ZC fireplace to alcove conversion

[Stoof]

I know this has been a frequently discussed topic but I currently have a builder grade Heatilator E36 prefab fireplace that I'd like to turn into something to actually heating the home. I have thought about a few ways to do that:

• Replacing the E36 with a Quadrafire Pioneer 2 or 3 and keep the 8" air cooled SL300 chimney pipe.
• Replacing with a newer ZC and replacing the chimney pipe with insulated class A stove pipe
• Turning the exterior chase into an alcove and placing a wood stove

If there was a less expensive ZC fireplace that would be tax credit eligible I would likely go for that but there aren't any candidates. The idea of keeping the existing chimney and just replace with a more efficient ZC fireplace seems interesting since the chimney cost would be avoided, but would be a compromise since I know the chimney system isn't as good as a class A and the ZC fireplace is not as efficient as some of the newer stoves.

That is why I feel like the alcove with wood stove would be my preference. I've been going through a lot of posts here to gain valuable information. Ideally, I'd like the alcove to be as low as possible (to give it that UK stove in fireplace look). I want to use the chase to place the stove as I don't want to push it out into the room to save on space.

That is why I have been specifically looking into more convective stoves which would be more suitable for alcoves, high HHV values to be tax eligible, and focused on distance to combustibles and protected walls and ceilings.

I have found the Jotul 445 Holliday interesting as it is a more convective stove, high efficiency, and has very low alcove ceiling clearance for a protected ceiling. It may, however, not be large enough for our needs. We have over 2500 sq ft of living area and even though the fireplace is in a pretty good spot (fairly open concept downstairs and hallway with stairs to upstairs are fairly close to the fireplace). I just installed a new EPA heat pump but I'd like to use wood heat as much as possible since wood is readily available to me.

The Oslo V3 would probably be a better choice BTU-wise, but it's a radiant stove and the side door cannot be used in an alcove.

However, I've always liked the Blaze King stoves and the long burn times it offers. The ceiling requirements are more typical for alcove installs. However, I was reading the NFPA 211 about reduced clearances and I was surprised to see that with a ventilated air gap, a 50% can be achieved on the ceiling clearance.

BK states in their manual that NFPA 211 can be referenced for reduction in clearances. So if the BK stove has a height of, for example, 32" then, with a properly protected alcove ceiling the total height of the alcove could be as low as 50". Is that the correct way to look at this?

 

[begreen]

The wood stove will need a new class A chimney system if installed. Air cooled chimney pipe is rated for a lower temperature. Most new EPA ZC fireplaces also have this requirement.

Low ceilings in an alcove install bring about clearance requirements. Sometimes there's a workaround, sometimes not, depending on the stove. A tall alcove usually presents a lot less design challenges. Side clearances can be reduced if a) the stove manufacturer has tested and documented them in the manual or b) the stove manual permits reduction per NFPA 211 which is down to 12" with a properly ventilated shielding system. Note that some stoves like the F500 are best used as a side loader which then requires addtional clearance on the side-load side. Did you also consider the Jotul F55?

 

[Stoof]

Thanks @begreen. The F55 doesn't meet the EPA requirements for the tax credit unfortunately. I'd like to take advantage of that as it would essentially cover the new stove pipe.

The BK Sirocco SC20 is a stove that may fit my approx. 50" wide alcove (I believe that is the width based on the opening requirement dimensions of my current ZC unit per the manual.

This is the BK language in that stove's manual:

To me, it sounds like NPFA 211 would apply here. So technically a protected ceiling 18" above the stove would be allowed due to the 50% reduction.

The F500 has a 15" minimum to protected ceilings, so that may be a better choice for my purpose. I just like the way the BK catalytic stoves are so efficient with the long burn times.

The NPFA 211 shows how to install protected walls but doesn't detail how a protected wall and ceiling combination would look like. I will try sketching something up and posting it here in terms of how I imagined it to look like.

 

[xman23]

The 18" to combustible is for single wall pipe. Using double wall all the way up should get you around that. As begreen said opening the alcove to the full ceiling height should help. I believe some stoves don't allow alcove installations. Then side and back clearances just need to be met. Some stoves have a rear guards that reduces that clearances. Watch out for the hearth "R" value. Some are just ember protection, just fire proof material.

 

[begreen]

The BK30 would be a better choice for the larger fuel capacity if it works for clearances. A large stove that qualifies for the tax credit is the Lopi Liberty. Before purchasing, run a drawing of the plan by the manufacturer to get approval for the ceiling clearance details, especially if less than stated in the manual.