Fireplace Inserts Info ?

daArch

Not sure if this is the "best" section for this, but let's try.

A freind called the other day that he wants to "pick my brain" (he oughta know them's slim pickins) about fireplace inserts.

I have a freestanding wood stove.

What's the general scoop about them? Are they worth the money? That much better than a regular fireplace?

The have a mentally challenged adult child so a freee standing stove would NOT be appropriate, and with him, a glass screen on their existing fireplace is necessary. (I understand that inserts mostly have blowers?)

Now I burn wood and do not mind all the associated work, but should these people consider pellets or corn burners?

Any answers today before Pats/Colts game would be appreciated - we've been invited to watch it there on their 54" HD.

TIA

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA

joasis

I love the look of a fireplace, but they aren't as efficient as a woodstove, period. I will probably go with a Heatilator brand from Acme brick in my home, although we use inserts in the spec and customs.....about $350 plus the flue pipe.

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Mike Finley

You're gonna get what you pay for, it's all about BTUs and looks. I've never installed a gas insert that wasn't around $2500 for the unit and materials (vent). + Instalation.

Blowers are optional, as are remote controls, programable thermos, or programable remotes, door options, colors...

Napoleon and Cozy Heat are big names in the fireplace biz.

That's impossible to answer because you're not tell us what the criteria is?

Gas inserts raise the value of a home, they are easy to use, (flip a switch) not messy, they are safe. They aren't as natural as a fireplace, there is a glass between you and the fire, they cost a lot, they cost more to run in terms of dollars I guess when you compare gas and cutting your own wood. But again it comes down to time.

Give us some more specific questions and we can fill you in better.

Home Serve

Does your friend have an existing fireplace that he is thinking of putting a woodburning insert in? That would be an important piece of information.
What's the situation?
Dave

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Missouri Remodeling Company with services for Replacement Windows Vinyl Siding and Entry Doors

daArch

Sorry for the lack of info. I should know better.

But all I was asked was about inserts.

SO, I am ASSUMING he means a wood burning insert. He mentioned a blower. He mentioned that the existing fireplace with the glass screen (and no blower) must be inefficient.

I do not now the size of his fireplace or existing flue, but there is a raised hearth (8" ??).

ANY suggestions would be helpful. Wood, gas, pellet, corn, and even coal.

This is an open ended idea of his.

-thanks, Bill

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA

Home Serve

I'd say that if he has an existing fireplace with glass doors and no blower he has a system that is not efficient in the slight. There are newer fireplaces on the market now that are acually quite efficient. Look at heatilator web site for that. As far as putting a woodburning or pellet insert in, he should know that: The chimney that was put in for the fireplace is way oversized for an air tight wood burning appliance. Many companies would down size it by inserting a SS pipe inside the clay tile liner. Otherwise these large clay tile chimneys can produce and store a large amount of creosote resulting in a nasty chimney fire and damage to at the least the chimney.
Have an expert size and install the unit.
Dave

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Missouri Remodeling Company with services for Replacement Windows Vinyl Siding and Entry Doors

neolitic

The more efficient a wood burner is, the more creosote it will produce. That's not paranoia. SS and regular cleaning is a must!
Just when everyone has finished junking all the ones we put in in the 70's---here we go again. I've been looking around, and almost all of the one's I liked best back then are out of business now.
"History doesn't repeat itself...but it rhymes." Mark Twain

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

woodmagman

A fireplace insert is a gas, electric or wood burner that is installed into an existing masonry fireplace.
The screen or glass on any fireplace is not going to protect anyone from being burned when touching it....
The electric can be used as an insert, while the heat is less inclined to burn anyone or can be turned off while the flames are still on, and would be my recommendation to your situation....Dimplex.com