corner of the internet. I've done some browsing and have not found my answer so I'm hoping some of you can help provide guidance. Mainly/TLDR - are the CI2700/HI500 meant to be run often/hot as a main heat source and will they overheat smaller rooms? If so, HI2450 is going to be my choice.

Longer version
I'm familiar with the Regency HI1150. Lived in a house with one and fell in love with that little insert in the evening and that it supplemented the heat from Sept/Oct-April. Now that I have a new house one of the first things I want to do is get an insert in my fireplace. My house is small(1600 square feet) and my fireplace is huge(48x31)....which eliminates the small inserts unless I want an oddly big backing plate.

We are leaning toward the Medium HI2450. However, we dislike how the medium inserts aren't flush(we know the benefits of this). We much prefer the look of the CI2700 and HI500, but think it may be too much for what we want(evening enjoyment and some heat bill supplement)

Before we move forward with the medium I was wondering if anyone can address the reasons I'm not entertaining the CI2700/HI500.

• The CI2700 and HI500 - these are meant to be run hot/often and not just for the evening fire
• Smaller house/living room - don't want to be in our bathing suit
• Cat - extra part/issue to deal with
• We are not planning to run it as a main heat source
• Primarily using the insert as evening enjoyment

As I said, we much prefer the looks of the CI2700 and HI500 but feel like we won't be using them the right way/take full advantage of them. Any owners or experts able to chime in before we make the decision(and large investment)? Will we not be overheated with the larger inserts?! Should i not be worried about the cat?

Thanks!

 

[begreen]

Is Regency the only brand available in your area? There are other non-cat options like the VC Montpelier, Quadrafire Expedition II, Pacific Energy Neo 2.5 or Alderlea T5, Osburn Matrix, etc. that would be fine for evening fires.

 

[discobiscuit]

Is Regency the only brand available in your area? There are other non-cat options like the VC Montpelier, Quadrafire Expedition II, Pacific Energy Neo 2.5 or Alderlea T5, Osburn Matrix, etc. that would be fine for evening fires.

The longstanding Chimney/Fireplace store I used for masonry work installs Regency and BlazeKing. They say they stopped doing VC inserts due to issues. I'm just familiar with Regency so I was mostly looking at them. They limit inserts as they mostly install stoves or gas inserts.

After your post I found another fireplace store that has more options and some of the ones you mention that I'm evaluating. Thanks!

 

[abbyandjake]

The longstanding Chimney/Fireplace store I used for masonry work installs Regency and BlazeKing. They say they stopped doing VC inserts due to issues. I'm just familiar with Regency so I was mostly looking at them. They limit inserts as they mostly install stoves or gas inserts.

After your post I found another fireplace store that has more options and some of the ones you mention that I'm evaluating. Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the form and was wondering on what you decided Discobiscuit? We are looking at the Regency Ci2700 and Quadrafire Expedition II? We moved into a home this summer and my wife really likes the look of the flush mount inserts. We currently have a fireplace, but want to have an insert put in before the winter to help offset the oil costs. Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[Patti R]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the form and was wondering on what you decided Discobiscuit? We are looking at the Regency Ci2700 and Quadrafire Expedition II? We moved into a home this summer and my wife really likes the look of the flush mount inserts. We currently have a fireplace, but want to have an insert put in before the winter to help offset the oil costs. Any advice is much appreciated!

WATCHING

Like abbyandjake, I am brand new to the forum, and also choosing between Ci2700 and Expedition II. I have had a regular WBFP for years, and tired of heat going straight out the chimney!

Would also be interested on how hard/easy it is to start and regulate fire and heat output. The Regency is about 30% more expensive, and has a smaller viewing area, but seems to have more bells and whistles and a bit slicker on looks. Just wonder if it is worth the additional $$$$.

 

[clancey]

Abby and Jake..Both those stoves that you picked out are very nice...I do not know much about stoves but there are people who will come on and help you with your decision making...I got some prints of the pretty inserts for people to review but most of these people pretty much know a lot of these stoves by experience--not me---lol old mrs clancey

Ci2700 Contemporary Wood Burning Insert by Regency

The Regency Pro-Series CI2700 is a large contemporary catalytic wood insert enabling up to an astonishing 14 hours of burn time and 86% efficiency.

www.regency-fire.com

(broken link removed)