Just a little background on myself. I am 28 and recently married and a new homeowner. I knew I was gonna burn with wood so I put a dare iv insert that I got for cheap in the upstairs fireplace while we were renovating. Now that wer are living in the house we want more heat. I have a clay tile chimney opening downstairs and would like to put a freestanding stove for more heat and longer burns. The englander 30 seems more than enough for our 1800sf house. The thing that worries me is my budget and my chimney. I can afford a stove but not a liner. Should I risk being unhappy with the stove because I have an unlined chimney or should I buy an old cheaper stove to see if the chimney will work. Its about 25ft. Has round clay horizontal that ties to rectangular vertical flue. Also, hurricane irene came through this past summer and left more oak on the ground than could be burned by everyone on hearth. Any advice of what to do? Thanks