Regency 2700 vs Lopi

[MAwoodinsert]

Hi all- we are located near Boston, MA and are considering getting a wood burning insert for our fireplace. We've been quoted ~10K all told for a regency 2700 insert installed with a steel liner and ceramic blanket. They also offered the lopi medium flush (but haven't gotten a quote for that). For context our home is ~1800sqft with a 1000sqft open concept room with the fireplace and bedrooms upstairs.

Goal is to use this insert to provide heat during wonder months and supplement our has heat. I doubt we will ever "make money" on the insert since the upfront cost is so high, but we love having a fire and at least this will make it safer and more efficient.

Questions for you:
1. Any meaningful difference between the regency and lopi? Looks like cost and size of the firebox are the main ones but I think regency is cheaper and works for our size of house?

2. Do we need a ceramic blanket? Seems to add a lot of cost and reddit is mixed on it's utility

3. Is 10K for the insert and installation reasonable?

 

[begreen]

They are both good inserts. Due to their flush nature, both will need the blower running at least on low speed, in order convect heat well. Both inserts are E/W loader of ~2 cu ft capacity.

By ceramic blanket, are you referring to insulating the liner? In most cases this is required by code. Do you know what the ID is of the fireplace's chimney tiles? Is this an interior or exterior wall chimney?

The price sounds reasonable by today's standards. Inflation has hit stove prices hard since the pandemic.

 

[MAwoodinsert]

Thanks for your reply here and in the other thread (thought this one has been deleted)

Yes insulating the liner. I don't think it's required because I got another quote without it. I'm not sure what you mean by ID of the tiles but the chimney is interior

And thanks- I figured as much since it was 2-3K off quotes I saw in other threads from a couple years ago but figured I should check

 

[begreen]

Often quotes are given with the attempt to be the lowest, and therefore most attractive bid. That usually means cutting corners. In most cases, an insulated liner is required by code, though some installers will feign ignorance of this. Another place where money is saved is in the quality of the liner. There are some big differences between different liners, both in construction and in wall thickness. A medium or heavy duty liner is going to last longer, but will cost more.