ZC Fireplace or Free Standing Wood Stove?

[JChurch]

Thanks for any feedback you offer. I recently removed my zero clearance decorative fireplace and am now left with an opening. I thought I knew what I could install, but it seems like I will be limited due to clearances and lack of a masonry fireplace. I suppose I’ll have to install ZC high efficiency fireplace, but I would rather have a free standing stove. Would I be able to install a
free standing stove by installing a non-combustible heat shield around the interior of the chase area and added floor protection? See the picture to get an idea of what I have in the existing space now.

 

[Sodbuster]

Really guys, 70 some views and not one offer of advice? Well here goes. I had exactly what you have JChurch, an old low clearance fireplace that created no heat whatsoever, and had a wooden chase. What you are going to run into is clearance to combustibles issues. What I did was to open mine up further to create an alcove that provided the proper height for clearance to combustibles. Then I looked for a stove that had low clearance to combustibles, in my case that was a Pacific Energy Summit, free standing steel wood stove. It throws a ton of heat and has awesome burn times. Hopefully others will chime in, but if they don't, PM me directly and I can show you pictures of my install.

 

[ratsrepus]

What type of chimney is presently installed. If thats a class A chimney Id do what the guy did that first posted. A nice big alcove would be cool, except Ashful will get you on a patent infringment

 

[bholler]

What type of chimney is presently installed. If thats a class A chimney Id do what the guy did that first posted. A nice big alcove would be cool, except Ashful will get you on a patent infringment

It looks like an air cooled stack for a zc. Not adequate for a stove

 

[begreen]

Yes, the chimney will need to be replaced with class A chimney. That can be done. @JChurch can we get some dimensions for the current cavity's full width and depth?

PS: Thanks for catching this sodbuster.

 

[JChurch]

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it. Since I first posted, I've learned a little more about the setup I had. bholler is correct, I will need to replace my current Vent with Class A and am looking around at different options. begreen, the current dimension of the cavity are 7' wide x 21" deep (so I think it is fairly narrow in terms of depth). I planning on a heat shield with the 1" air gap, adding floor protection, and and checking to see if I have adequate space (and removing wall material if needed) for the reduced clearances listed for a Lopi Endeavor or Liberty free standing wood stove. I have 1500 sq ft downstails that I'd like to heat in a semi-open floor plan, but am also afraid I will lose some heat up a nearby stair well that is open.

 

[begreen]

Seven feet wide is huge. That provides lots of wiggle room. You may not need any wall shielding. The Endeavor is a good workhorse and time proven stove. with close clearances if it is connected with double-wall stove pipe. The blower will help circulate the heat into the room.

Looking at the picture again it looks like the 7' may have been a typo. Does the chase for the old fireplace bump out into the room? Can you post a further back picture that shows the whole area and maybe include the nearby staircase?