wood stove location

[Sim]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to get a wood stove installed at my house before the end of the year and cant decide on a location to put the stove. I have 2 options to choose from, option 1 and option 2 in the house layout photo. My goal is to heat both the great room and the kitchen, so I can shut that zone of heating off. For option 1 I can point the stove in either of the 2 directions shown by the arrows. Option 2 would be a demo of the gas fireplace. There is a boiler vent coming from the basement behind that gas fireplace which will need to be framed and drywalled and then a wood stove placed in front of it. The chimney for option 2 would go through the same chase as the current gas fireplace.

Option 1 is easier, since i dont need to demo and can still have the gas fireplace (although i never use it). The hearth pad will also have to go into the rug in front of the gas fireplace - not enough clearance in the same location.

Id really love your guys opinion on the best location to heat up both the kitchen and great room. Im wondering if these locations are equal as far as the heat getting to the kitchen or if one is a better option.

For option 2 the chimney pipe for the wood stove would run out of the existing prefab chase. I have checked clearances and there is more than enough room to fit the wood stove pipe and maintain 2 inch clearance from combustibles. This chase looks uninsulated to me. So another question I have, does running the pipe through an uninsulated chase make any substantial difference in keeping the flue warm? Someone told me if its uninsulated there wont be much difference between going through the chase vs a pipe straight out of the roof like it would be if I did option 1.

 

[begreen]

Both locations will heat the open area. Option 1 looks better. It's out of the traffic path and it will provide a nice fire view from the couch. The stove is going to primarily heat the great room/kitchen area and not the bedrooms or Living/Dining areas as much.

 

[Sim]

Both locations will heat the open area. Option 1 looks better. It's out of the traffic path and it will provide a nice fire view from the couch. The stove is going to primarily heat the great room/kitchen area and not the bedrooms or Living/Dining areas as much.

Thank you so much for your input!