Tight Insert Installation

[thechief7373]

Good Morning Everyone,

Quick question for everyone. My parents have started using their existing insert that was installed with their house back in 1983. It is a WoodCraft non EPA insert with no fans. Dad had a chimney liner installed a couple of years ago and hooked up to the insert. I'm looking to purchase a gently used 5 year old Regency 3100 insert and swap them out for a christmas present.
First Question: Will the newer Regency supply more heat than the old Woodcraft? If there is not a major gain I can't see swapping them out.
Second Question: When the house/firplace was built there was no extra room left around the insert. There might be possibly be a max of 1"-2" of space around the insert when slid into the fireplace hole. I won't be able to hook up the chimney liner from the outside top as I won't be able to get my hands and arms through a 1 inch space. Can the liner be installed from the inside of the insert after it is slid into place by laying inside of the insert and reaching up through the exhaust hole and pulling the liner down. If so how would I secure it to the insert after I pull it gently into the exhaust hole? Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated and all opinions are welcome. Thanks everyone.

 

[WoodpileOCD]

Welcome to the hearth. You've come to the right place for answers. Not necessarily from me but there are a lot of experts here on just about every aspect. Your particular question about the lack of space happens to be something I just looked at recently and here is a link that you will find helpful. (broken link removed to http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/ffdoweltrick.htm)

As far as the heat goes. If you are talking about pure short term heat, I don't think there will be much difference, in fact the older stove may throw more heat. If you are talking about total long term heat there is no comparison. The newer stoves (I don't have any experience with the Regency) will burn hotter much longer than any of the olderer pre EPA stoves. You're burning the smoke that escapes and that is a lot of heat lost in olden days. No more loading ever 3-4 hours just to keep the stove hot.

Hope that helps.