Here's our fireplace:
We decided to get glass doors for 2 reasons. 1. Safety for the kids. 2. So we can close them after a fire and keep some of our heat from escaping up the chimney while the flue is open. However, since it's so large we needed custom doors made which are pretty pricey. We had someone come out yesterday to measure and he told us the blower will be incorporated in the door installation. And since our blower is not very efficient, loud and may konk out at any time, we may not want to have the new doors custom fit with this old blower.
Our choices are now: 1. Purchase a new blower along with new doors. 2. Purchase a fireplace insert instead of new doors and blower. The fireplace insert may be a little more expensive, but in the long run may be the better value.
Here's an example of a fireplace insert:
It's technically a wood burning stove inside the fireplace. It will produce a lot more heat than a regular fire will (even with a good blower). It will have longer burn times on the wood, and it's better for the environment. However, we will be trading the open look of logs burning, for a smaller door with the fire inside. Plus this door will get extremely hot, so it's a safety issue with the kids too. But it may save on our heating bill because we can have a good fire burning most of the day on only a few logs.
Leave a comment with your vote. Should we go with a fireplace insert, or get a new blower and doors? A new blower will also help us heat up the room, but if we want it to last a long time we have to keep throwing wood on the fire.
2 comments:
Mark used to have an insert that was designed to heat much of his house and it worked really well and he loved it. heated the whole first floor of his 2 story house. it had 2 doors that opened like french doors, that could be left open for viewing the fire, then closed at night or for efficiency. (also had small glass windows in the doors). The insert did get very hot but they bought a lacy, decorative see through glass and wire screen that served as a reminder to the kids to stay back. you also have a very defined and big brick ledge that will help. so...we vote for the insert. he bets you will heat that huge room, the kitchen, the front play room and even the patio area easily with one! its a big plus you have such open space as in a smaller room, an insert will cook you!
Inserts are likely to be the most efficient. Some can be rigged to burn other fuel sources i.e. pellets or corn. You do loose some of the romance of wood but obtaining the fuel is much more convenient. Gas inserts are certainly the cleanest, but still lack the beauty smell and sound of wood. It is a value judgement that does not have a "right" answer.
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