How to make my old stove more efficient

[1RIESEN]

We bought our 1958 home early 2023. I have an old fireplace and have no idea what kind (anybody know?) it is but I don't have the money to replace it so I am looking to make it more efficient. We had power outage for 3 days last winter and without the fan underneath, we didn't get much radiant heat. It wasn't until I plugged the fan into a generator that we got some heat but not much. The fan is not the quietest and needs lube and cleaning probably or I may buy a replacement if there is one with similar style and dimensions.

I am looking into putting an 8" flex liner and insulation in due to the clay being cracked. Right now the chimney height is at about 14.5'. I am not sure if this is the way to go but even if I were to get a new one down the road, the liner with insulation would be a must.

Estimates I have gotten were at about 9k for the FPX Medium Flush Nex-gen Hybrid and similar

When I took the old one out, there was heavy creosote and I had herd previous owner had fire coming out of chimney at times.
This will be a diy project and I do know that I will have to bust out some brick due to the opening being about 5"×32" and from what I've read here, the flex liner isn't very flexible but am confident in my diy skills if that is the route to take
Any advice out there for me?

Happy burning,

Mark Riesen
New berlin, WI

 

[begreen]

Save money and put in a 6" liner instead. That will cover about 98% of inserts on the market and will be easier to install. It should be insulated.

Skip flush inserts if the concern is about heating without power. Look at Century and Drolet inserts for a better price. Or Osburn or Pacific Energy for the next step up.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

To me a 8'' chimney is a waste of good $$$$, 8 inch chimneys were used 40 years ago and no stove manufacturers have engineered their products with 8'' chimneys in the past 25+ years, modern day products have 6 inch chimneys . If at all possible for optimum efficiency, performance and SAFETY consider perhaps a good used product with 6 inch exhaust outlet and a new 6 inch insulated chimney liner, you will recuperate your investment quickly and be happy you did.

 

[kborndale]

To me a 8'' chimney is a waste of good $$$$, 8 inch chimneys were used 40 years ago and no stove manufacturers have engineered their products with 8'' chimneys in the past 25+ years, modern day products have 6 inch chimneys . If at all possible for optimum efficiency, performance and SAFETY consider perhaps a good used product with 6 inch exhaust outlet and a new 6 inch insulated chimney liner, you will recuperate your investment quickly and be happy you did.

There are a few large new stoves out there that run on an 8" exhaust but yes majority are 6".

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

There are a few large new stoves out there that run on an 8" exhaust but yes majority are 6".

Agree, however the majority of stoves/inserts manufactured are 6'' . The 8 inch'ers are negligible.

 

[begreen]

Agree, however the majority of stoves/inserts manufactured are 6'' . The 8 inch'ers are negligible.

Agreed it's not needed. However, for maximum capacity or for a big stove that can run with a screen in fireplace mode, 8" is still required. The Blaze King King, Buck 91, Regency 5200, and VC Defiant all take 8" flue.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

Begreen I am aware of that, my point is out of the 100's of available stoves / inserts etc. available out there a handful or so have 8'' exhausts.
Your Alderlea T6 capable of heating 3000 sq. ft is the perfect example of a large capacity stove with a 6'' outlet. The last stove I owned with a 8'' exhaust was a Campagnard made in Waterloo Quebec purchased new back in 1982. That company closed in 90's as they did not have the $$ to spend on R&D for newer less polluting product.

 

[begreen]

It all depends on the customer needs and the home. Our T6 is in an old 2000 sq ft farmhouse with too many windows. It would not be able to heat the house in the depths of a Quebec winter but does ok here. In NE Canada, I'd be either looking for a wood furnace or a stove with a bigger belly and higher output than the T6.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

I am heating 1500 sq. ft with my PE Spectrum Classic, 1986 home, 6'' thick walls R20 insulation, R40 in the ceiling, way too much glass although the windows and doors have all been updated. We do not get as much of the -20° to -30° as we did 50-60 years ago we still do get up to approx. 8 -15 days in the -18° -22° area. Being in my 70's cutting/splitting/stacking firewood is not very appealing anymore, starting to be a bit of a chore, therefore I just had a multi-zone heat pump installed last week to conserve my body as the years go on. Still enjoy a good fire however and there really is no heat like the caressing heat of a fire.

Wood furnaces not popular here, I do not believe many 3000+ sq. ft capable wood burning appliances are sold for homes anyways.
Super insulated homes have been the thing here since the 1980's.

 

[begreen]

Our home with 2x4 walls and no sheathing is the opposite. Just sayin' that a big bellied stove that requires an 8" flue is not out of the question for homes in the need. That's why they are still made and sold by multiple manufacturers.

 

[EbS-P]

There are a few large new stoves out there that run on an 8" exhaust but yes majority are 6".

And by few I bet you can’t name more than 4
Seriously it can’t be more than 6.

Edit

Agreed it's not needed. However, for maximum capacity or for a big stove that can run with a screen in fireplace mode, 8" is still required. The Blaze King King, Buck 91, Regency 5200, and VC Defiant all take 8" flue.

 

[begreen]

The EPA changes in 2020 killed some more brands. It's harder to make a large stove pass all the tests. In that list also was the Country Canyon 310, Hearthstone Equinox , and Kuma Sequoia,

These large stoves are particularly favored by homeowners with > 3000 sq ft homes.

 

[1RIESEN]

I have about 1900 sq ft. So perhaps going down to a 6" is best. I did have the whole house insulated but the insert is next to old patio doors which means it's the coldest room in the house. I was only looking for an 8" because that is what I have for the old one. So is there an 8-6" adapter or should I just get a different one. I like the idea of being able to cook off of one and be good for poeer outage too but not sure if I would like it sticking out so far. I would guess there is more radiant heat with the inserts that stick out.

 

[begreen]

I have about 1900 sq ft. So perhaps going down to a 6" is best. I did have the whole house insulated but the insert is next to old patio doors which means it's the coldest room in the house. I was only looking for an 8" because that is what I have for the old one. So is there an 8-6" adapter or should I just get a different one. I like the idea of being able to cook off of one and be good for poeer outage too but not sure if I would like it sticking out so far. I would guess there is more radiant heat with the inserts that stick out.

I am looking into putting an 8" flex liner and insulation in due to the clay being cracked.

6" inserts are much more common. Sorry if I got this wrong. It sounded like the liner was still under consideration. Did you already install an 8" liner?

 

[1RIESEN]

No, I have not installed anything yet. I have an old insert and if it made a difference for efficiency, I would put I in with a liner. It has an 8" flue