New Construction Questions- Zero Clearance Fireplace

[begreen]

Early tube stoves had steel tubes. If you burned 24/7 you might need to replace them every 7 or so years. Not so with the current stainless tubes that I've seen so far. If you are burning 24/7 for heat most of the winter the stove will eventually need some replacement parts, most often it is firebrick and for some stoves the baffle boards.

 

[Dave A.]

Some of the better wood stove inserts claim efficiencies into the 80%'s certainly higher than the 70% + of the fpx's you linked to. Something about the idea of bringing outside air into the blower system of the fireplace doesn't seem like a good idea to me, especially in a new tight house where there aren't going to be lots of air leaks. OAK's (outside air kits) are one thing, you should have that, but additional outside air to distribute the heat from the fireplace doesn't sound right to me and I can't help suspect that this posi system with it's ouside air is causing the drop in efficiency. Also am a little suspicious of an air cooled flue vs. the more standard class A chimney.

 

[Grisu]

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I went and visited Chimney King in Plano yesterday to get some cost ideas, and after going over our floorplan the rep suggested we consider the Fireplace Xtrordinair 36. He said the Posi-Pressure system would reliably heat our entire house with no ducting or backup heat. Obviously I'm somewhat dubious, though every review I've read has been glowing. He quoted me $6500 installed with tax, which is a bit over budget but still in the realm of possibility.

So what day ye, is he shooting me straight or, pardon the pun, blowing smoke up my rear? Does the posi-pressure system really work that much better than a conventional blower system?

In addition to potentially pushing warm air out of the house, I am also wondering how it will affect humidity. By warming up cold air from the outside and blowing it into the house, the relative humidity of that air will drop, potentially making for pretty dry room air. Since you are in the building/planning phase of your home you may have access to an HVAC expert. Why not ask him/her about their thoughts?

The salesman also told me, and I quote, "If a BMW is a 10 and a 1 is banged together with rocks in South Sudan, the Osburn stoves are around a 4".

I hate such unspecific dissing of competitors. If they give a real reason (like: "Our steel is thicker than XYZs."), ok that's an info I can use. But just talking down other options is a big no-no in my book. Fortunately, it sounds like you feel similar and you will keep looking around. Take a look the PE FP30. That baffle is really solid and PE offers one free replacement over the lifetime of the stove (at least for its stoves). Also no catalyst if you would prefer one without. Did someone mention the Kozyheat Z42 yet? I think that it would also fit well.

 

[KCG]

There's another fireplace dealership in a small town about 60 miles from me, I'm going to call them today and see what their recommendations are. I have the exact same reservations about unspecific dissing- there are products I don't like but I can tell you exactly why I don't like them. It's really starting to seem like this fellow is just trying to sell me on a more expensive product with no real performance gain.

I'm going to talk with my HVAC guy today too and see what his recommendations are. I'm hoping that with good ducting I can heat bedrooms 2 &3, the great room, dining room, kitchen, and get at least some warmth back into the master. We will be installing a central system for backup but I would like to use it as little as possible. As I mentioned earlier there won't be a vault ceiling in the great room.
(broken image removed)

 

[begreen]

I used Dallas as a search point.

Kozy lists this dealer there:
Hearth House
3200 S. Cooper St. #108
Arlington, TX 76015
Phone: 817-467-4848

Lennox lists these dealers:
(broken link removed)
2001 B West Parker Road
Plano, TX 75023
Phone:972-312-9244
Fax:972-312-0583
(broken link removed)
14511 Industrial Park
Aubrey, TX 76227
Phone:940-365-3675
Fax:940-365-3917

 

[KCG]

I had a good talk with Hearth House this morning, they asked for a copy of my floorplan and said they'd get back to me with a list of recommendations tomorrow or Wednesday depending on how long they were out on an install today.

 

[KCG]

Thought I'd give an update, even if it's a little late...

I went with the Flame Monaco, purchased through efireplacestore.com. They were great to deal with and put together a package deal with all the venting components I needed, plus a few contingency parts that I was able to return later. Installation was very straightforward, I gave my framer the specs, he built the platform, and we slid the unit in. The chimney clicked right in, a little flashing and some high temp silicone and we were rolling. I added a fresh air kit and am very thankful I did. It keeps the great room of the house around 70 even with outside temps in the 20's. Bedrooms and office hover 60-65. I did the stone, barnwood and mantel myself, all the wood came from an 1800's era barn on my property.

I take temp readings through the glass angled up to the top of the airwash lip, normal operating temp is 500-550. The manufacturer said in an email that it would be safe to 900, but that scares the daylights out of me.

Anyway, thanks for all the help in getting this thing figured out. I still read threads pretty often, just not much of a poster.

 

[tcassavaugh]

i like a free standing stove vs a fireplace or insert. would a free standing with the option of a big viewing area scratch the Mrs. itch for fireplace. what is it about fireplaces that she likes or wants to have. is it the fire view? how about one that allows a fire screen?

 

[begreen]

Looks very good KCG. Now, is she happy too? If so, you have a winner.

 

[KCG]

Yes sir she loves it, has me start a fire even when it's warm just because she likes the way it looks.

 

[wantolearn]

Thought I'd give an update, even if it's a little late...

I went with the Flame Monaco, purchased through efireplacestore.com. They were great to deal with and put together a package deal with all the venting components I needed, plus a few contingency parts that I was able to return later. Installation was very straightforward, I gave my framer the specs, he built the platform, and we slid the unit in. The chimney clicked right in, a little flashing and some high temp silicone and we were rolling. I added a fresh air kit and am very thankful I did. It keeps the great room of the house around 70 even with outside temps in the 20's. Bedrooms and office hover 60-65. I did the stone, barnwood and mantel myself, all the wood came from an 1800's era barn on my property.

I take temp readings through the glass angled up to the top of the airwash lip, normal operating temp is 500-550. The manufacturer said in an email that it would be safe to 900, but that scares the daylights out of me.

Anyway, thanks for all the help in getting this thing figured out. I still read threads pretty often, just not much of a poster.

View attachment 171633

KCG, we live in Central Texas (in the Hill Country) and have similar milder winters as you. I almost finalized on Heat & Glo Northstar based on several reviews on this site for our new construction. But I am changing my mind (several reasons - no trustworthy dealers, cost, etc) and considering Flame Monaco. From your post, seems like the installation of the Monaco was easy. We will be doing the installation ourselves too, since I can't seem to find good installers around here. I will have someone else do the surround work.
- Could give me any pointers for installing? Anything that I should be careful about?
- Did you install forced air kits as well?
- Anything you don't like about this unit?
- Do you have any installation photos you could share?

Thanks,
cmg

 

[ElmBurner]

I take temp readings through the glass angled up to the top of the airwash lip, normal operating temp is 500-550. The manufacturer said in an email that it would be safe to 900, but that scares the daylights out of me.

My guess is that 900 deg is meant for the temperature of the steel inside the stove, which is when it will start to glow red and begin to soften.

If your secondaries are going and the inside of your stove looks like the Northern Lights, I can assure you that the air temp in the firebox is well past 550 (or even 900).

 

[KCG]

KCG, we live in Central Texas (in the Hill Country) and have similar milder winters as you. I almost finalized on Heat & Glo Northstar based on several reviews on this site for our new construction. But I am changing my mind (several reasons - no trustworthy dealers, cost, etc) and considering Flame Monaco. From your post, seems like the installation of the Monaco was easy. We will be doing the installation ourselves too, since I can't seem to find good installers around here. I will have someone else do the surround work.
- Could give me any pointers for installing? Anything that I should be careful about?
- Did you install forced air kits as well?
- Anything you don't like about this unit?
- Do you have any installation photos you could share?

Thanks,
cmg

Absolutely, we are very happy with it. Didn't get to burn much this winter, but it still beats paying .15/kwh!

I didn't take any install photos, I was flying to get it done. It was very straightforward though, just follow the directions. Helps to put your pipe in first, block it up, then slide the stove in. It is heavy, you'll need some help to get it lifted into place. The framing diagram is very clear, just follow it and you'll be fine. I didnt do forced air, but if your layout allows for it then it wouldn't hurt. I definitely recommend doing an outside air kit, but don't buy the one they sell as an accessory, you can buy the pieces at any hardware store for $10.