Fireplace Xtrordinair insert install.

[freddypd]

Had my insert installed yesterday. Pretty funny, the day before this was in the paper:



This was also pretty funny (unexpected oil delivery during install!):

 

[freddypd]

The installer had great communication and did a good job.



He removed the damper and inserted the heavy duty smooth liner that I paid extra for.



He installed this fitting and had to cut a small portion out for the rod that opens the top damper air bypass.


This hand truck was really cool. A nice back saver.


Cap installed.




Final product with first burn in fire.

 

[freddypd]

This was the before by the way. I did all the work myself.

 

[freddypd]

My thoughts on install.

Man we payed a lot for this thing, I hope it works and pays for itself eventually!

Installer was really nice, but this was a really easy install. Ranch home. Virtually straight flue. I probably could have done it myself.

I don't think he installed flue cement at the connection between the liner and insert. I think I would be able to see it?

His normal protocol is to just insulate at the top of the chimney. I had to ask him to add insulation at the bottom of the liner where the old damper was. He chuckled when I asked and wondered why. I tried to explain the best I could and told him it was because of my research that I did online. I mean cmon, what did it take about $4.00 in material and 4 minutes of time?

My wife loves the look and I think we will do well reducing our oil bills. I wish I got a free standing stove, but this option worked best for us.

 

[James02]

Nice, with a 3.0 cf box and hopefulle good wood you'll be toasting yourself out of your home office!!...Where on LI are you?

 

[Todd]

Nice job, looks great, keep us posted on your results.

 

[mellow]

You mention you paid extra for smooth liner, but in the photo's that looks like standard flex liner, was the inside of that liner smooth?

 

[freddypd]

You mention you paid extra for smooth liner, but in the photo's that looks like standard flex liner, was the inside of that liner smooth?

It seemed very smooth inside compared to the other ones I have seen. He normally installs a cheaper thinner liner.

 

[raybonz]

Looks great Freddy! Thicker isn't necessarily better when it comes to liners BTW it's more on how they are constructed and quality/grade of the S/S that matters. Yes I agree insulating the liner is a good idea and in your situation I believe many here create an insulated block-off at the bottom of the chimney. I don't know what you paid but it will pay for itself plus you will be much warmer than if you heated with oil! Congrats and good luck I hope you have some dry firewood so you can realize a clean chimney and maximum BTU's along with trouble-free operation!

Ray

 

[jonwright]

Definite upgrade. Nice.

 

[freddypd]

I also had a previous post where I questioned what to do for electric for the blower. I wound up tapping off a line in the basement and using MC cable up thru the clean out to the firebox chamber. I put an outlet inside the firebox since I think the new code requires that an outlet be mounted behind an appliance.

Here is the basement shot:

 

[freddypd]

I hear whistling. Is that because the liner wasn't sealed? Door gasket? Bad draft? It definitely seems loudest at the top vent.

 

[mellow]

Is the fan on?

 

[raybonz]

I hear whistling. Is that because the liner wasn't sealed? Door gasket? Bad draft? It definitely seems loudest at the top vent.

An air leak in the flue pipe will do that if there is a small leak. If that's the case it's nothing to worry about. Mine does that when I have a strong draft and while it can be prevented by some furnace cement at the joint it doesn't bother me so I leave it alone..

Ray

 

[firebroad]

freddypd, that is exactly how mine was installed, right down to the top insulation and the in-box receptacle. Hope you enjoy yours as much I love mine. My oil company fired me because I didn't buy enough oil last year!

 

[freddypd]

Is the fan on?

With the fan off I get a whistling sound. Not sure if it is there with the fan off, since the fan is kinda loud.

How important is it to seal the flue? Should I attempt it? Should I call the installer back?

 

[raybonz]

With the fan off I get a whistling sound. Not sure if it is there with the fan off, since the fan is kinda loud.

How important is it to seal the flue? Should I attempt it? Should I call the installer back?

Fred when the chimney is hot it creates a pretty strong vacuum and any tiny leak will create the whistling sound. If you're really worried about this seal the pipe joints with furnace cement. Smoke will not enter your home because of the sound you're hearing..

Ray

 

[etiger2007]

Love the install, I too sealed up my appliance connector and ss liner with cement never an issue. I think I will insulate the top portion of my liner before it gets too cold , how much of yours did he insulate?

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

You can do a smoke test with an incense stick or something. If you find a leak somewhere and you are not sure if you can seal it with furnace cement, post pix and they will tell you.

 

[corey21]

Nice work.

 

[Billybonfire]

I hear whistling. Is that because the liner wasn't sealed? Door gasket? Bad draft? It definitely seems loudest at the top vent.

Hi Freddy, thought I would comment as my stove makes a slight whistling sound because it has a strong draft, yours may be similar thing.
Does it whistle when you close the air down ?.
I find it quite useful and use the whistle as an indicator when fully up to temp, closing the air down till whistle is just gone, find this is best setting for those lazy flames

Great looking fire you got there.

Billy.

 

[raybonz]

Yup Bill pretty much what I was attempting to convey here.. I guess when you're new to wood burning you have the fear of the unknown?

Ray

 

[Puffins]

Looks great! We just had this same insert installed last month. I've burned about 5 nights so far and have had great results - each time an improvement as I get to know the stove. It got down to mid-30s last night and I stuffed it before bed with large birch and white pine splits at about 11pm. I shut the intake down completely too. I woke up at 6:00 and the blower was still going (it shut off about 10 minutes later). Looking forward to seeing how it does with oak!

 

[weatherguy]

Nice looking unit Freddy, one of my favorite inserts lookwise, you should save a ton on oil this year. My BK whistles too because I have a strong draft, the whistle comes from the air intake. If your draft is strong it may be the same thing. I did seal my connection with furnace cement.

 

[freddypd]

Hi Freddy, thought I would comment as my stove makes a slight whistling sound because it has a strong draft, yours may be similar thing.
Does it whistle when you close the air down ?.
I find it quite useful and use the whistle as an indicator when fully up to temp, closing the air down till whistle is just gone, find this is best setting for those lazy flames

Great looking fire you got there.

Billy.

I will check the noise tonight with the air down. Strong draft is a good thing right?

Last night was really cool. We had our first after break in fire and the whole family sat around and watched the flames dance around. It is not even that cold right now, but I had to do another fire just for the heck of it.