Pellet stove advice needed.

[charlz]

I've got to believe you're also warmer. We keep our house at 64 most of the time in the winter. that takes us 4 to 5 250 gal tanks per year. I was hoping to save on the cost of propane and get warmer. Seems to me from what everyone here is saying I should be able to accomplish both. I'll have to go back and check with the dealers again.

One of the problems is that we have a propane fireplace and that's where i want to put the pellet stove. The fireplace is a zero clearance unit and everyone shys away from an installation due to not being able to place an insert in the opening and the cost of reconstructing the opening for a floor model.

Thank you for the input.

Well it is a different heat... my propane is the central furnace so it does a better job of eliminating cold spots. The pellet being central in the living room I run ceiling fans in the whole house and one stand up fan downstairs to move air around. The temp varies with the outside temp, I keep my thermostat set a 71 and if it is above freezing it will easily maintain that. When the temps get into the teens it can't maintain it, particularly at night. My house is 3000 sq feet and not that tight and if it were I would expect much better temp leveling.

I replaced my zero clearance fireplace with a Quadrafire 1200i insert configured to be 'stand alone' but inserted in the same place (fireplace removed). This meant adding sheet metal around it and a spacer under it, all available from the manufacture. I had to build up the floor inside the space to get it even with the existing tile hearth and then re-tile the surround to get the hole small enough to fit behind the facing that goes around the stove. Wasn't really that bad, some cement board and tile/grout.

Can you re-use your propane vent pipe or does it need to be replaced? I am thinking it probably needs to be replaced with pellet rated pipe. What about outside air? That is a handy thing as the pellet stove will not draw air from inside the house.

Charles

 

[BizDoc]

Thank you. That was actually very helpful. I googled your insert and came up with the company, & their inserts, which states they will work in a Zero clearance fireplace. I found three dealers, one which is closest only sells, and two others who may be able to sell and install. I'll have to make a few calls to see what they can do.

Your insert is very attractive and still gives a nice fireplace look with the open windows to the flame.