What zero-clearance fireplace should I select.

[Minnesota Marty]

I am building my retirement home. Approx. 2000 sq. ft on one level. Lower level finished for the kids that have not yet left home. R-25 walls,R-50 ceiling and R-20 foundation insulation. High performance windows but alot of them. In floor heat both levels. Should be easy to heat with the natural gas fired NTI condensing boiler.
In my previous home had a BIS zero clearance unit. That home was huge 4800 sq. ft. two story. On the shoulder seasons Mid-October/ Mid-November and Mid-March to end of April the BIS usually was nice about taking the chill off for the night.
I like cutting wood, have access to Oak, Maple and Cherry. So, the burning of wood is part of our lifestyle.
I am looking at two different zero clearance units.
The first one is the Silhouette from Energy King Model 2800 EPA exempt my cost less chimney is $3882.00
The second is the Napoleon Model NZ6000 EPA exempt my cost less chimney is $5149.00
Chimney Chase cap is $290, Installation is $800 either unit, Excel chimney 6" x 48" = $210.00
I am looking for any other suggestions for other units. I do want to stay with the EPA exempt. I just find them easier to operate. (can't teach an old dog new tricks)
I am interested in the opinions of the knowledge on this forum.

 

[begreen]

For a new tightly insulated home you are overshooting on size especially with the Napoleon. I would stay at 3 cu ft or less.

 

[overnight burn]

I would go with the Regency fp90 or ex 90

 

[aansorge]

For a new tightly insulated home you are overshooting on size especially with the Napoleon. I would stay at 3 cu ft or less.

We're talking minnesota here! Bigger is fine. Do get an optional blowe that can route some heat down to the basement as that is a nice option.

I have an enerzone 2.5 zc with that option and it is nice to be able to heat up the basement when needed.

 

[begreen]

Big is not always better when it's over the top. IMO, an almost 5 cu ft heater like the NZ6000 in this application would be serious overkill and inappropriate sizing for a new, tightly insulated 2000 sq ft home in Minn or even AK. The Enerzone at half the size would probably do the job.

Marty, do you know what the btu output rating of your boiler is or do you know what the heat loss calculation is?

 

[Minnesota Marty]

Big is not always better when it's over the top. IMO, an almost 5 cu ft heater like the NZ6000 in this application would be serious overkill and inappropriate sizing for a new, tightly insulated 2000 sq ft home in Minn or even AK. The Enerzone at half the size would probably do the job.

Marty, do you know what the btu output rating of your boiler is or do you know what the heat loss calculation is?

 

[Minnesota Marty]

begreen,
The boiler is 205k Btu Nat. gas. I would have to dig out the heat loss calculation. We are heating both levels of 2000 sq. ft. each. Plus, we will heat the garage which is 28'x26'. I am also considering having the boiler heat the hot water for the house, it has the capacity to do that. My HVAC sub did the heat loss calculation. I expect the house to have a HERS rating of about 60 when we are finished.
So, the zc fireplace is shoulder season only and for snuggle time with the Mrs. She loves a fireplace. My thought was that the NZ6000 was too big. Heck we don't want to burn wood and have to open the windows because its too hot.
I am going to visit a few other local shops to see what is available, just to satisfy my curiosity. I am a past Energy king customer when I had my shop which I heated with their boiler which performed very well. My chimney guy is a Energy king dealer so I am thinking one hand washes the other.

Overnight burn. I will check out the Regency unit see if it something for me. I appreciate any and all input - so thanks

 

[begreen]

Hmmm, so this is a 4000 sq ft home, not 2000 sq ft.? That is a different equation entirely if the goal is to heat both floors with wood. If not and the fireplace is just an area heater then the smallest Napoleon, a BIS Tradition would suffice. You might also look at the Valcourt FP10 Lafayette and the Pacific Energy FP30. You will be able to duct some of the heat from these units to other parts of the house for more even heating.

 

[Minnesota Marty]

Hmmm, so this is a 4000 sq ft home, not 2000 sq ft.? That is a different equation entirely if the goal is to heat both floors with wood. If not and the fireplace is just an area heater then the smallest Napoleon, a BIS Tradition would suffice. You might also look at the Valcourt FP10 Lafayette and the Pacific Energy FP30. You will be able to duct some of the heat from these units to other parts of the house for more even heating.

Update: Spent some time during this extremely cold time to visit some of the suppliers and have narrowed things down to the Valcourt FP10 Lafayette and the BIS Ultra. Both are priced within a couple hundred of each other. Going to bring the Mrs. with me on Saturday to make the final decision. Personally, I like the Valcourt with the single door. Just a cleaner look.
Begreen - you are correct the options available for additional ducting can really make the unit a heating machine as well as being visually very appealing.

 

[Dieselhead]

Did you look at the 6000's smaller twin, the 3000?

 

[Minnesota Marty]

Did you look at the 6000's smaller twin, the 3000?

Dieselhead, not yet I plan on going on Saturday to take a look at the 3000. That dealer is a little bit of a truck to go to. So, Saturday is the plan.

 

[begreen]

Reports indicate that Napoleon seems to have an issue with the big heavy doors and the hinges. I can't say whether this will be an issue, but it's something to check out when looking.

 

[Dieselhead]

Updated hinge kit solved that issue years ago

 

[Minnesota Marty]

Just an update we did decide to go with the Valcourt FP10 Lafayette ZC unit. The Mrs. likes the look as do I. We like the price and we saw it burn in the dealers showroom. I will be installing in the next few weeks and will post updates with photos for all to witness and enjoy.
Thanks all for the input. It was helpful.

 

[m159267]

Just an update we did decide to go with the Valcourt FP10 Lafayette ZC unit. The Mrs. likes the look as do I. We like the price and we saw it burn in the dealers showroom. I will be installing in the next few weeks and will post updates with photos for all to witness and enjoy.
Thanks all for the input. It was helpful.

The Mrs. and I also just purchased the Valcourt FP10. The install date has not been set. We were really drawn to the single door and the beautiful sight of the burning secondaries. I will be interested in your updates. We will be tearing out a contractor-grade Majestic. Our houses sound similar in size & efficiency.