Any fireplace/insert experts out there

[Krischaser]

Hi we have a "builders special" fireplace that we burn fires in but want to put in a insert. Can we pull out the whole box and use the existing flue? Thanks

 

[Evi]

I'm no expert but we did have a insert put in last year. My understanding is they have to add a new lining that can support the heat genrated by gas.

 

[swilshire]

I'm not sure what a "builders special" fireplace is.

We had a woodstove insert put into our fireplace. Our friendly chimney sweep found a used one for us and delivered/installed it for a small fee. I wasn't there when he did it, but I think it just slid right in. It definitely used the existing flue.

Sheila

 

[Muushka]

We had a gas insert installed a few years back. After a while I noticed that cold air was leaking out of it in winter and warm air in summer.

What ever you have installed, be sure that they put some insulation around the insert.

We did it afterwards, which worked, but it should have been done when they installed it.

 

[Krischaser]

Hi and thanks for your answers. We have a metal box like frame/insert (made for buring wood) with fire blocks and damper ect. But if we pull it out we will be just left with the piping for the chimmney and the wood studs with a empty hole where the firebox was. I know it sounds complicated...but I don't think it is I just might be explaining it that way.

 

[Evi]

We had a gas insert installed a few years back. After a while I noticed that cold air was leaking out of it in winter and warm air in summer.

What ever you have installed, be sure that they put some insulation around the insert.

We did it afterwards, which worked, but it should have been done when they installed it.

Are you sure that they put the right size insert in for you? I only say this because they came and measured our space first and the insert didn't have space to add insulation around it. The unit was so flush to the existsting surface they even checked it for a draft.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

We looked into this a while back. You need to have an expert come and make sure your setup can handle the heat, as PP said. Turns out ours couldn't and it was going to be $$$$ to replace everything. Someone from a fireplace store should be able to come out and see what your setup can handle.

 

[jrw118]

We looked into this a while back. You need to have an expert come and make sure your setup can handle the heat, as PP said. Turns out ours couldn't and it was going to be $$$$ to replace everything. Someone from a fireplace store should be able to come out and see what your setup can handle.

We had this done last year. In order to use our existing chase we had to use a zero clearance insert. We needed to change the pipes inside of the chase. We chose a very large model made by lennox Monticeto estate Here s the link
http://www.lennoxhearthproducts.com/products/fireplaces/montecito-estate/
I did a ton of research. We choose this particular model because it has a double vent. We had piping brought to the second floor so the fireplace heats the second floor as well as the first. We needed a large unit because my home is around 3000sqft without the basement. We are so happy with it. We hardly used any oil since it was installed in late February last year.

The only thing I will tell you is it was VERY expensive. The total cost without the tile around the front was about $9000 with installation. With heating oil prices what they are and climbing we figured it would pay for itself in about 5 years if we reduced our oil dependency 50%. From last years statistics (from installation) it looks like it will be 75-80% less oil Good luck.

 

[Muushka]

Are you sure that they put the right size insert in for you? I only say this because they came and measured our space first and the insert didn't have space to add insulation around it. The unit was so flush to the existsting surface they even checked it for a draft.

I know the one thing I have learned since doing lots of work on our house is that many of them really either don't know what they are doing or they just don't care.

Yes, I think that there was probably a unit that would have fit better.
But not being in that field, I (wrongly) assumed that the installer knew what he was doing.

But I got a great deal on the unit. It was a 5K unit that he sold to me for 2K. Once the insulation was installed, it was fine.