Wood burning inserts
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We installed one in our last house. 110% worth the money! I don’t remember the brand we went with, but it was a middle of the line deal. Spring time closeout, free installation type of deal.
I wanted one. We have a zero clearance fireplace from 1978. One outfit said sure they'd install one, the other said nfw they'd install one. The problem with a zero clearance is that the framing lumber may be too close for the wood burning insert's combustible clearances. One company didn't want to be liable for burning my house down.
It makes your fireplace efficient. That simple. Burns less wood, holds more heat, disperses heat better, doesn’t draft as bad, doesn’t pop on your floor...
FIL added a pellet burning insert and it kicks ass. It was uber expensive but the may have seen him coming. Many do...
Insert is different than a Buck Stove or Earth Stove type? I think those are brand names for the type of store I am thinking. 4 legs and free standing units. Generally have brick around them.
An insert turns your fireplace into a wood stove. Generally comes with fans behind the unit to blow the heat out from behind the wall.
This was the unit we went with. Sold the house 3 years later, so I can’t speak about longevity. We loved it compared to the traditional fireplace. We went from burning 8 cords a season to 5 cords.
https://www.regency-fire.com/en/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts/HI300
We chose this unit because it had the biggest sale at the time.
https://www.regency-fire.com/en/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts/HI300
We chose this unit because it had the biggest sale at the time.
huntn2
Senior Member
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Thanks all.
I have been looking at a few but some of the reviews are unreal!
Huntn2 - this looks great, you have great efficiency out of it?
Have you all seen a decrease in heating bill? I have read some reviews stating guys are heating a 2200 sq ft home full time with one.
I have been looking at a few but some of the reviews are unreal!
Huntn2 - this looks great, you have great efficiency out of it?
Have you all seen a decrease in heating bill? I have read some reviews stating guys are heating a 2200 sq ft home full time with one.
Hard to say about heating a home. A lot about the home will dictate that. Layout and general efficiency of the house to hold heat. You can have a 6 stoves on one end of the house, but drafty windows and newspaper insulation will still have the other side cold.
huntn2
Senior Member
It’s at my in laws and it heats the piss out of the place. I’d strongly recommend it.
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my house is tighter than a bullfrogs ass under water! So from general home efficiency I believe I would do very well.
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I am about sold on that unit. they said it holds up to 24" logs which is what I have been looking for as I like to cut/spilt around 18-24
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Well everyone, I know this took me awhile but I ended up going with the Regency CI2600. So far I love the unit. I still need to play around with burn times, how much wood to fill it with, draft control, etc. but overall very satisfied. It holds heat well and it has kept the house at 70 degrees when the nights have been down in the 30s/40s.
This unit has a catalytic combuster so once you get the fire going for about 30 minutes, you can shut that bypass on the unit, it takes the smoke produced from the logs and "reburns" it a second time. Not exactly sure how that all works but produces great heat!
This unit has a catalytic combuster so once you get the fire going for about 30 minutes, you can shut that bypass on the unit, it takes the smoke produced from the logs and "reburns" it a second time. Not exactly sure how that all works but produces great heat!
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I just wanted to give an update. I absolutely have loved this insert!
I can have the entire upstairs - thermostat is on other side of home from fireplace - at 75 degrees easy. Typically I will light a fire and burn a decent haul of wood that I can carry with 2 arms (not a notable volume). After that burns down to a good pile of embers, I load that sucker full!! From there, I simply kick back and sip on coffee or whisky, depending on the time of day. The heat lasts a long time and most mornings I can start the fire by just stirring the embers up a bit. I am sure I could keep fire going all night if I loaded it up, and reduced air draft right before bed - I simply choose not to do so.
Only con, the fan on low sometimes will rattle the catalytic combuster handle - so I do have to adjust it from time to time.
Overall - very satisfied with the unit, even after the tough price tag to get past.
I can have the entire upstairs - thermostat is on other side of home from fireplace - at 75 degrees easy. Typically I will light a fire and burn a decent haul of wood that I can carry with 2 arms (not a notable volume). After that burns down to a good pile of embers, I load that sucker full!! From there, I simply kick back and sip on coffee or whisky, depending on the time of day. The heat lasts a long time and most mornings I can start the fire by just stirring the embers up a bit. I am sure I could keep fire going all night if I loaded it up, and reduced air draft right before bed - I simply choose not to do so.
Only con, the fan on low sometimes will rattle the catalytic combuster handle - so I do have to adjust it from time to time.
Overall - very satisfied with the unit, even after the tough price tag to get past.
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I can get better ones tonight or tomorrow. However this is right after it was installed. Don’t mind the spoiled beagle. fairly sleek design and it’s nice cause it heats up the stone just like a traditional fireplace would. Also the firebox is around 22 inches so you can get some fires cranking!! Very efficient compared to a standard wood burning fireplace with a nice viewing area still. Also you can crack door, if you want to hear the fire crackle - my wife likes that from time to time.