Wood stove insert with large surround

[bk16]

I've been looking for a wood stove insert for the past few weeks and found the forum (and quickly lost four hours in exploration). I'm looking for an efficient insert that will fit my nearly square large fireplace.

Fireplace is 36 inches wide x 33.5 inches tall x 20 inches deep (pictures below) and is on the first floor (1000 sq ft) of a 3000 sq ft. 3-story 1920s tudor outside of Boston (with not excellent insulation). I currently have steam heating and looking to upgrade to forced hot water (high efficiency gas boiler) around the same time as upgrading the fireplace to an insert.

I'm looking for a stove that can provide additional heat to the first two floors of the house and provide ambiance. I really like the look of the Regency CI2600, but it doesn't look like it will fit my dimensions. The Pacific Energy NEO 2.5 seems like it would almost fit my fireplace and has a similar design, but I worry that it will be slightly too small even with the oversized surround. Any recommendations for an insert with a surround that could fit this fireplace with a somewhat contemporary look?

Also, does anyone have experience with using a wood stove somewhat close to a Nest thermostat? I have my Nest thermostat for my boiler on the wall behind the fireplace. I'm wondering how it will interact with a close heat source and how best to program it to make sure that the heat still runs on the upper floors without cooking everyone on the first floor.

I'm looking to make an investment in an insert that can / should last 10+ years and not terribly concerned about the price (but don't need unnecessary bells and whistles).

Thanks in advance.

BK

 

[brenndatomu]

Howdy!
Stove close to a T-stat will be an issue...shouldn't be a big deal to move it, or have it moved.
What exactly is the issue with the fireplace size? Stove too big or surround too small? That doesn't sound like a hard size fireplace to accommodate...
If surround is too small, have a metal fab shop make extensions for you...should be pretty easy actually, surrounds aren't complicated

 

[kennyp2339]

That looks like a classic fireplace, there should be many inserts w/ surrounds that fit the area, I have also seen a creative member with a huge fireplace fabricate and install a metal mesh surround, it came out really nice. Things to consider is building an insulated block off plate, and an insulated liner, 6" or 8" depending on what the stove manufacturer recommends. Also depending on what stove you go with you may need to extend your hearth.
*edit - you may want to look at free standing stoves to, (place in front of fireplace) check out Woodstock soapstone company, there ideal steel stove is made in the next state over from you, can be vented from the rear and with the short leg kit the stove's height is 30.5". It also has a 3 cu foot firebox, cat w/ sec reburn (clean burns) low pollution at 1.4 grams an hour and 82% efficiency.
http://www.woodstove.com/ideal-steel-hybrid

 

[mass_burner]

I have two nests in the same area with two stoves, a large common area, lr, Dr, kitchen, family room. No issues, in fact, they augment the stoves. I set the nests at a base and they only kick on when that reserve is reached.

In the mornings, I set the schedule for 68 at 7am, I get the stove going and by 8 its up to temp and the nest turns off the furnace.

What style of stove are you looking for? You should also think in terms of your decor.

 

[brenndatomu]

I have two nests in the same area with two stoves, a large common area, lr, Dr, kitchen, family room. No issues, in fact, they augment the stoves. I set the nests at a base and they only kick on when that reserve is reached.

Are you heating an upper floor like bk mentioned?
I guess it depends on the house, but for me, if my tstat was close to my stove...the upstairs would be freezing by the time the tstat was calling for heat

 

[mass_burner]

Are you heating an upper floor like bk mentioned?
I guess it depends on the house, but for me, if my tstat was close to my stove...the upstairs would be freezing by the time the tstat was calling for heat

Both my stoves are in the area with the stoves, no upper floor. So its a thermostat issue in general, not specific to nests.