Zero Clearance Fireplace RSF Opel 3

[bernie1]

I’m having a new zero clearance fireplace installed in a month and it’s a RSF Opel 3. I have the room and option of adding:

Internal Blower for $ 325.00

Vs

Central Heat Blower $739.00 Plus $75 labor mounts, contents of the central heat blower.

What do you all recommend?

Am I asking for more problems with the central heat blower connection to my standard HVAC duct work?

Should I just keep it simple with the Internal Blower and save the money? But my house is 2500 sqft and I’m a little worried we might have some cold areas.


Also, I kind of pulled the trigger on the RSF Opel 3 already, and I’ve read mostly good things about the unit. But any opinions or words of wisdom on the unit?

Thanks!

 

[bernie1]

Also I have a full basement and it would nice to move hot air down there. The Central Heat Blower is probably the only viable option for that, right?

 

[begreen]

The RSF Opel 3 has a good reputation, but be realistic in what it can heat. Does the 2500 sq ft include the basement sq ftg.? Is the basement insulated? How is the insulation in the rest of the house? Are there confounding factors like very high ceilings or large glass areas?

Can you post a floor plan showing where the fireplace will be installed?

 

[bernie1]

The 2500 sqft doesn’t include the basement. The fireplace is centrally located. Everything is well insulated. I do not have high ceilings, and average on glass area.


I’ll try to find the floor plan.


Thanks

 

[bernie1]

See attached

"FP" = Fireplace

I don't really care about the "Lav/ Ldry" being toasty warm

 

[begreen]

If the basement adds another 1250 sq ft it's going be a stretch to expect the fireplace to heat everything in the dead of winter when it gets very cold regardless of distribution system. Michigan gets very cold.

 

[begreen]

No partitions are showing up in the drawing. If the floor plan is mostly open except for the master bedroom and the fireplace is centrally located at "FP", then the internal blower should suffice for the main floors of the house. If you want to try to heat the basement or part of it as a separate zone, then go for the central blower and duct it.

 

[bernie1]

I'm not expecting the basement to be real warm. And I thought I could just turn on the fan on the HVAC system to help circulate air.

 

[skinanbones]

i wouldn't bother with the central heat kit. Never had a satisfied customer with any we installed, between the noise even with isolaters or cost to replace fan when it failed. The option i would reccomend would be the internal blower for the main floor. If you want some heat downstairs you could add a heat dump kit. It would allow you to direct heat into the basement directly under the unit.