Double sided fire place insert gas or wood

[1930artdeco]

This is our double sided fireplace. Right now on this side we have a wood stove that heats quite well the little family room we have. The other side is an ugly *** gas insert thingy. After we have new floors installed we would like to get rid of both the stove and gas insert.

The question I have is this: what can we put in their places to heat our small family room and the rest of the house in the winter? Also, we have a heat pump so this would be a secondary heat source just to supplement the pump.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what we can do? Split wood on one side gas on the other? Insert that covers both sides? Gas or wood pros/cons?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[billconner]

I like pellet stoves for ease of service but not sure if there are double sided. Obviously there are double sided gas, and they have improved a lot. I think you need to go to a good stove and fireplace shop and look at displays.

 

[fitter30]

Didn't mention type of flooring? Tile? Electric radiate heat with floor sensor thermostat. There is no better heat. Had this in my family room would call the wife on my way home could be working outside come home lay on the floor Heaven.

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[HoosierBuddy]

I'm with billconner. You're going to have to go somewhere and look.

What you have right now appears to be a wood burning fireplace that was later converted for use. If so, you could have the flue professionally inspected, and if no issues go back to burning wood. Wood burning fireplaces are on the order of 10% efficient...but with enough wood...you can get some heat.

Think through what you are attempting to do with "supplemental" heat. Are you wanting something that will help keep the house warm when the heat pump can't keep up? Are you wanting something that can takeover for the heat pump if the power goes out? If the second, do you have a backup generator or do you need something that doesn't require any power to use?

If you know those answers before you go to a fireplace or "hearth" store, you should get started in the right direction.

For occasional, supplemental heat, vent free gas works for me. But it isn't a full time solution (or at least it never should be used that way)...and may not have the "look" you want.

 

[BillK]

Is it two separate flues or just one ?