High efficiency fireplace or wood stove

[begreen]

Time to get out of the classroom teach and into the real world.

Since when does an insert burn less efficient than the equivalent stove? The PE Super certainly posts the same numbers. The OP also made clear he wants no freestanding stove, so differences in heat distribution won't matter.

There's a notable difference in heating efficiency vs combustion efficiency. To note the difference in heating efficiency between a freestanding stove and an insert try turning off the blower for a week on the insert. An insert and a ZC fireplace require a blower to achieve good heating efficiency. This is particularly true with flush faced inserts. Most if not all ZC fireplaces are flush faced.

 

[Grisu]

Time to get out of the classroom teach and into the real world.


There's a notable difference in heating efficiency vs combustion efficiency. Have you experienced the difference in heating efficiency between a freestanding stove and an insert? Try turning off the blower for a week on your insert to experience the difference.

I do that and my insert heats my home quite well even without the blower on. And maybe you can come for a visit one morning and experience the radiant heat coming from my masonry fireplace. I would be surprised if the PE Super stove would still give off that amount of heat more than 12 hours after reloading. I had days when I did not fire the insert back up again before close to noon because we still got so much heat from the brick.

Plus, it is beside the point. The OP wants to encase his woodburning appliance in stone. Given that he is not interested in a freestanding stove, I was not talking about differences in heating efficiencies between stoves and ZC fireplaces but whether the two are comparable in combustion efficiency.

 

[BrotherBart]

Grisu what did you mean when you said some buck stoves double like ZC fireplaces ?

Yeah. Interested in that one myself. Most of Buck's stoves can be inserted into a ZC, but I would like to know which ones can bu

 

[begreen]

I do that and my insert heats my home quite well even without the blower on. And maybe you can come for a visit one morning and experience the radiant heat coming from my masonry fireplace. I would be surprised if the PE Super stove would still give off that amount of heat more than 12 hours after reloading. I had days when I did not fire the insert back up again before close to noon because we still got so much heat from the brick.

Plus, it is beside the point. The OP wants to encase his woodburning appliance in stone. Given that he is not interested in a freestanding stove, I was not talking about differences in heating efficiencies between stoves and ZC fireplaces but whether the two are comparable in combustion efficiency.

PE inserts are designed that way. Part of their advantage is that they project out onto the hearth. Not all inserts are designed that way. For example, this is not true with a flush insert or zc fireplace. Heating efficiency is important if the goal is heating the house. A stove can be burning perfectly cleanly but if that heat is not getting into the house then what is the point? Ambience?

 

[Grisu]

Yeah. Interested in that one myself. Most of Buck's stoves can be inserted into a ZC, but I would like to know which ones can bu

That is what it says of the Buck 80 ZC on the Buck website:

"Our Model 80 ZC is perfect for your new construction or remodeling project. The Model 80 ZC will save the expense of a masonry fireplace while enjoying all the warmth and efficiency of a Buck Stove."

They use(d) to make a cabinet where you could place the Buck insert and install it as a ZC fireplace: (broken link removed to http://www.newbucksweep.com/BuckStoveImages/Wood%20and%20Coal%20Stoves%20ZC/model80zc.pdf) However, since there is no mentioning of that cabinet on their website, that option seems not to be available anymore. Hence, the Buck would be out of contention when the look of a fireplace is desired. A dedicated ZC fireplace is a better option anyway than trying to somehow make a stove work as a fireplace. I should not have mentioned the Buck in the first place. I doubt it is what the OP is looking for anyway.

 

[Grisu]

PE inserts are designed that way. Part of their advantage is that they project out onto the hearth. Not all inserts are designed that way. For example, this is not true with a flush insert or zc fireplace. Heating efficiency is important if the goal is heating the house. A stove can be burning perfectly cleanly but if that heat is not getting into the house then what is the point? Ambience?

That is our setup; there is a stairwell behind the fireplace:

There is now the PE Super insert in there with block-off plate and Roxul above that. Where exactly should the heat go when I don't use the blower (regardless of insert model)? How does a masonry heater work then when a blower is needed for optimal heating efficiency?

 

[begreen]

That is an interior insert. For a flush zc fireplace on an exterior wall (typical) the heat is often lost up the flue or chase.

 

[webby3650]

I really think the FPX will be way too much heat for you. The FPX isn't even comparable to other ZC units in my opinion. They are incredible heaters, combine that with the positive pressure blower system, I think it will blow you out of that house!
It will take up a massive area in a corner as well. It's also the most expensive, by far. A much smaller, cheaper unit would do the job just fine.

 

[Flboy]

Well I can't believe my luck. I was talking to a friend today about all this and come to find out he actually has a FPX unit with brick around it. FPX I'm assuming is the fireplace xtrordinair? Anyway he has the Elite 36. He said I can go look at it sometime next week. By the way heating efficiency is important to me.

 

[webby3650]

Well I can't believe my luck. I was talking to a friend today about all this and come to find out he actually has a FPX unit with brick around it. FPX I'm assuming is the fireplace xtrordinair? Anyway he has the Elite 36. He said I can go look at it sometime next week. By the way heating efficiency is important to me.

It's the Cadillac of fireplaces! I Just can't believe there would be any possible need for it in Florida. If its operated properly with seasoned wood, it heats like crazy! I just installed one today as a matter of fact.

 

[HotCoals]

Maybe the Florida Bungalow deal will kick in for him..lol.

 

[begreen]

RSF makes some good heaters too. When in SLC I remember walking past an RSF Delta2 and being very impressed with the heat radiating off of it.