Will an insert heat us out of the room?

[vetrano]

I'm seriously considering installing a wood insert in our main floor family room and one of my concerns is that the heat from the insert may drive us out of the room. I want to get some opinions to determine if there is merit to this concern.

We will still use our furnace as the primary source of heat, but the insert will provide supplementary heat and ambiance (possibly reducing the load on the furnace and allowing us to turn down the temperature while the insert is in use). Currently I see us using it some evenings and weekends as I don't think loading it in the morning is realistic.

I included a sketch the main floor. All ceilings are 8 feet high. The room is about 200 sq ft but has two open doorways to the adjacent kitchen and hall way. There is an open staircase in the hallway which I would think will allow some heat to rise to the second floor. Each floor is about 1400 sq ft.

We are leaning towards a flush style insert, but are still just identifying models that will fit. The current fireplace has the following approximate dimensions:
32" wide at front
25" wide at back
21" deep
23.25" high (front opening is the lowest point)

Any comments and suggestions are appreciated. My thoughts are determine if an insert is feasible and if so start collecting wood this spring. Possible installation this summer or next. From my reading here I realize the wood may not be fully seasoned for next winter, but you need to start somewhere.

 

[dougand3]

I doubt a small insert would run you out. Depends on if you like wood heat feel. We have a stove in a masonry FP, in a 250sf great room. Near stove is 100*F and far end of room is 78*F. And it feels marvelous when 28*F outside.

 

[countybrown]

Since you're talking about an insert, obviously there is already a fireplace in that room. What is your experience with how warm the room gets with a fire in your current setup? Obviously the insert is going to give you much more heat into the room rather than loss up the chimney.

With that being said, your comfort and temperature are going to be influenced by a few things. You can adjust the size of the fire you build and you can also use a fan or two to push the air around the rest of the house.
Your choice in freestanding or insert will also affect your heat output.

I really would not rule out installing an insert or stove for fear of the temps getting too high. Just be realistic and specific about what your expectations are going to be.

 

[Hogwildz]

Seems like a fairly open floor plan. But a 8' ceilings and a medium sized room, tough decisions.
Is there a ceiling fan in the room to disperse and create air flow?
One factor is, in planning, if you decide you want more than occasional & ambiance heat, but get a smaller or medium sized insert, you may end up regretting not getting a large.
As far as heating you out of the room, you have some openings and would depend on if a good convection loop was established. Ceiling fan may help with this.
Truly flush inserts don't toss out the heated air as much as one that extends out some or alot. Fan is a must if you decide you want to get the most heated air from the insert. Also depends on the insert size.
In your situation, maybe a Blaze King princess for lower burns, which you could adjust for higher output if wanted. Only problem there, is there won't be much ambiance at low burns, but maybe a happy medium with some view with a more medium burn.
Contrary to what some may say, a non-cat can be burned with smaller loads while still burning cleanly and efficiently, even the larger sizes.

You have time to research, pick 3 you're interested in, and meet your wants & needs most. Then research more, and narrow it down.
I always say get more than you think you need, cause if you need it, you have it.
A smaller stove that handles a good portion or most of the load, may be okay, but like this winter & last winter, with these sub zero temps, having the extra heating capacity is a relief for many. For those that don't have it, they are getting all they can and nothing left in the tank for added oompf.

I think the main thing to think about is if your wants, needs and expectations will become more than you originally plan.
If you fall in love with it, like most of us, you're insert may become your primary source of heat, with the furnace or boiler becoming the supplemental or back up heat.
The love of type the heat, and the wood burning life style, not to mention the cash savings, may convert you whether you plan on it or not.
On the other hand, you may decide the work involved is not to your liking.
There truly is not heat like wood heat, it is just so different than any other heat. Addictive!
These are things to ponder.

 

[begreen]

Based on the sq. ftg. one would want a large insert. How large are the two openings to the family room? I'm thinking that if you can set a fan, on the floor somewhere in the kitchen along that bottom wall and point it toward the stove room then you will set up a good convective flow that will cool the stove room andit will help pull the heat out to replace the cooler air.

 

[prezes13]

I agree with Hogwildz on a BK princess. However as a flush insert owner I disagree with him on getting one. With all due respect. Flush inserts look great no question that's why I got mine. If you really think that you are going to use it for ambience and little supplement for your furnace it may not be a bad idea. That's how I end up with mine. But now after two years or almost three I want to use the stove all the time. So needles to say I am planing on selling my insert and buying a princess. My stove heats the house great, but because of its shallow box it's almost imposible to get a full advantage of its 2.2 cf fire box. Therefore shorter burn times. A lot of time we are gone for 10 or even more hours that's why I WANT the princess.

 

[Fsappo]

Its only going to heat by as much wood is loaded in the firebox. With inserts, I almost always suggest getting something with a big view. Especially if someone mentions ambiance. Only because I have experience with this product line, it was the first I checked:
(broken link removed to http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/store/wood-products/wood-inserts/clydesdale-wood-insert)
Looks like it will just snug right in there. It has an adjustable faceplate so you can just about get that flush look. Large glass, smooth even heat. And in my opinion is very classy looking. Overnight burns can be had as well.

 

[prezes13]

Clyde is a nice looking insert. How deep is the box?

 

[KB007]

It'll be the warmest, most used room in the house in the winter. I presume there are windows? If it gets too hot, open them. Our LR is about 360sqft and in the winter, when outside is below -10C, the LR cruises between 68 first thing and 85 with a major load going.

Don't like flush inserts myself, think part of the charm of an insert is being able to see some of the stove.

Def get a blower, that's another way to moderate the heat, if it is too hot, I just turn off the blower. Shoulder season can get a bit wonky, but I'd rather have the LR hot than no heat or use the furnace.

Lastly, get as big an insert as you can - as the saying goes, you can always build a smaller fire in a big firebox, but you can't do the opposite.

 

[begreen]

I think with decent convection the stove room will not overheat. It will be warmer, but not candle melting warmer.

 

[Fsappo]

not candle melting warmer

so much for the hot wax fetish parties.

 

[begreen]

Well, there's always the sauna.

 

[mstoelton]

You can get it candle melting hot with a clyde. Oh yea Baby!

 

[vetrano]

What a great community this is! Ask a question and get responses from so many people so quickly.

I think you have given me confidence that although the room may get warm, it will still be usable. It also sounds like I can try to control the heat output to a degree by the amount of wood used and the air settings.

From my reading here I think I want the largest insert that physically fits in our fireplace and that we like the look of.

I have read about using fans to move the heat and I'm thinking a fan blowing cool kitchen air into the room will hopefully push warm air into the hall and upstairs. We also have a return vent in the room (wall opposite to the fireplace) which will pull air out of that room.

I'll start a new thread when I narrow down my choices and speak to some dealers. I also may have some questions on modifying the hearth, but we need to decide on the insert and style we want first.

 

[Wood Duck]

I personally would not worry about too much heat. If it gets a little too warm use a fan to blow cool air into the room, which will push hot air out.