Hi All - Just found this forum and am hoping to get some advice and information.
We had a ranch house that we added a second floor to several years ago. It had a fireplace with brick chimney but when we did the remodel we thought we were eventually going to install a gas insert with a direct vent so we did not have the chimney extended up to the roof. Instead they leveled it off and added a small roof on top. So we still have the fireplace in the living room. I am attaching pictures. For measurements the existing brick chimney is 67" wide and 2' deep. From the concrete to the roof is approximately 30'. The existing brick is 4.5' tall.
About a month ago we were without heat for a little bit but thankfully it was not that cold. It got us to thinking that we really need a backup for if power/gas stops for any period of time in the winter (We live in Massachusetts and this past week was extremely cold outside). Based on that we started looking at wood inserts. I am getting conflicting information from two dealers in the area. Combining the information it seems there are three options. I wanted to get some outside opinions from people who are more knowledgeable on this than me on the pros/cons and if what they are saying is accurate. Also if there are any suggestions on other options that would work that would be great to hear.
Option 1 - Replace the chimney. Seems the most logical but also going to be the most expensive. Given this would primarily be for backup we aren't sure we want to go through on the expense of this. One mason I spoke to quoted 22k to bring it down to the concrete base and then build an entire new brick chimney. That doesn't include the cost of the insert and installation.
Option 2 - Build a wood box similar to a chimney and then run an insulated vent pipe through that to the roof.
Option 3 - Install a stainless steel vent pipe called a "Class A" Vent pipe?? (I believe that is what it is called) that can go on the outside of a building against combustable materials as its insulated. I am attaching a picture of what I believe this is. They said the combustable roof on top of the chimney currently installed would need to be removed and then replaced by a mason with a non-combustable one and then they could run the pipe up the side of the house. Although this is visually the worst option, it is on a side of the house not really seen so its not a huge concern. One of the dealers said he has never done it before but its definitely possible. The other dealer said it's not possible to do this.
Thank you in advance for any options and advice you can provide. We are not in a huge rush on this so we want to make sure to do something that is safe and will work.
![[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/img_0910-webp.290329/ "[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question")
![[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/img_0545-webp.290330/ "[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question")
![[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/class-a-pipe-webp.290331/ "[Hearth.com] Wood Insert - Vent Question")
We had a ranch house that we added a second floor to several years ago. It had a fireplace with brick chimney but when we did the remodel we thought we were eventually going to install a gas insert with a direct vent so we did not have the chimney extended up to the roof. Instead they leveled it off and added a small roof on top. So we still have the fireplace in the living room. I am attaching pictures. For measurements the existing brick chimney is 67" wide and 2' deep. From the concrete to the roof is approximately 30'. The existing brick is 4.5' tall.
About a month ago we were without heat for a little bit but thankfully it was not that cold. It got us to thinking that we really need a backup for if power/gas stops for any period of time in the winter (We live in Massachusetts and this past week was extremely cold outside). Based on that we started looking at wood inserts. I am getting conflicting information from two dealers in the area. Combining the information it seems there are three options. I wanted to get some outside opinions from people who are more knowledgeable on this than me on the pros/cons and if what they are saying is accurate. Also if there are any suggestions on other options that would work that would be great to hear.
Option 1 - Replace the chimney. Seems the most logical but also going to be the most expensive. Given this would primarily be for backup we aren't sure we want to go through on the expense of this. One mason I spoke to quoted 22k to bring it down to the concrete base and then build an entire new brick chimney. That doesn't include the cost of the insert and installation.
Option 2 - Build a wood box similar to a chimney and then run an insulated vent pipe through that to the roof.
Option 3 - Install a stainless steel vent pipe called a "Class A" Vent pipe?? (I believe that is what it is called) that can go on the outside of a building against combustable materials as its insulated. I am attaching a picture of what I believe this is. They said the combustable roof on top of the chimney currently installed would need to be removed and then replaced by a mason with a non-combustable one and then they could run the pipe up the side of the house. Although this is visually the worst option, it is on a side of the house not really seen so its not a huge concern. One of the dealers said he has never done it before but its definitely possible. The other dealer said it's not possible to do this.
Thank you in advance for any options and advice you can provide. We are not in a huge rush on this so we want to make sure to do something that is safe and will work.
