Made a Decision on Fireplace Insert

BISCUT

BISCUT

Joined
Dec 28, 2011
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Originally I was researching a wood stove insert for my fireplace. I was speaking to a tech who was really knowledgeable. In the past, I saw gas log arrangements as decorative and not functional. Boy, I was wrong. I ended up with this: https://mendotahearth.com/mymendota/index.php?m=19. Wide open, simple view, with the bronze border.

80%+ Efficiency, no mess or hassle with wood. Adjustable thermostat kicking out 13-31k BTU's. A cord of wood delivered by me is north of $225. I have three 100lb Propane tanks less than 10ft from the fireplace chase. Interested to see what the cost of LP for the year ends up. I see it coming out relatively equal for 3 cords wood and of course, a lot less labor and clean up. So, LP is a no brainer in this situation. I use LP for cooktop, dryer, and a 16kw Generator.

Looking forward to it.
 
I had some fake logs but took them out and replaced with a green fireplace stone. It has a fan so it throws some heat but it's basically just for decoration. We use it on the weekends for romantic interludes.
 
Leo99 said:
I had some fake logs but took them out and replaced with a green fireplace stone. It has a fan so it throws some heat but it's basically just for decoration. We use it on the weekends for romantic interludes.
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I needed the heat. I have oil and while heavily insulated, I liked the idea of something more efficient than what, 35/40% fireplace?

I am a bit jealous, "romantic interludes" is a wide-open statement! Have at it, tiger!
 
As a kid I lived in a much colder area and I was the designated log fetcher for our wood burning stove in the basement. For some reason I miss it, I want a wood stove. Wife says it puts off too much dust and dry heat....so I will just have to wait until maybe someday I can convince her to move to the mountains where we would "need" a wood stove.
 
Barkleymut said:
As a kid I lived in a much colder area and I was the designated log fetcher for our wood burning stove in the basement. For some reason I miss it, I want a wood stove. Wife says it puts off too much dust and dry heat....so I will just have to wait until maybe someday I can convince her to move to the mountains where we would "need" a wood stove.
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Wood stoves have a certain romance to them for sure. Something about the cast iron water filled vessel on top to add humidity to the air and the smell that get ya.
 
In NY I LOVED our wood fireplace and just about every house I lived in. Moved down south to a new home with a natural gas fireplace.
I was like, ok, first of all, why a fireplace in the south? Well we found out, it gets cold here in the winter and the builder would not discount if we didnt want it.

So I like it now, watch a movie on a super cold weekend, flip a switch gas logs come to life. If we had wood being we do live in the south I cant say I would be wanting to start a fire all the time, it has to be really cold outside.

There is one HUGE benefit over a traditional fireplace here and its only happened once in 15 years and only for 4 hours, *LOL* the power went out in the middle of a winter night one time, I flipped the switch and the gas logs magically came to life, almost instant heat. Thing is that was like, 10 years ago, haven't lost power for more then an hour since at any time of year..

I am SURE it is not as efficient as the OP, its a builder supplied Superior outside vented unit. But it does have the glass sealed front and top and bottom vents for "heatilator"type performance so more efficient then a regular fireplace for sure.
 
alarmguy said:
In NY I LOVED our wood fireplace and just about every house I lived in. Moved down south to a new home with a natural gas fireplace.
I was like, ok, first of all, why a fireplace in the south? Well we found out, it gets cold here in the winter and the builder would not discount if we didnt want it.

So I like it now, watch a movie on a super cold weekend, flip a switch gas logs come to life. If we had wood being we do live in the south I cant say I would be wanting to start a fire all the time, it has to be really cold outside.

There is one HUGE benefit over a traditional fireplace here and its only happened once in 15 years and only for 4 hours, *LOL* the power went out in the middle of a winter night one time, I flipped the switch and the gas logs magically came to life, almost instant heat. Thing is that was like, 10 years ago, haven't lost power for more then an hour since at any time of year..

I am SURE it is not as efficient as the OP, its a builder supplied Superior outside vented unit. But it does have the glass sealed front and top and bottom vents for "heatilator"type performance so more efficient then a regular fireplace for sure.
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Key you mention is outside venter. I was surprised to hear some are vented in a manner I wouldn't want for my family (CO2 worries).

I grew up with a fireplace and still love the real deal; the glow, the smell, etc...This was a decision made of heating efficiency and low maintenance.
 
BISCUT said:
Key you mention is outside venter. I was surprised to hear some are vented in a manner I wouldn't want for my family (CO2 worries).

I grew up with a fireplace and still love the real deal; the glow, the smell, etc...This was a decision made of heating efficiency and low maintenance.
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Ohhhh I agree with you 100% as far as the real deal just not practical for where we live and stage of our lives. I loved it in my NY homes and that of friends and family.

Yes again, I don’t like those non vented gas fireplaces, gives me an uneasy feeling too.
Ours actually has a zero clearance chimney? Double wall 6 to 8 inch ish flue right through the roof of the house.
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BTU's seem pretty low. I always thought Inserts where way more efficient. My wood stove puts out 95,000 BTU's and I can't even get it anywhere near that or I would have to go stay in my 5th wheel in the hanger! I have a wood stove out there too. The thing would get my house 110F. As it is I have to be careful to keep it under 75/78. The only time I can really burn a "Mid" mild 24 hour fire is in December and January.
 
Update is due! I'm a weather geek and have a pretty sound weather station. My coldest temp where I live (in the 18th year) has been -10/-11 IIRC. We had many a night in the negatives and a few days right around the -9 mark with many -5's this winter. I have an externally framed chase that is rather wide so no issue with the venting of the stove (Mendota). Install was less than 2hrs and no issues. Hardest part was me breaking up some fire brick in the actual fireplace to make room for the stove.

I was worried about the BTU's and the size of the house. 3 Floors with about 1250 sq ft each floor. This includes a walk-out basement. Gas insert carried the second floor kitchen, living room, dining room to 65F on setting 3 of 6 and fan on 3 of 6 most days. The subzero days setting 4 fan 4 kept the 65F.

Enter the basement pellet stove. I had an old stove in the basement that had the mother board die and there are no replacements. Took 6 weeks longer to ship the new pellet stove due to the messy cargo ship delays. It has been installed and putting out heat daily since the last few days of January. Pellet stove is a 13.5k BTU on low. On low constant, it eats a 40lb bag in 20 hours. Results, the gas insert is a dream! Sips LP and so easy to use. Fake logs are ok. Running thermostat mode works rather well, as it should. Pellet stove makes a huge difference.

The combination of the basement pellet and the gas insert have me using very little oil. I did build my home myself and insulated heavily. The basement has 5/8 sheetrock and I insulated thinking kids and noise as the basement is where they are a lot!! Pellet stove on lowest setting keeps the basement section in the mid 70's. That is HOT for us!! I grew up in New England and 64/65F was winter heat. Using the pellet stove at $5.60 a bag for hardwood pellets and the gas insert late afternoon when the sun has moved to the front of the house; saved us in the area of 300 to 400 gallons of oil. It is early to know for sure. But oil here is over $4 a gallon and that was weeks prior to Russian invasion of Ukraine.

My early take so far, gas insert is worth it but I miss the ambiance of a "real" fire. Can't replace that. BUT at this point, I am glad I made the move. While I'm not the biggest fan of pellet stoves, it works and in combo with the gas insert has 2/3'rds of my home heating taken care of. BTU sizing has worked out well.
 
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KneeGrinder said:
BTU's seem pretty low. I always thought Inserts where way more efficient. My wood stove puts out 95,000 BTU's and I can't even get it anywhere near that or I would have to go stay in my 5th wheel in the hanger! I have a wood stove out there too. The thing would get my house 110F. As it is I have to be careful to keep it under 75/78. The only time I can really burn a "Mid" mild 24 hour fire is in December and January.
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I first looked heavily into a coal stove. I have 3 friends who have them in a 3k+ multifloor homes. All 3 have issues controlling the heat and complain of the start up process. My close friend has a wife and 2 girls. Me, him as well prefer 62-65 for sleeping. He tells me once that thing gets going he can't stop it and opens his bedroom window at night because it's like an inferno :ROFLMAO: I get what you mean.

I was worried as well but I have oil to take up the slack if needed. For me, the combo of the gas insert and the pellet stove are just right for my climate.
 
Do you have a way to run a fan that would pull heat from the basement to the upper floors? It wouldn’t have to be a big fan either.
 
PimTac said:
Do you have a way to run a fan that would pull heat from the basement to the upper floors? It wouldn’t have to be a big fan either.
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I am using 2 ceiling fans on low, in upward mode. Bounces the heat off the ceiling enough it moves up the stairs into the living room and kitchen.

My middle floor is open floor plan. Kitchen, dining room, study, living room, and bathroom. Only a entry closet and bathroom have a door.
 
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