selecting a zero clearance fireplace

[Oberon]

Good morning all,

I am looking to install a zero clearance, wood-burning fireplace in my home.

I am currently looking at five products, all of which meet the requirements of the tax rebate:

HeatnGlo Northstar
KozyHeat Z42
American Energy Systems MagnumZC
Accucraft ZMax
Quadafire 7100


I have seen all of them either installed or in show rooms except the MagnumZC and I am very curious what knowledgeable folks might have for thoughts on any (or all?) of these units? I have read reviews of all five in different places and they have ranged from no knowledge of to positive if not glowing (sorry, pun intended) reviews of the unit(s).

I was told by a couple of folks that this is the place to ask if I wanted the best return on the question investment.

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[DAKSY]

The only one I can speak to is the HnG Northstar, as we burn one in each of our showrooms.
They are heating BEARS, & when correctly installed, will heat a BIG area...
2.75 cu.ft. fire box...The glass stays clean...The blower noise is not that loud...Nice to look at...
The Quad unit is also made by HHT & I'm willing to bet it's made at the same factory
- on the SAME production line - & other than cosmetics, it's the SAME unit.
HTH

 

[woodracerx]

I just got our northstar fired up this week and have to say this unit really puts out the heat, very easy to get a fire started and to operate. You can check out my post new fireplace project if you what to see some pics.

 

[basswidow]

We replaced the heatilator gas log fireplace in our home with a:

Kozyheat Z42 - and a class A chimney flue. There are a few others on hearth.com that have this same unit.

I am completely happy with my purchase. The fan is quiet (moves alot of air and is adjustable and on a thermostat) and it puts out the heat. It has a large viewing glass. It's the best of both worlds. It has the look of a fireplace and puts out the heat of a woodstove. We have a good size house: 3700 SF. It heats our home (minus the basement and room above the garage). We burn 24/7 once the weather drops below 45 degrees (Oct - Mar) and go through 4 cords. We are in our second year and I've noticed the door gasket is alittle frayed and I bought a new one but haven't replaced it yet - the old one is still working. Fairly cheap and easy.

The fire box is brick lined top to bottom and it has heat tubes on the top to burn gases. This gives it the EPA rating and circulates the air wash to keep the glass clean. I swear - I've never seen smoke come out my chimney. It burns very effeciently. If you burn good dry wood - you won't have any trouble with keeping the glass clean.

It has only 1 control - which is the damper on the fresh air intake. Open it prior to opening the door and wait a few seconds - or you'll let smoke in the house. Load your wood, close the door, wait for it to fully take and then damper down. 4-5 logs (a full box) dampered down will be a bed of hot red coals come morning (9pm - 6 am).

We also considered the RSF Opel, but the Kozyheat was a better price and was almost an exact fit for the space we were putting it.
The Kozyheat Z42 has the option of double door or single. We prefer the single door. It also has knock outs on the top to allow ducting to other area's (like floors above or below) for better distribution of the air - but we didn't use this.

Looking at the unit, the fan brings the air in the bottom and blows it out over the top. I looked at all the ones you mentioned and for the most part they seem similar. The quadrafire 7100 looks to be the biggest. It looks good - but the vents look small. I would want to know how much volume of air it can circulate. I would also consider how you are going to finish it (stone front etc) and make sure the stove and surface are suitable for that.
Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[par0thead151]

I just got our northstar fired up this week and have to say this unit really puts out the heat, very easy to get a fire started and to operate. You can check out my post new fireplace project if you what to see some pics.

I HAVE A ENVIRO VENICE 1700.
IT HEATS MY 3000sq FOOT HOUSE FAIRLY WELL.
any temps under 15 and i need to supliment with my nat gas furnace.

it is a 2.5 cubic foot firebox. all in all i am very pleased with it thus far. i was expectingmy furnace to run half of what it normaly does without a wood stove, but it is easily doing 75-85% of the heating of my home.

 

[Got Wood]

FPX Elite 44 for me... sure does heat the house. No regrets

 

[dakotarnk]

If you are looking at any central heat options or moving the heat to other rooms, You owe it to yourself to look at the rsf opel, It has been great for me and you can have so many options.

 

[RocketMan]

I've had my Magnum ZC for over a year now, and I absolutely love it! Huge firebox, real (standard size) fire brick, heavy construction and a relatively cheap price. The 8" class A pipe does add to the installation cost. My furnace has not run at all, even when it was 45 below. I ended up having to change propane companies because they wanted to start charging me tank rental because I'm not using enough gas.

 

[basswidow]

If my propane company tries that - I will dig the tank up, hook a chain to it and drag it down the road with my truck to their shop.

 

[Oberon]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I am really excited about this purchase and I am going to be taking everyone's advice to heart when we put in the unit. And now we have a couple more options to consider.

We live in Northern Wisconsin out in the country at the very end of the electrical grid, so we are no strangers to the occiasional power outage. The fireplace will be used to provide heat (hopefully cut down on the monthly bill, in case of power failures, and for the ambiance of having the fireplace - I suspect the same reasons everyone here considered as well.

Originally we were going to put the unit on the main floor but after discussing it with my wife we are going to put it in the basement family room and run a couple of ducts to the main floor (one story with walkout basement. The basement has two bedrooms and the family room).

I really like the look of the NorthStar. It is a beautiful unit and the comments here really puts out the heat. I also like the Magnum for the price and the performance, and the Z42 6" chimney is a selling point since I will be running the pipe a good way to the top of the roof.

Decisions...............

Again, THANKS to all and to all a very Merry Christmas and terrific New Year

I will let everyone know when we have bought our new fireplace.

 

[northwinds]

How are you going to run the fan for the fireplace during a power outage?

 

[GatorDL55]

If my propane company tries that - I will dig the tank up, hook a chain to it and drag it down the road with my truck to their shop.

I pissed my pants a little after i read this cause i was laughing so hard! :snake:

 

[Oberon]

How are you going to run the fan for the fireplace during a power outage?

I am assuming that in the event of a power failure the set up will result in a natural convection current to bring heat upstairs.

The old "one-lunger" forced air furnaces worked like that (and still do for some folks) for many years, so I am trusting that the fireplace will do so as well.