what type of insert would you choose?

[Byron]

Hello. I have wavered quite a bit on what to do with the fireplace in the front part of my house, but now feel fairly certain I want to go with an insert and would really appreciate input on what type I should choose. I'm looking to heat the front part of my home (approximately 600 square feet and open), as well as get at least some of the heat to the upstairs (which is another approximately 600 square feet) where the kids' bedrooms are. I have a Hearthstone Homestead in a freestanding setup in the back of the house; however, I don't get any of its heat in the front part. I have included a photo of my fireplace and mantle, including measurements. (I didn't include this in the photo, but the depth of my fireplace is 18 3/8" and the width along the back wall is 26 1/2".) I'm not going to get rid of my mantle (soon to be painted white), which I know somewhat limits me on insert choices. I know this sounds picky, but I don't want a stove with any gold color on it. Obviously, a blower is a requirement. In addition, I want a stove with glass in the front to allow for the joy of fire viewing. I do plan to have a full liner installed in the chimney. Is there an insert out there that will meet my needs? Thanks!

 

[BossT]

I have the Enviro Meridian, it works great and fits your space. I assume lots of other inserts would work as well. One suggestion is that since we tend to spend time closer to our fireplaces, the noise level of the convection fan becomes a larger issue. All stoves advertise quiet fans but it's worth checking on before you buy.

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the reply. I looked up the Enviro Meridian and it appears to be a fine stove; however, I'm looking for something woodburning and should have noted this in my original post. Good point about fan noise.

 

[jtp10181]

I did not see if you listed the height of the mantle. Couple of measurements would come in handy. Floor to bottom of where the woodwork starts. Floor to bottom of shelf. Thickness of lower "trim" from the brick and the also the depth of the shelf from the brick.

If the mantle heights check out these two inserts would work. You could go bigger as well but it sounds like you don't need that much heat. Depends on how well insulated the house is as well, a poorly insulated house would need a larger insert.

(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/Wood_Burning/Wood_Model.asp?f=2700i)
(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/Wood_Burning/Wood_Model.asp?f=3100Iact)

Both show gold trim but that's all optional. You can get almost everything in black and then brushed nickel handles and trim around the surround panel. This models picture has the brushed nickle options.

(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/Wood_Burning/Wood_Model.asp?f=BODBAY)

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the feedback. The height from the floor to the bottom of the mantle is 50 1/4". It's 36 1/4" fom the floor to the bottom of the woodwork. It's 29 1/2" from the floor to the bottom of the shelf (assuming you mean the front opening of the fireplace cavity; otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean by "shelf.") The lower trim is 1 5/8" thick.

I checked out the Quadra-Fire 2700i, as well as the 3100, and definitely think the 2700i best suits my needs. The only clearance that doesn't work is from the top of the stove to the lowest part of the woodwork; however, I believe this can be taken care of if I fabricate a heat deflector to install at the top of the panel. Am I right about this?

Does anyone else have any stove ideas?

 

[boostnut]

Jotul sure makes nice looking units. I'm happy with mine after a few years of use. Oh, nice looking fireplace.

(broken link removed to http://www.jotul.com/en-us/wwwjotulus/Main-menu/Products/Wood/Wood-inserts/Jotul-C-450-Kennebec/)

 

[jtp10181]

I just looked at your picture full size and I see you had the measurements on there already, sorry for asking a silly question. After looking at the manuals the 2700i does not have any provisions for using a mantel deflector, and also specifies "trim" must be 3/4" or less. Often times you can consider the lower section of the woodwork as "trim" and take the "mantle" measurement from the wood shelf that sticks out. With your setup the lower part of woodwork would have to be considered mantel when taking measurements for the 2700i. So if you want to go by the manual it would be out.

The 3100i does however have reduced clearances with various mantle shields and deflectors. Also the 3100i does not specify any thicknesses for the "trim" measurements.

You may be able to reduce clearances on the 2700i with a mantle shield but its not documented in the manual. Someone (your dealer of choice) would have to call Quad technical to find out if there are any mantle shield options available that are not printed in the manual.

 

[RedRanger]

Byron: check out the handles from the replies? Many of them have vested interests. If on a budget, check out Englander, or PE, or Enviro? You will have to go by the manufactureres specs for hearth mantle clearance,but it can sometimes be shaved a bit with a mantel sheild.

 

[jtp10181]

I'm not pushing the Quad units, that's just all I know. I'm sure there are many other units that would work as well.

 

[Jimbob]

This one would fit PERFECT in that fireplace. Get it with the larger surround, and it will fill the area in front of the bricks nicely, leaving an evenly spaced exposed strip all the way around.
It also has an easy to remove baffle, which will make chimney cleaning a breeze.

(broken link removed to http://www.pacificenergy.net/product_insert_pacific.php)

 

[flewism]

I'd take a look at Napoleon inserts. I have a pair of models #1401 in 2 of my three fireplaces, they have done me well and, both are completely black with no trim color. There are many inserts fit your fireplace. At most websites you can see the insert dimensions and know which models will fit.

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I researched ALL of the suggested inserts -- and then some. I still cannot find an insert that definitely works, particularly regarding clearance to combustibles. The best bet still seems to be the Quadra-Fire 2700i. If I consider the lowest portion of my trim as the mantle (due to its profile), the top of the 2700i will be about 7" too close. I wonder if a heat deflector that would allow me to meet code is available as an option with the 2700i. If I build my own heat deflector, it's going to be more than just a simple piece of metal designed to deflect the heat (see design below). I would attach the deflector, which would protrude 4", to the surround panel, running it the entire length across the top of the panel. I can't imaging this would leave me with a stove installation that fails to meet code. I certainly want to be safe, as I value my home and life, as well as the well-being of my wife and children. I just wish there were an insert that fits my fireplace AND allows me to meet clearance-to-combustibles requirements. Is there?

 

[jtp10181]

I think if you look at the 3100i and you used the 8" deflector and the mantel shield it would just barly make it. Double check but thats what I figured the other day.

 

[Byron]

You're right, the 3100i does appear to work with the 8" deflector and mantel shield. (I didn't see a mantel shield listed as an option; is this something that you have to fabricate yourself?) The manual is not clear on measuring to side trim; is the measurement taken from the side of the "stove" portion of the insert (at 27 7/16"), or the side of the grilles/screens (at 38 7/8)? Also, there is nothing in the 3100i manual that indicates the maximum depth of the side trim; should I assume it's the same as what's listed in the 2700i manual (3 1/2" maximum depth of side trim)? Finally, Is the hearth extension measurement taken from the front of the glass, or from from the front of the fireplace? Thanks!

 

[TMonter]

I can speak to the 3100i and if you want to use it as a heater you won't be disappointed. I'm rounding out my fifth season with my 3100i and have nothing but good things to say about the stove's performance. It has a few quirks but I'm sure that's true with any stove.

 

[Byron]

I've talked to a couple of dealers and have two quotes for the 3100i in hand. One quote is for $2,300; the other is for $2,178.90 (which includes sales tax). The latter quote includes a black door, standard panel, 8" mantel deflector, and black side screens. The dealer who gave the second quote tells me the 3100i comes standard with a blower. (Is this true? I see a variable speed blower listed as an option on the literature.) Does this sound like a good deal? For those of you familiar with pricing, could I find a better deal later this spring/summer, or is this about as good as it gets for a new 3100i? Any other ideas for inserts that would fit my fireplace without altering my mantle? This is such a big investment, especially when you factor in the cost of having a full liner installed; I just want to make sure I make the BEST decision. Thanks!

 

[stanleyjohn]

Looks like your really doing your homework.It was a flip of the coin between me getting the Quadra 3100 and the Harman Exception insert!I ended up with the Harman.Mine wasnt as hard a choice to make!my fireplace has brick all the way up to the top with a slate top.The price for the Quadra looks pretty standard!I paid $3100 for mine!(stove,gold door kit,Trim panel around stove,25ft 6" flex kit plus installation.Im hoping to get mine installed next week,Waiting for the door.Hope to see some pics,ill post some myself after installation.Today i go cut somemore dead wood in my woods!so far i have about 1.5 cords stocked for next season.This is my first wood stove in many years,and just as excited as you seem to be.Again!! Best of luck! With oil $3.65 and most likely going higher keeping the house at a nice warm temp without worrying about going broke will feel real good.

 

[firebird400]

hi byron here at a local dealer about the same price blower was an option but they were incuding them with the item a speacil salesman told me

 

[dcummings]

Might check out the RSF Onyx insert. I've had mine for two winters now and it's heating all of a 2,000 two story house (albeit in Durham, NC) just fine. Might be a little more expensive than the Quadrafire (probably just about the same if you aren't counting installation). Very low emissions. Blower included. Mine take air from outside to avoid creating a draft.

Good luck,
Teflon

 

[Byron]

I've been corresponding with the dealer who gave me the least expensive price; unfortunately, I just got an e-mail that says they misspoke when they said the 3100i comes standard with a blower. The new quote -- including the optional blower -- is $2,467.65. That $2,300 quote (which includes free delivery) looks much better now. I still need to get quotes on having my chimney lined.

 

[jtp10181]

Its always best to go with a full insulated liner if possibly. Give you maximum safety, draft, and ease of cleaning. Take away the insulation and loose some safety and a little draft possibly. Take away the full liner and you loose draft and ease of cleaning.

Also FYI, the side "screens" I have been told are very ugly. We don't have them on our showroom and we never sell them. I have never actually seen them but the sales people told me they don't sell them because no one likes them.

Another FYI, the 3100i ACC is going to be coming out this summer, so if you wait you can either get the latest and greatest combustion control system OR you might be able to get a close-out price on a 3100i ACT and save some money.

 

[Byron]

I can wait. What's the difference between the ACC and ACT? Is the ACT going to replace the ACC? I saw the screens on a showroom model and prefer them to the louvers -- at least enough to not pay more for the louvers. When this summer is the new 3100 coming out? Again, I'll definitely wait if I can pick up a deal.

I will have my chimney fully lined and insulated.

 

[jtp10181]

ACC = Automatic Combustion Control
ACT - Advanced Combustion Technology

The ACC is going to eventually replace all the ACT stoves and inserts, the 3100i is going to be the "pilot" insert to get the makeover. If you want to see it in person check out the 3100 stove, the dealers should all have the ACC on their floor by now.

The difference is mostly in the air controls. The start-up air is on a timer and on the stoves you can control the "rear" air with the same lever. The primary air control is up above and has a sticker that shows less or greater air. The major improvement is the automatic start-up air, once you engage it, it closes by itself within like 30 minutes I think. Also you have greater control of the burn by being able to control the start-up air, rear air, and primary air all separately.

They also eliminated the bricks with holes in them on the stoves anyway (not sure about the insert yet), these bricks are not easy / cheap to replace. The top ceramic baffle is a two piece design which lets you remove it without taking the manifold tubes out. There's a few other improvements here and there. Basically a total rethink of the whole unit.

Not sure when its coming out exactly, it was unveiled at the HPBA show.