Took the plunge today! A couple of questions about the install...

[av8roc]

My wife and I purchased our insert today after a few weeks of looking and researching on the internet.

We went with the VC Montpelier for several reasons. Here is my thread with pics/floor plan and reasons why we chose the VC...

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/45412/


My dealer is going to install the unit in 2 weeks. His method is to go for 6" round out of the stove to some sort of transition piece which converts to SS oval. They have to take custom measurements and then custom order the piece from some other company. This allows them to leave the existing damper and flue.

Does that sound OK? I asked about a block off plate and he said it wasn't necessary due to the fact that they wouldn't have to remove my existing damper and that it also sealed at the top of the chimney.

Is there any sacrifice in draw with a transition to oval liner?

Thanks

 

[Rudyjr]

Quite a bit of discussions on this site regarding the reasons to install a block off plate. I personally feel you will not get all of the heat from your insert if you skip this step, many people have found this out firsthand. I know that my 450 performs real well but I installed a block off plate when I put in the stove originally. I know that if you search this forum you will find others who have gone back and installed them due to performance issues. Good luck with your VC.

 

[Tendencies]

My Dutchwest puts out almost twice as much heat with a block off plate.. seemed like I had a draft all the time and my chimney was concreted at the top.

 

[Dix]

Sean, if you have an exterior chimney, you're way better off with a block off plate. I have a center chimney, it's not that much of an issue, as the center chimney radiates heat.

My 2 cents.

Congrats & good luck

 

[YZF1R]

Glad to hear you both made a choice! All were good suggestions. We happen to have a Montpelier and like ours.

Steve

 

[av8roc]

Sean, if you have an exterior chimney, you're way better off with a block off plate. I have a center chimney, it's not that much of an issue, as the center chimney radiates heat.

My 2 cents.

Congrats & good luck

It's not quite exterior... The chimney is inside the garage and the wall is not insulated.

Thoughts?

 

[fbelec]

for safety, put in the block off plate.

 

[Dix]

Block off plate.

IMHO.

 

[av8roc]

OK... I will ask the installer about a plate.


What about the oval liner.. any concerns about that?

 

[Jags]

No concerns about the oval, but get the block off plate. There is NO downside to a block off plate unless you WANT to loose heat.

 

[av8roc]

No concerns about the oval, but get the block off plate. There is NO downside to a block off plate unless you WANT to loose heat.

I wonder who I can have install one if the company I am buying from "doesn't do that"?

Will it be difficult to revert back to a regular fireplace if I decide to move and want to take insert with me?

 

[Jags]

No concerns about the oval, but get the block off plate. There is NO downside to a block off plate unless you WANT to loose heat.

I wonder who I can have install one if the company I am buying from "doesn't do that"?

Will it be difficult to revert back to a regular fireplace if I decide to move and want to take insert with me?

A block off plate can be a simple piece (or two) of tin, cut and fit snugly into the opening and secured. I believe there is a hearth wiki article on a DIY block off. It should not harm any of the fireplace stuff, but you may find that the installer will end up cutting into the existing damper anyways (just sayin' it could happen).

EDIT: And as a bet'in man, you will not be going back to a fireplace after the install. I got 5:1 odds on it.

 

[av8roc]

No concerns about the oval, but get the block off plate. There is NO downside to a block off plate unless you WANT to loose heat.

I wonder who I can have install one if the company I am buying from "doesn't do that"?

Will it be difficult to revert back to a regular fireplace if I decide to move and want to take insert with me?

A block off plate can be a simple piece (or two) of tin, cut and fit snugly into the opening and secured. I believe there is a hearth wiki article on a DIY block off. It should not harm any of the fireplace stuff, but you may find that the installer will end up cutting into the existing damper anyways (just sayin' it could happen).

EDIT: And as a bet'in man, you will not be going back to a fireplace after the install. I got 5:1 odds on it.

Ha! I am 100% sure I will be happy with the insert but was thinking in case we move and want to bring the insert with.

Found the DIY:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/making_a_block_off_plate/

My plan is to pick up the materials and see if I can talk the installer ($$) into making one for me.. he is coming by this weekend to take measurements and I will ask then. If not I will just make it myself but that will involve removing the existing damper which I am not quite sure how to do.

 

[Jags]

..... which I am not quite sure how to do.

4" angle head grinder and cutoff wheel.

Bribe your installer.

 

[rover47]

We had a montpelier installed about two weeks ago. I had the same discussion with the installers about the block off plate. Here is what they did. A full liner was installed. The top was sealed with insulation and then the plate and cap was put on. They then sealed the bottom with more insulation. So far the insert works great! Most likely I will install a plate come next spring. Just to keep the insulation in place. I tried the incense test and it did not suck the smoke into the fire place.

 

[av8roc]

We had a montpelier installed about two weeks ago. I had the same discussion with the installers about the block off plate. Here is what they did. A full liner was installed. The top was sealed with insulation and then the plate and cap was put on. They then sealed the bottom with more insulation. So far the insert works great! Most likely I will install a plate come next spring. Just to keep the insulation in place. I tried the incense test and it did not suck the smoke into the fire place.

Thanks Jim, glad the Montpelier is working well for you!

 

[szmaine]

A must see thread for block off plate: I remembered seeing this thread and for a change found it easily...

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/31333/