Looking for a new wood stove insert to heavily supplement heat

[CK1]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new wood stove insert that can supplement my electric heat pump. It's a colonial home that was built in the mid 80's and is about 2500 sq ft. Insulation is decent in the house but it has single pane windows. The chimney is about 28 ft tall and located on one end of the house.

The fireplace opening is about 34 wide by 28 tall. The mantle is 38 inches from the hearth floor (which is my biggest problem). I'm looking for the best unit to fit this space and I like the mantle so I would like to keep it. I've researched a bunch and I think a wood insert is the way to go. I live on about 3 wood acres, so fuel should be fairly accessible as long as I'm willing to put the work into it.

The 3 I've been leaning towards are:

Jotul Rockland 550
Hearthstone Clydesdale
Pacific Alderlea T5

Now, everyone seems to love the Rockland 550, problem being that even with mantle shield it doesn't mean clearence requirements for the mantle. The dealer/installer I had to come look at the fireplace doesn't think the clearence will be a problem, even tho it won't meet minimum specs by Jotul. This makes me a little nervous that he's willing to do that, but maybe it really isn't a problem.

The hearthstone appears to be the biggest firebox I can fit into the fireplace and meet the clearence requirements with the mantle shield of course. I also like the look of it, but the reviews seem to be mixed, I really don't want to have to make modifications to the hearthstone to make it throw more heat. It should either work well from the mfr or not.

I like the pacific energy brand a lot (summit is to big to fit in my fireplace opening). They seem to have a good reputation and everyone seems to like them, but their firebox is a little bit smaller than the hearth stone, and I like the hearthstone look slightly better, but I still like the alderlea.

So any suggestions? It seems hearthstone made a modification to the clydesdale, which maybe makes it better now, it's hard to tell from the reviews. Which would you choose? Any other brands to recommend (I don't like the look of Lopi much).

Thanks!!

 

[Ashful]

The hearthstone appears to be the biggest firebox I can fit into the fireplace and meet the clearence requirements with the mantle shield of course. I also like the look of it, but the reviews seem to be mixed, I really don't want to have to make modifications to the hearthstone to make it throw more heat. It should either work well from the mfr or not.

First, welcome to the forum! Lots of knowledgeable folks here.

Second, if you don't have wood cut / split / stacked already, get on it! Most modern stoves require dry wood, typically 9 months for softwoods and 18 months for hardwoods.

Third, I suspect your insurance agent agrees with your statement above. You're on the right track.

 

[etiger2007]

Have you checked out the Osburn Line By SBI? I bought mine based on all the great reviews although i have yet to use it it is built like a tank and was super easy to hook up. Bad reviews for this company are few and far between for the stoves and customer service.

 

[begreen]

I'd stick with something 3 cu ft. In the PE line, that would be the Summit, not the T5 Alderlea.

At 38", the mantle is very low and will probably need a mod.

 

[FyreBug]

Looks like you are after a cast iron insert. Hearthstone makes a beautiful product.

Whichever way you go, download the manuals from the MFG first to make sure the unit will fit. Buy the biggest one that will fit in your fireplace.

 

[CK1]

@begreen - I like the summit, but the opening required is 35 inches while my fireplace opening is 34. So my thinking was the T5 Alderlea would be the next biggest insert from PE at 2.1 cu ft

@fyrebug - Yes, definitely like the cast iron look, especially from Hearthstone and Jotul, and my goal is trying to get the biggest one that will fit in there. The Clydesdale is 2.4 cu ft, which seems to be one of the bigger ones around that will still fit the opening of my fireplace.

 

[begreen]

If the Jotul C550 will fit, that would be my first choice for a classic looking 3 cu ft large insert. Also check out the Enviro Boston or Venice 1700 at 2.5 cu ft.

 

[velvetfoot]

The Hampton 300HI could fit the bill as well - 2.3 ft3 and cast iron look.