Wood burning Fire place conversion

[AllDodge]

Have decided to seal off both fire places and make them either vented (twin pipe) or vent free propane.

Currently have vented gas logs and damper partly open in the great room, and wood burning insert downstairs. Plan to seal the house up this year and install geo thermal HVAC.

Like the higher efficiency of the vent free, but the by products and moisture can be an issue. Going to 80% efficient vented (two pipes) may be the way to go.

Pros/Cons ?

 

[Ironhorse74]

Hi Alldodge, I am in that business. There is no way I would install vent free. Vent free is a lie. It vents into the living area. Health and moisture issues. It is even illegal in some states.

Direct vent gas insert is where you want to go. IPI intermittent pilot ignition is state of the art. The best rating scheme for efficiency is the Canadian seasonal heating efficiency also known as P4. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks

Brad








http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/pml-lmp/index.cfm?action=app.search-recherche&appliance=FIREPLACE_G

 

[AllDodge]

Thanks, The two fireplaces are on top one another. Flew pipe is 12 inch square tile, the one which is lower takes a 45 after it passes the upper. Longest run is about 25 to 30 feet in the flew. Seen several brands and most look alike, prices from 1000 to 3500.

Like a nice one for the great room 30x24x10, so far as the lower, it normally is not used much. Is it best to get a complete unit with install or have someone install it? I installed the current ones.

 

[Ironhorse74]

You do get what you pay for in gas inserts. A big factor is the efficiency. Are you on natural gas or LP? An IPI insert will pay for itself pretty quick on propane. A standing pilot unit won't make much of a difference money wise on natural gas.

It certainly isn't rocket science. You can probably install them yourself.

 

[Toofast28]

I swapped the gas logs for full gas box. Didn't do a slide in as I wanted to demo and reno the fireplace anyways, so I just demo'd then had them come install the direct vent box. Best decision I've made. Costs next to nothing to run, puts out a ton of heat, and all I do is push a button on the remote and it heats the large room up in a few minutes.

Was just under $3k installed with a few options that added a couple hundred bucks.

Mine is electric pilot.

 

[AllDodge]

The fireplace is propane, everything else is electric. Sounds like IPI and direct vent is the way to go, thanks guys