Fireplace Install

[HerdFan76]

I've been wanting to install a wood burning insert into an old fireplace I've never used. I got a quote for $4500 that includes the insert with a cooktop, replacing the chimney lining and fixing the chimney cap which was damaged by a fallen tree. The insert looks great, has a cooktop that would be handy in a power outage, and a fan that heats up to 2000 sq ft, enough for the main level of my house.

I love a wood burner, but researching it I get conflicting reviews on how efficient they are. My main goal is to offset my electric/gas heating bills but looking into it leaves me up in the air with questions. I'm not against installing a gas burner, but that would end up being more for aesthetics, obviously.

Any experience or recommendations?

 

[i am herdman]

I've been wanting to install a wood burning insert into an old fireplace I've never used. I got a quote for $4500 that includes the insert with a cooktop, replacing the chimney lining and fixing the chimney cap which was damaged by a fallen tree. The insert looks great, has a cooktop that would be handy in a power outage, and a fan that heats up to 2000 sq ft, enough for the main level of my house.

I love a wood burner, but researching it I get conflicting reviews on how efficient they are. My main goal is to offset my electric/gas heating bills but looking into it leaves me up in the air with questions. I'm not against installing a gas burner, but that would end up being more for aesthetics, obviously.

Any experience or recommendations?

I am just going to tell you right now. That stove pipe is going to leak at some point. Everyone I have ever seen does and causes problems later. Also, nearly everyone I have ever seen installed become just something to look at down the road. People get tired of getting the wood, feeding the fire, the smoke, or cleaning it up.

 

[WV-FAN]

if you've never had wood heat, you're in for a treat. it's the warmest heat there is. on the flip side, it's also the messiest, you'll be cleaning/dusting your house two to three times as much as you currently do, and, it's a bit more work than walking over and changing the thermostat on the wall.

obviously, you're going to lose heat out the chimney, so the efficiency isn't going to be as high as say a gas log fireplace (which I would also recommend installing an insert of one of those, we have two of them, one in living room, one in bedroom, and love them), but the heat is so much hotter that you won't mind losing some of it out the flue.

if i had time to cut wood, i'd have a wood burner. i actually do have a fire place like you currently have in my basement but have only used it a hand full of times since moving in 13 years ago. also, have a friend who heats his entire 3K sqft house with a wood furnace in his basement. says it's nothing to have the temp in his house at 80 degrees or better on the coldest of days.

whatever you choose as an insert, whether it be gas logs or wood insert, definitely have the fan installed, also. i didn't on my gas logs, and although they're 100% efficient and i'm losing zero heat from them, it'd be nice to have the fan to circulate the heat a bit better. the installer told me i didn't need one which is why i didn't put one in. wish i'd have researched it a bit better.

 

[Dreh_Nagi_HC_IM]

if i had time to cut wood

Don't you have a wife? She should be cutting it.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Don't you have a wife? She should be cutting it.

Now that's a real wood burner!!!!!!!!

 

[i am herdman]

Now that's a real wood burner!!!!!!!!

Would have to mount that beaver near the fireplace.

 

[Raoul Duke MU]

definitely have the fan installed,

I've never had a fireplace, but my parents did and they had a fan. It really made a difference in circulating the heat.

 

[Dreh_Nagi_HC_IM]

I'm not sure where the OP is living, but I see quite a few people up here with these outdoor wood/pellet stoves. Likely costly upfront, but probably cheaper in the long run. Especially if you have a six month winter.

 

[Y.A.G Si Ye Nots]

Grew up with two of the gas fireplaces/fake logs. Decent heat from them, but they also have their issues.

One, the smell/concern about natural gas can be real. Over the years, they've had to be fixed due to emitting a strong natural gas smell at times. The glass can get stained/charred, and manually cleaning the glass is a pain in the ass. The pilot lights/thermocouple can and eventually will go out.

Overall, I'd still choose them over wood due to the constant chopping/adding wood, ash/smoke, etc.

 

[HerdFan76]

Thanks, fellas.

I have a gas insert in the basement level, I love it. I thought a wood burner on the main level would be a good trade off, and good for resale. It's a coin flip.

I have 3 years until I retire, hopefully for good. My goal is to have all my house projects done by then and either to live here forever or make a hit sale and move to Belize. Another flip of that coin.

 

[WV-FAN]

Thanks, fellas.

I have a gas insert in the basement level, I love it. I thought a wood burner on the main level would be a good trade off, and good for resale. It's a coin flip.

I have 3 years until I retire, hopefully for good. My goal is to have all my house projects done by then and either to live here forever or make a hit sale and move to Belize. Another flip of that coin.

if you're close to retirement and you want a wood burner, I'd suggest you research the pellet stoves. I know a few people who have those and they love them. Less mess than traditional wood burners and don't have to cut/split wood, but still get that wood heat.

Edit: ha, come to think of it, my brother has a pellet stove and he loves it.

 

[HerdFan76]

if you're close to retirement and you want a wood burner, I'd suggest you research the pellet stoves. I know a few people who have those and they love them. Less mess than traditional wood burners and don't have to cut/split wood, but still get that wood heat.

Edit: ha, come to think of it, my brother has a pellet stove and he loves it.

I know that's the way to go, but it doesn't fit my livingroom, and it sure doesn't set the mood...