replace insert

[kjb]

I have a 20 y/o vermont casting winter warm insert in need of replacement. It has a 8 inch vent to a fully lined chimney. I have looked at pacific energy summit insert,hearthstone and others that use a 6 inch vent. The cost of replacing the lining is alot. I have found a Lennox Hearth insert that uses 8 inch. Can I simply install that and save the expense of a new liner? I've been told by one installer that due to code (i am in maryland) the lining should be replaced. Any thoughts?? thanks,kjb

 

[Pallet Pete]

Welcome kjb to the forums !

I would first have an inspection done before you do anything at all. Second how much space are you heating ? Insulated or not ? Full time or part time heat ? dry wood ( 1 year - 2 years split and stacked ) ? Current EPA stoves thrive on dry wood ! Can you put up a few pics of the chimney liner and stove setup for us stove geeks to see ? We love pics here

Pete

 

[begreen]

How tall is the chimney? The Summit or other insert may work ok if the liner is long enough and even better if it's insulated.

 

[kjb]

Thank you all. I am having inspection in the morning and will add more information. As of now I like the PE Summit insert b/c of all the terrific reviews and I have a dealer close by. NOt impressed with reviews of Hearthstone of Hampton. I still come back to the Lennox C 310 but the reviews are scarce and the support system appears to be weak. Closest dealer is 50 miles and they don't have floor models and really cannot answer basic questions. Can anyone tell me if the fan noise on the the PE Summit has been addressed in past couple of years. It seems to be a constant complaint. It blows at 160 cfm. The Lennox at much higher.....does that make the Lennox even louder??

 

[begreen]

The PE Summit blower should not be an issue. It is pretty reasonable when run at low and medium speeds. This insert convects pretty well naturally so there often is no need to run the fan on high.

 

[Beech nut]

The PE Summit blower should not be an issue. It is pretty reasonable when run at low and medium speeds. This insert convects pretty well naturally so there often is no need to run the fan on high.

Have you looked into the osburn 2400 ? It sounds like a great insert
As well.

 

[kjb]

Have you looked into the osburn 2400 ? It sounds like a great insert
As well.

thank you! I have not heard of it but the reviews look very good and the price is considerably less. Do you know if the electric cord can be swithed to the left side (a must) and if the door can be reversed (not mandatory but would be nice). Looks like a very good insert! thanks,ken

 

[Beech nut]

I think both the door and blower can be switched around. Let me know which stove you
Decide on as I'm struggling between the two stoves. They are really close in size and
Features and I can't really find a clear cut winner between the two.

 

[kjb]

I think both the door and blower can be switched around. Let me know which stove you
Decide on as I'm struggling between the two stoves. They are really close in size and
Features and I can't really find a clear cut winner between the two.

 

[kjb]

according to manual the osburn door cannot be changed. No mention of the cord. I will be calling some stores tomorrow that carry both models and inquire. Closest Osburn dealer to me is 100 miles but reviews are great and it ships tax free and no delivery fee. Also has excellent reviews concerning warranty. I just hope someone close by knows how to deal with any problems that may arise. Lots of Pacific Energy dealers around. I still want to look into the Lennox C 130. So much info out there! This site has been terrific and I appreciate the feedback thus far.

 

[DKranger22]

I still come back to the Lennox C 310 but the reviews are scarce and the support system appears to be weak. Closest dealer is 50 miles and they don't have floor models and really cannot answer basic questions

I am about to pull the trigger on a Lennox C310. Much like you, I got cold feet due to the lack of feedback on this forum for this particular insert. But, the little feedback that I did receive told me that the Lennox C310 is a beast. I wouldn't be so quick to let the small following sway you from considering it. There are only a handful of 3.0+ CF inserts available, and most are very well thought of here. The PE summit being one of them, the Osburn 2400 another, and the Lennox C310 should be considered in this company, too. I think the Lennox name has scared some of the faithful following away. But at the end of the day, Lennox hasn't changed anything but the badging on this stove since the Country days (even the old Country badge still comes with the stove if you desire). I like the fact that this stove sits out on the hearth and gives you a cooktop option, plus additional radiant heat. And in my opinion, this is the best looking and one of the better built large stoves out there. I'm going to be jumping off of the Lennox cliff soon,and I'll keep the forum apprised of my results.

 

[CT-Mike]

My Lopi Freedom with its 2.9 cu ft firebox is in the middle of its 5th season and has served me very well. You may want to give it a look.

 

[HaTaX]

Is the Blaze King Princess insert in the same running as the other stoves listed? I know it's a cat stove, but it looks to give 20+ hour burn times on low and I'd assume you could get some reasonable heat out of it on high. The PE Summit was what I was leaning towards for non-cat stoves while figuring out the right replacement to pick up this year. My stove has got about a decade more on yours and is still quite serviceable, but the ease of use and burn times have really drawn me to the BK Princess insert.

I'll be watching this thread as I'm curious to see where you end up, my purchase will probably wait till spring when demand is a bit less. All of the stoves besides the Lennox (as mentioned before) have been praised here so I think you'll be hard pressed to end up with a clunker.

 

[Redlegs]

+1 on the Osburn 2400. I love mine so far. It throws great heat, and the price is right.

A friend of mine installed a Lopi Freeddom insert and I could recommend one of those as well. Its a real handsome unit, and really throws some heat.

 

[kjb]

I am about to pull the trigger on a Lennox C310. Much like you, I got cold feet due to the lack of feedback on this forum for this particular insert. But, the little feedback that I did receive told me that the Lennox C310 is a beast. I wouldn't be so quick to let the small following sway you from considering it. There are only a handful of 3.0+ CF inserts available, and most are very well thought of here. The PE summit being one of them, the Osburn 2400 another, and the Lennox C310 should be considered in this company, too. I think the Lennox name has scared some of the faithful following away. But at the end of the day, Lennox hasn't changed anything but the badging on this stove since the Country days (even the old Country badge still comes with the stove if you desire). I like the fact that this stove sits out on the hearth and gives you a cooktop option, plus additional radiant heat. And in my opinion, this is the best looking and one of the better built large stoves out there. I'm going to be jumping off of the Lennox cliff soon,and I'll keep the forum apprised of my results.

 

[kjb]

I have it down to the Lennox and the Osburn which come in about a $1000 cheaper than the PE Summit due to tax and delivery charges. I've been on the phone for over 30 minutes trying to get through to tech support aat Lennox and it's frustrating to say the least. They are overwhelmed apparently due to the blizzard. If I get the Lennox and don't need to change my 8" lining that is presently in place I will save another grand! I do read great things about the Osburn. I must have the blower cord on the left side and can you believe how difficult it is to get a simple answer to this question. None of the photos show the cord in any of the brochures! Interesting!! I have gotten great advice from dynamite.com and the prices can't be beat. To the guy who recommended them to me on this site...thank you ken

 

[HaTaX]

One other thing to consider with the 8" liner that's currently in place, if it's in good shape and even better insulated, then you should be able to easily slip a 6" flexible liner down the existing 8". I've seen non-insulated flex kits on the cheap side at $300 for a 20' and $400 for a 35' (Northern Tool), you probably wouldn't need to insulate it since you're going up an existing liner and I'd assume the install would be fairly easy since you'd just be following the inside of the existing liner.

Just thought I'd throw that out there, I saw some wildly varying prices and quality of liners when asking local shops and online stores.

I looked over some Osburn manuals and couldn't find any info about cord exit side for the blower, odd that they would leave that info out...

 

[kjb]

I am aware of snaking a 6 inch liner down the 8. I just don't know what's going on precisely as it's still attached to the VC insert. My usual chimney sweep is coming tomorrow and I expect to have all my questions answered and hopefully can order a new stove and actually get to use it before spring. Thanks! This site really is excellent!!

 

[Redlegs]

I just called Osburn and the powercord can only be run from the right hand side. On my Osburn 2400 blower, the two fans are on the left, but I think that's because the welded in ducting the fans mate up with is right behind then on the left also.

 

[kingquad]

Sorry I may have missed this, but how much space are you trying to heat? Can you describe your previous setup?

 

[kjb]

I have a 4300 2 level home but the stove is not meant as primary heat. Have Vermont Castings Winter Warm which is junk. Just had a deal come my way of a 2 yr old regency i3100 for less than half price. Now looking for reviews.

 

[mellow]

If you already have an 8" liner I would be looking at getting the Buck Model 91 insert if it will fit in your fireplace, that will give you quite a bit of supplementary heat for that 4300 sq ft.

(broken link removed to https://www.buckstove.com/wood/model91.html)

 

[DKranger22]

I have it down to the Lennox and the Osburn which come in about a $1000 cheaper than the PE Summit due to tax and delivery charges. I've been on the phone for over 30 minutes trying to get through to tech support aat Lennox and it's frustrating to say the least. They are overwhelmed apparently due to the blizzard. If I get the Lennox and don't need to change my 8" lining that is presently in place I will save another grand! I do read great things about the Osburn. I must have the blower cord on the left side and can you believe how difficult it is to get a simple answer to this question. None of the photos show the cord in any of the brochures! Interesting!! I have gotten great advice from dynamite.com and the prices can't be beat. To the guy who recommended them to me on this site...thank you ken

Curious to know what you were quoted on the Lennox through Dynamite Buys...

 

[begreen]

I have a 4300 2 level home but the stove is not meant as primary heat. Have Vermont Castings Winter Warm which is junk. Just had a deal come my way of a 2 yr old regency i3100 for less than half price. Now looking for reviews.

The Regency is a good insert. Not flashy, just a good simple performer.

 

[kjb]

osburn 2400 in black with x-large surround quoted $2379 Lennox C310 with same is $2499. I like what I see of both of them. Looks like my existing liner is non insulated and flex. I'm going to replace. Very expensive but I want this done correctly and once. Still looking at Regency is the price is right. would not be my first choice if I were buying new. Ironically it has the cord on the left as well as the door handle. Just might be fate that this is the one meant for me! At over a $1000 savings I just have to go with this one although I've seen some scary reviews. Seems like drafts are an issue for some people. I hope it's due to poor installation and not the stove.