Hey All,
I've been lurking here for months as I've been trying to figure out what to do in order to get wood heat for our new home. The home is about 21 yrs old and has an old pre-fab zero clearance fireplace that was converted to gas. Unfortunately neither the fireplace nor the metal chimney (wood structure surround) are suitable for a woodstove insert. The home is heated with LP gas and thats very expensive, I have unlimited access to wood and I grew up on wood heat, so I really wanted to do something quickly.
So my options were to build a new masonry chimney/wood insert OR install a new zero-clearance stove and install a new triple wall metal chimney inside the existing chase. After comparing the prices it's roughly 2-3k more for the masonry chimney & woods stove combo, than the zero clearance option. So we decided to go with the masonry chimney becase I felt safer about it, it looks better, AND it allows me to put a thimble in my basement for a stove down there someday.
So now for my questions:
Is there any way I can design the chimney for optimal efficiency? I'm thinking of adding a custom built blower or convection around the firebox to circulate air (in addition to the stove). Essentially some grates at the floor level and then at the top of the firebox to circulate air. Anyone have links or experience with this?
Also, I've narrowed it down the Jotul C550 Rockland vs. Hearthstone Clydesdale any exerience/recomendations here?
thanks!
Ed
I've been lurking here for months as I've been trying to figure out what to do in order to get wood heat for our new home. The home is about 21 yrs old and has an old pre-fab zero clearance fireplace that was converted to gas. Unfortunately neither the fireplace nor the metal chimney (wood structure surround) are suitable for a woodstove insert. The home is heated with LP gas and thats very expensive, I have unlimited access to wood and I grew up on wood heat, so I really wanted to do something quickly.
So my options were to build a new masonry chimney/wood insert OR install a new zero-clearance stove and install a new triple wall metal chimney inside the existing chase. After comparing the prices it's roughly 2-3k more for the masonry chimney & woods stove combo, than the zero clearance option. So we decided to go with the masonry chimney becase I felt safer about it, it looks better, AND it allows me to put a thimble in my basement for a stove down there someday.
So now for my questions:
Is there any way I can design the chimney for optimal efficiency? I'm thinking of adding a custom built blower or convection around the firebox to circulate air (in addition to the stove). Essentially some grates at the floor level and then at the top of the firebox to circulate air. Anyone have links or experience with this?
Also, I've narrowed it down the Jotul C550 Rockland vs. Hearthstone Clydesdale any exerience/recomendations here?
thanks!
Ed