wood-burning fireplace insert recommendations?

[elkboy]

Hey all- nothing to do with hunting, but I figure a bunch of outdoors types like you all would have some expertise on this question. 

I just purchased a home with a fireplace in good condition.  We like fires in the fireplace, but I just grit my teeth when I think of 95% of the heat (or so) going up the chimney.  And so, I am thinking of a wood stove fireplace insert (with a blower, maybe?)

Do any of you all have advice, recommendations, ideas?   Thank you as always, Hunt-WA! 

[Roundhead]

I am happy with my Lopi.

[JJB11B]

what kind of prices are we looking at? I have the same question as the OP

[fish vacuum]

Do you have a brick fireplace or is it a pre-fab unit? If it's a pre-fab unit then your options are more limited. Not all pre-fabs allow an insert to be installed, and not all inserts are OK'd for pre-fabs.
New wood stoves/inserts need dry wood and a chimney liner.

[Buckmark]

2nd the Lopi units and for sure get the blower.
At first i thought i would not and did not use the blower, i wanted he cheapest heat i could get, then after using the blower a few times it rocks for knocking the chill off fast once the stove gets warm, then either turn it down to low or off.

[JJB11B]

In my case it is a brick fireplace and has a ceramic tile lined chimney

[elkboy]

Thank you!  I will be checking into the Lopi for sure.

It is a brick chimney, very clean.  I would spend up to $1,500. 

[b23]

When I was a kid, early 80's, my dad bought an insert for our fireplace, don't quote me on it but I think it was a Welenco or Walenco it was something like that, and we heated the entire house with it.  Our thermostat was the front door because even in the dead of winter, we'd have to occasionally open the front door because it be so freaking hot in the front room.  It had multiple tubes that were in the shape of a U and a fan blew air through them.  It actually worked better when I didn't clean all of the ash out and I left the ash at nearly tube height.  The ash acted like an insulation around the tubes.  My dad used to get pizzed at me if I cleaned it out to well.  That was about the ONLY time I ever got in trouble for cleaning something to well. lol

Like any fireplace, the type of wood you use has a lot to do with it and all we ever used was oak.  I'd have to clean the ash out of it about every other week but that stuff burned like coal, slowwww and HOT!

[fish vacuum]

Depending on how tall your chimney is, you're probably looking at $400 or more just for a liner if you do the install yourself.

[splitshot]

  I got a quadrafire and they are overpriced.  I should have got the next bigger one than model 3100.   goota have a blower and burn good wood that doesn't stink.  I burn lots of orchard wood.  wood that stinks would be; willow, elm, Russian olive and a few others.  good luck.  mike w

[JJB11B]

Depending on how tall your chimney is, you're probably looking at $400 or more just for a liner if you do the install yourself.

Hopefully because it is a single story it wont be so bad.....

[elkboy]

Our chimney goes from the middle floor up through the top floor, and then through an attic section. 
So I take it the liner is a necessary item? 

One big advantage is our fireplace is in the dead center of the house, so hopefully it will be a pretty efficient setup for heating...

And thanks to all of you for your input.  Hunt-WA is the best.

[argali]

I have an osburn insert ,I can't say enough good things about it! made in BC, Victoria I believe really heavy,5/16 steel weighs about 500 lbs very well made and cost less than other inserts

[baker5150]

Our chimney goes from the middle floor up through the top floor, and then through an attic section. 
So I take it the liner is a necessary item? 

One big advantage is our fireplace is in the dead center of the house, so hopefully it will be a pretty efficient setup for heating...

And thanks to all of you for your input.  Hunt-WA is the best.

Lopi are one of the best.  A liner is a must, no getting away from it. 1500 won't get you a Lopi new.  If you find one used and need a liner let me know. I can get them wholesale.  Lots of inserts on the web used. Just check for cracks around the vent collar.   Blowers are awesome.  But you do need an outlet, obviously.

[JJB11B]

How much would it cost to line 24' of chimney? say 6" For materials? here is what I am working with? What are my options here?, I have a double chimney almost Identical to the one pictured. one goes all the way down to my basement and has a metal cap over where the chimney pipe from a basement stove was. I have a stove that I could re-install into the basement but done feel like carting wood all the way down there.

[Zardoz]

I am happy with my Lopi.

Had mine going up 2+ stories using a SS liner. Loved it and almost heated my whole hose @ 2400 sq. ft. This is not the time to scrimp if you want quality. You can do the install yourself if you're handy, and flexible. LOL

[baker5150]

How much would it cost to line 24' of chimney? say 6" For materials? here is what I am working with? What are my options here?, I have a double chimney almost Identical to the one pictured. one goes all the way down to my basement and has a metal cap over where the chimney pipe from a basement stove was. I have a stove that I could re-install into the basement but done feel like carting wood all the way down there.

I'll can look and get you a price tomorrow when I get to my office. You'll need a new cap but it won't effect the basement flue at all.  Most liner kits come with a cap.

[fish vacuum]

A liner is required. They're available from stove shops, hardware/home improvement stores, or online. Some of the online places offer free shipping, which is a good deal for such a bulky item. Modern stoves rely on a strong draft and that draft is supplied by a properly sized flue/liner.
I'm happy with my Lopi but wouldn't shy away from most major brands. If I was doing it again I would take a serious look at Pacific Energy stoves. Lopi uses fire brick for their baffles, and Pacific Energy has a stainless steel baffle. Fire brick baffles are probably used by other brands, but many  use some kind of ceramic fiber board that can warp and wear out. Probably easy to replace, but I like the brick or steel ideas better.
I don't have any experience with catalytic stoves but they are known for getting much longer burns.