Any regrets on insert?

[2PistolPacker]

I've had my insert installed for a week now and I have had a fire everyday. Due to low natural gas prices I didn't install the insert to heat my home full time, so ROI doesn't concern me. Will I ever recoup my money, probably not. We both really enjoy sitting in front of a fire, so I bought it and now we are enjoying it. No regrets.

 

[edge-of-the-woods]

Very cool!

My satisfaction with my insert has gone way up since we chopped a big giant hole in the wall for the kitchen remodel. before there was a 60"x80" opening (framed for slider) from the kitchen/dining room to the family room. I used to have dueling fans and still it was a trick to get heat distributed. A 15-20 degree difference between the bedrooms and the family room was about all I could hope for. Now there's a 12' opening floor-to-ceiling, and with the family room about 74 the upstairs bedrooms are 67-68, no extra fans and the heat spreads quickly unlike before. This has held true for the few "cold" days/nights we've had so far this year.

I've been thinking about taking out the transom over our bedroom door, so the heat can spread through more easily. Put in a hinged window or something.

 

[jimdrea]

Put the insert in during 2009 after the brutal 2008 heating season with sky-high oil prices. We liked burning the fireplace for the ambiance and warmth that it provided for the living room where it's located. However, the only time it was warmer in there was when the thing was raging full on and the rest of the house was still cool. As soon as it started cooling down for the night, the flue draft would suck all the warm air out of the rest of the house making all the other rooms freezing and eventually causing the furnace to run even more than without the fireplace. I think it actually COST me more money to burn the fireplace. I originally put in the insert to use as a supplemental heating source where we could enjoy a fire without losing our shirts and being cold at the same time. It made such a difference that we immediately became 24/7 burners and now enjoy a consistently warm living room that averages around 77 with the rest of the house remaining temperate around 68-70 with small floor fans circulating the air. I also cut my oil bill down to about a fifth of what it was previously so I think my investment has been paid for already including the wood processing toys I accumulated. Frankly, if you generally like it warm, there's nothing like wood heat. We would never turn the thermostat up to 77 for sure and there's something about lounging around in shorts in December with a pile of cats in front of the thing while friends and family living in their homes complain they have to either put on another sweater or crack the thermostat up to 64* because everyone is freezing.

 

[jimdrea]

I love my insert. We have a napoleon 1402 and had it professionally installed for 3,800. dollars. We use to have a weekend fire in our fireplace but in the winter when it burned down all the heat would be sucked out of the house. I have programable thermostats and four zones. Noone is home during the day and we keep the house cool 58 degrees. Yesterday I was home from work at 4pm. By 5:30 I had my 1st floor 1500 sq feet a comfy 72 degrees. The insert has turned into a hobby for me. I have one kid in college and the other starting next year. I spend alot of my free time finding wood, splitting and stacking and drying it. I is a real pleasure to burn wood you know you labored on. I have a Honda Ridgeline and if there is a tree company working in my town I aske if I can take the rounds. All of my wood has been free like this.

 

[Timberwolf530]

Hello everyone!

I've been spending numerous hours on this site the last several weeks and really have learned a lot. I'm about to pull the trigger on a wood insert. I've been burning in an open fireplace that has mesh and glass doors the past seven years. I realize that I am losing a great deal of heat up the chimney but the radiant heat is wonderful in the family room and kitchen.

Our house is 2200 sq. ft on the main level and 800 finished in the basement. An addition was added in '06 by the previous homeowners. We now have two furnaces. My goal is to eliminate one of the furnaces (which the fireplace does pretty well I feel). Our fireplace is in the family room with interior chimney.

I love the open crackle and flames of the fireplace and I can usually get overnight burns with large 12-14" rounds. This is something I'm afraid that I will miss plus not be able to fit some of the wood I currently have cut and stacked. I have a nearly limitless supply of dry, dead wood so that's not really an issue although I would be up for the wood lasting longer.

I'm thinking it will take several years for an insert to pay for itself (like 15) with natural gas being relatively cheap. Also, it seems that these inserts have a bit of a learning curve. Doesn't get much easier with my setup now, guess it's all about the air control.

My main question is am I making a $4k+ mistake or should I just pull the trigger and don't look back?! Does anyone who has burned an open fireplace previously regret their decision on an insert?

First, you don't have to spend $4k to get a nice setup. You can, as people suggested find a nice used one, and install it yourself for around $1000, if you want an older stove. Since you have an unlimited supply of wood, the fact that the older units are very hungry shouldn't matter as much to you. Plus, it will still use alot less than your open fireplace, and heat much better. In my case, I bought an old Fisher for $350, an insulated stainless flue for around $250, and installed it myself. It only took a couple hours, and wasn't what I would consider a difficult project. I love my old insert, but I don't have an unlimited supply of wood, so I am thinking about buying a more efficient stove for next year. Well, that and my wife wants glass so she can see the flames. OK, I'd like it too.

Second, it's not all about ROI. When your house is heated with a wood stove, it's different than with a regular furnace. The best way I can describe it is that it's a more penetrating heat. Everything seems warmer, the furniture, the walls, the floors. I just got my insert last winter, and the difference we feel would be worth it even if we saved nothing. As said before, it's nice to sit back in shorts and a t shirt, and kick up your bare feet when it's freezing outside. We always kept our thermostat at 67 before , now our house is never under 70. I originally bought the insert as a supplemental heat source for really cold days, but we like it so much that I haven't had my furnace on more than a couple times so far this season.

IMO, you're already doing the work, you may as well reap the benefits of having a wood stove. I say go for it.

 

[pigc]

First, you don't have to spend $4k to get a nice setup. You can, as people suggested find a nice used one, and install it yourself for around $1000, if you want an older stove. Since you have an unlimited supply of wood, the fact that the older units are very hungry shouldn't matter as much to you. Plus, it will still use alot less than your open fireplace, and heat much better. In my case, I bought an old Fisher for $350, an insulated stainless flue for around $250, and installed it myself. It only took a couple hours, and wasn't what I would consider a difficult project. I love my old insert, but I don't have an unlimited supply of wood, so I am thinking about buying a more efficient stove for next year. Well, that and my wife wants glass so she can see the flames. OK, I'd like it too.

Second, it's not all about ROI. When your house is heated with a wood stove, it's different than with a regular furnace. The best way I can describe it is that it's a more penetrating heat. Everything seems warmer, the furniture, the walls, the floors. I just got my insert last winter, and the difference we feel would be worth it even if we saved nothing. As said before, it's nice to sit back in shorts and a t shirt, and kick up your bare feet when it's freezing outside. We always kept our thermostat at 67 before , now our house is never under 70. I originally bought the insert as a supplemental heat source for really cold days, but we like it so much that I haven't had my furnace on more than a couple times so far this season.

IMO, you're already doing the work, you may as well reap the benefits of having a wood stove. I say go for it.

Great points! I have taken the first step and ordered a SS liner kit. Should arrive by the weekend. Unfortunately the flush insert we like the most is the Jotul Rockland C550 and they sure don't give those away! Although I've been a bit hesitant on some of the problems I've read about. I don't think I'll miss the open, crackling flames as much as I originally thought and it will be much safer for overnight burns. Not much luck on used around here. Thanks for the nudge though, I'm about to take the leap!

 

[slayer7]

I, too, thought I would miss the "open, crackling flames", which also brought flying embers, occasional belches of smoke and lots of drafts but the truth is that with the glass doors on these stoves, you hardly notice the difference besides the added raging amount of heat coming from it. I can still hear the wood crackling and popping while enjoying the flame show and be toasty warm too. Of course, you'll have a little trouble roasting marshmallows now...

 

[jeffesonm]

The Osburn Matrix insert is a great stove, has a contemporary look and can be had for nearly a thousand less than that Jotul.

 

[bboulier]

I have rally enjoyed my Rockwell 550c insert. I don't rely on it solely for heat since I have young grandchildren who come over often. They are too young to be exposed to a hot stove, but we use it a lot during the winter when the are not around. We live in a split level. The insert will heat the main and upper floors. When stuffed full, it will provide sufficient heat to get us through the night.

 

[pigc]

The Osburn Matrix insert is a great stove, has a contemporary look and can be had for nearly a thousand less than that Jotul.

That one has been on my radar as well. Nice looking unit. Unfortunately, no dealers nearby. One thing I like about the Rockland is that everything is included in the price. (cast iron surround, blower, etc.) I've noticed a lot of the others advertise a price just for the unit but after you add the surround, blower it's another several hundred dollars. Regency CI2600 comes to mind. It started out $400 less than Rockland but ended up being almost $500 more after all the options. Felt like I was at a car dealership lured in by the "base" price!

I have rally enjoyed my Rockwell 550c insert. I don't rely on it solely for heat since I have young grandchildren who come over often. They are too young to be exposed to a hot stove, but we use it a lot during the winter when the are not around. We live in a split level. The insert will heat the main and upper floors. When stuffed full, it will provide sufficient heat to get us through the night.

Thanks for your input. The Rockland is still the top contender. Jotul also has a $200 savings coupon through the end of December which is nice. One of my concerns is keeping the kids away from the insert. It will be in the family room where we spend 90% of our time.

 

[prezes13]

Don't worry about the kids too much. My daughter was one year old when I put my insert in. She never burn herself. She knows better not too touch it and belive me she cannot sit still for five seconds. Best time is when the stove is running nice and hot and after her bath she comes and we sit in front of it enjoying the nice radiant heat coming of the glass.

 

[Fod01]

One of my concerns is keeping the kids away from the insert. It will be in the family room where we spend 90% of our time.

My kids were a bit older when we got ours (12, 16) so no burns from touching the stove, but my daughter came in from the cold and sat in front of it with her heavy sweatshirt on. It was smoking before she ever felt warm.

You can always get a freestanding fireplace screen for piece of mind. Accidents do happen with little ones.

 

[mass_burner]

Don't worry about the kids too much. My daughter was one year old when I put my insert in. She never burn herself. She knows better not too touch it and belive me she cannot sit still for five seconds. Best time is when the stove is running nice and hot and after her bath she comes and we sit in front of it enjoying the nice radiant heat coming of the glass.

My daughter was 4 when we started burning with the inserts, before that we had open fires in the fireplace. If you are careful, they pickup on it.

 

[ekg0477]

That one has been on my radar as well. Nice looking unit. Unfortunately, no dealers nearby. One thing I like about the Rockland is that everything is included in the price. (cast iron surround, blower, etc.) I've noticed a lot of the others advertise a price just for the unit but after you add the surround, blower it's another several hundred dollars. Regency CI2600 comes to mind. It started out $400 less than Rockland but ended up being almost $500 more after all the options. Felt like I was at a car dealership lured in by the "base" price!



Thanks for your input. The Rockland is still the top contender. Jotul also has a $200 savings coupon through the end of December which is nice. One of my concerns is keeping the kids away from the insert. It will be in the family room where we spend 90% of our time.

Where did you see this $200 coupon?

 

[ADK_XJ]

Being relatively new to the game, I'd say my two biggest pro's to switching to an insert from an open fireplace are 1) the long-term value of the heat from a modern insert 2) no more drafty living room or old fire stench when it's been raining / snowing.

Our brick hearth wasn't long enough to accommodate a free standing stove and the wife vetoed extending it (hey, it's a democracy) so we went with the best fit for the space in a Regency i2400. However, there is that part of me that wishes I had pushed harder for a true stove but aesthetically speaking the insert is a perfect fit.

 

[pigc]

Where did you see this $200 coupon?

jotul's website.

 

[ekg0477]

jotul's website.

Thanks!

I guess I was a couple days (early) for this. My insert was installed on 11/28 coupon good for 12/4 and after. That really stings!

 

[lml999]

Does anyone who has burned an open fireplace previously regret their decision on an insert?

Yes. I wish I had gone with a Hearthstone stove instead of an insert.

I do love my insert, and it works well...but next time I'm going freestanding.

Fortunately, I have a finished basement with a second fireplace.

 

[Schmev]

Being relatively new to the game, I'd say my two biggest pro's to switching to an insert from an open fireplace are 1) the long-term value of the heat from a modern insert 2) no more drafty living room or old fire stench when it's been raining / snowing.

Our brick hearth wasn't long enough to accommodate a free standing stove and the wife vetoed extending it (hey, it's a democracy) so we went with the best fit for the space in a Regency i2400. However, there is that part of me that wishes I had pushed harder for a true stove but aesthetically speaking the insert is a perfect fit.

That is what I cant wait for. Our famly room smells like a campfire. My wife and I love using the open fireplace but it's inefficiency and smell make it unbearable. The room we spend the most time in as a family is easily the coldest in the house. I cant wait to get ours installed.

 

[ekg0477]

 

[EJL923]

I thought last i looked around here natural gas was as cheap or close to the cost of heating with wood. I have oil so an insert has been a godsend. If money was no object an insert still gives ambience more efficiently, but if this isnt a cost saving move and you dont want to spend the 4k, dont do it.

 

[pigc]

Thanks everyone for their input. This has truly been a learning experience. We pulled the trigger on the Jotul C 550 Rockland CF. Ordered the flex-king pro SS liner with smooth interior wall (cheaper and better quality than what the dealer was offering). Installed last weekend with help of my brother, nephew and a couple friends. After the break-in fires actually got a 10 hour burn overnight with a few coals this morning to get things started again. I never realized I was burning so much wood in the open fireplace compared to this 550 lb beast! Wife just called and mentioned how comfortable it was in the house.

For those contemplating a self install...it's not that bad if you have good help. Just be sure to repay with pizza and beverages when you're all done!

Here are a few pics of the install. Happy burning everyone! Hopefully no regrets!


Wife did not want power cord exposed so ran flush mount outlet in rear of firebox in the old ash clean out hole.


Insulating the firebox with Roxul fire resistant insulation.


My brother's 24 gauge metal block-off plate with insulation on top side. Luckily he's a heating and air guy that fabricated this in about 20 mins!


Making my nephew do the dirty work work while my brother and I look on.


Getting things lined up for final install and surround.


Final install after first break-in fire minus bottom surround. Have to get tiles cut for it to attach.

 

[lml999]

Beautiful installation.

One comment...I'm not sure you want that electrical outlet in the firebox... See this thread.

 

[jatoxico]

I have considered that! I still will always have some type of fire going. It gets in your blood like many of you know and there is no other heat like it!

This is exactly why it's worth it regardless of ROI. I heat for comfort and I enjoy it. I'll get paid back, I may have already, not counting. Very nice install, well done. Be shocked if you have any regrets.

*Calculating ROI is tricky IMO. I never tried to heat my house to 74-78 degrees with oil for a season .

 

[pigc]

Beautiful installation.

One comment...I'm not sure you want that electrical outlet in the firebox... See this thread.

Thank you and thanks for the heads up.