We have a non-EPA wood stove in our basement family room that we have decided to get rid of and replace with either a gas stove or fireplace. We converted our upstairs livingroom fireplace to gas 2 years ago with a Napoleon direct-vent insert and we love it. But the problem is that when we have the fireplace on upstairs, the furnace doesn't kick on and the basement gets cold! We're in the Denver metro area and can't burn wood on "red" days of which there are quite a few. Besides, gas is SO much easier and cleaner so it's time for the old stove to go. We're trying to decide what to replace it with.
The wood stove sits on a large raised brick hearth in a recessed area that is like a fireplace. The "nook" that it sits in is 47" wide, 25.5" deep and 62" high. The raised hearth extends another 15" or so out from the nook. The whole recessed area is bricked. Our first choice would probably be a gas fireplace, but with the 62" height of the opening, we're not sure that is an option without some major reconstruction. A stove of course would fit right in the existing space with no modifications necessary. Cost is not our primary factor, but it is a factor.
Any thoughts about our possible options would be greatly appreciated. Are there any inserts or fireplaces available that would fit a 5' tall opening? Also, any recommendations for gas stoves would also be appreciated since they are new territory for us. The basement family room is around 500 square feet, but there are two fans that disperse heat from that room to the living room on the floor above as well as to a bedroom 1.5 floors above (the house is a tri-level with a basement). Our Napoleon insert upstairs is only 24,000 BTU but heats the main floor very adequately and so I'm guessing someting comparably sized in the basement would be about right.
Thanks in advance for any and all comments.
The wood stove sits on a large raised brick hearth in a recessed area that is like a fireplace. The "nook" that it sits in is 47" wide, 25.5" deep and 62" high. The raised hearth extends another 15" or so out from the nook. The whole recessed area is bricked. Our first choice would probably be a gas fireplace, but with the 62" height of the opening, we're not sure that is an option without some major reconstruction. A stove of course would fit right in the existing space with no modifications necessary. Cost is not our primary factor, but it is a factor.
Any thoughts about our possible options would be greatly appreciated. Are there any inserts or fireplaces available that would fit a 5' tall opening? Also, any recommendations for gas stoves would also be appreciated since they are new territory for us. The basement family room is around 500 square feet, but there are two fans that disperse heat from that room to the living room on the floor above as well as to a bedroom 1.5 floors above (the house is a tri-level with a basement). Our Napoleon insert upstairs is only 24,000 BTU but heats the main floor very adequately and so I'm guessing someting comparably sized in the basement would be about right.
Thanks in advance for any and all comments.
