Target cost of fireplace insert

[jim_arnau]

Hello,

I recently acquired a cabin that I use primarily on the weekends and for vacations in Maine. I am kicking around the idea of installing a wood burning insert to supplement the oil heat. The main heatable house is about 800 sq ft, on one level. I just insulated the attic to R-49, so the place should be fairly energy efficient at this point. The house gets maintained at 45 degrees throughout the winter and I heat it up to room temp when I show up on Friday nights. It has a forced hot air / oil-burner system that currently provides all of the heat. The hearth shown below is unused during the winter and blocked up to conserve heat. The chimney is old but intact and the firebox is an open-hearth heatilator steel-walled unit, so I've been told.

My first question is, how much can I expect to spend on an insert for this size house? Can anyone suggest a cheap, attractive unit (I like the flush look). I am not heating my house year round with this thing, so I probably don't need top-of-the-line, but I would like a decent, reliable unit. Lastly, could I install an insert direct connnect, and then add the liner next year?

Thanks again,
Jim

 

[kalevi]

I had a Pacific Energy Vista Insert put in to my fireplace similar to yours. Including fireplace, block off plate, decorative panels, and installation it was $3600 Canadian. The larger insert would only have been a bit more but then I would have had to extend the hearth further to meet the firecode.

 

[jim_arnau]

So does that price include a chimney liner? I assume so, as the stove goes for about $1500 on the internet.

 

[scfa99]

make sure you're prepared to move that mantle as it may be too low as per the manfacturers specs on an insert.

 

[Harley]

Hi, Jim, and welcome

Before you jump on anything... you should have the chimney and firebox cleaned and inspected.

That being said - what is the size of the opening.... it looks pretty good size, so you probably will have a lot of options. It looks like you may need to extend the hearth or somehow add some floor protection. If you are looking to do it somewhat inexpensively, you could keep your eye on the local craigslists or other sales for a newer used inserts. The liner is not a tough job to do if you are somewhat handy, and you should be able to get a good SS flex kit for about $350-400 online, so might as well do it all at once, rather than waiting.

The Vista is a nice looking, flush insert that would probably heat the cabin fine. A local dealer was selling that in the early fall for about $1,100. If you go the used route, you could save some $, but from what I've seen... the smaller units generally don't appear too often... usually its the medium sized heaters, which would be OK for your situation as well.

And on another note... the cabin looks nice, but the large flat screen TV does not really fit in... if you like, I could PM you my address, and if you ship it to me- in return I could send you a nice 13" TV that will fit in with the "cabin theme" :cheese:

 

[kalevi]

Yes, my price included a chimney liner.

 

[kalevi]

I would go with one size larger than the vista if it will fit. The vista has a fairly small firebox and you cannot get more than about a 6 hour burn if you are really stretching things.

 

[jim_arnau]

My firebox opening is 37" x 30" or so, about the same size as my TV. haha...it was my black friday special purchase. It does look a little out of place right now but hopefully when I get done upgrading the rest of the place it will fit in.

I just had a mason in the house today to give me some perspective on the chimney. The chimney has 2 flues, one for the fireplace, one for the furnace. The liner in the furnace side is completely shot and falling down. It plugged my furnace and I have to get the jet(?) burner replaced now. So it looks like I'll be putting in a flex liner in the furnace side ASAP. Apparently the chimney was built without a trap to catch falling debris, so when these flue tiles fell, they just clogged the chimney and killed the furnace. Bumma!

On the upside the flue for the fireplace looks good, although he said it is a little too short to get a good draft. I assume I could fix that problem with an extension on the top of the flue liner??

 

[Stevebass4]

you'll need to move the tv as well

check craigslist and such - i got mine for 250.00

 

[Harley]

On the upside the flue for the fireplace looks good, although he said it is a little too short to get a good draft. I assume I could fix that problem with an extension on the top of the flue liner??

Did the mason give you any indication as to what cause one flue to completely degrade, while the other one seems fine? I'd be a little bit concerned that there might be damage to the other flue as well - but tough to tell from here when you really can't see the situation.

How tall is the chimney? And yes there should be an easy way to extend it - especially with a liner in there. What is the flue size?

 

[fayman]

I would forget the messing around and start checking Craigslist and such for a full liner and a decent (if not small) reputable brand stove. A used stove is great if you know what to look for.

So far, between very helpful siblings and neighbors (and a little physical labor), I've spent a grand total of $200 to have a Lopi Answer insert installed, burned for a year, and a new Avalon Rainier insert bought installed, all with a full stainless liner and block of plate. You just have to pay attention and have good friends!!

 

[jim_arnau]

It looks like 12"X12" by my estimation. The fireplace flue has not been used much over the years. That's the only explanation as to why the it has not degraded. All I know is that he said the fireplace side looks okay. On the furnace side, a bunch of tile material had fallen and blocked off the furnace exhaust.

 

[Hogwildz]

A firebox that size, you may be able to even get a freestanding in there. Just an option to think about.