Fireplace insert

[biketopia]

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of cleaning up a fireplace insert to install in our masonry fireplace as a supplement to the propane furnace. The previous owner had one in before we bought but removed it thinking the new owners wouldn't be interested in it.

To keep things on the up and up, I'll be installing a liner. Looking to see if anyone has any recommendations on places to buy said liners, or what to look for in a liner. I see them offered by various places online but can't tell a difference between all the offerings.

 

[imnukensc]

Never saw a need for a liner in a masonry fireplace.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Never saw a need for a liner in a masonry fireplace.

Essential if your fireplace insert is a gas appliance.

Dan

 

[Speed25]

What kind of insert? Wood-burning or gas? If gas, standard vent, or direct vent? The gas fireplace vent pipes have gotten outrageously expensive in recent years.

 

[parttime1017]

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of cleaning up a fireplace insert to install in our masonry fireplace as a supplement to the propane furnace. The previous owner had one in before we bought but removed it thinking the new owners wouldn't be interested in it.

To keep things on the up and up, I'll be installing a liner. Looking to see if anyone has any recommendations on places to buy said liners, or what to look for in a liner. I see them offered by various places online but can't tell a difference between all the offerings.

Amazon sells them. I purchased mine there. Insurance companys want the liners.
Liners increase the efficiency of a wood stove.

 

[jimh406]

I'd check with the insert company to make sure you buy the right size/type. There are round ones and oval ones.

Also unless it's just straight up, do make sure you can make the turns you need.

I agree it's a good idea to do the liner if you are adding an insert. It also makes cleaning easier.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

For your first question, I’d go talk to a local to you stove shop. They most likely have the materials on hand and know how it should work and can answer your questions.

Depending on what you get be sure to check how the warranty works for the liner, if it comes with one. There may be some terms on who may install and / or clean. The one I have has to be cleaned by a professional annually for the warranty to be honored.

Beyond your local building codes / zone requirements, I understand you did not ask, but I’d check with your home insurance agent about that and how coverage will work in the case of a total loss for if you do the install yourself. It’s your castle and money, but id suggest to check on that before getting to happy with the throttle. Quick call to your agent is a once of prevention depending on your area and how your coverage works. YMMV.

Good luck.

 

[Outnumbered]

I found Rockford Chimney Supply to be extremely helpful (I had lots of questions) and reasonably priced (including shipping). I ended up with an insulated liner and cap down to my wood stove after discovering some issues with my old flue liner which was way oversized and led to significant creosote build up each year. I am now using my new liner and it draws a lot better so so far so good.

 

[John T]

I ended up with an insulated liner and cap down to my wood stove after discovering some issues with my old flue liner which was way oversized and led to significant creosote build up each year. I am now using my new liner and it draws a lot better so so far so good.

Never saw a need for a liner in a masonry fireplace.

depends on a few factors... if you have a short run and/or you are always burning hot.... then a mason/clay chimney might be fine.

but if your not burning hot or have a long run, The top of the clay piping never gets hot and thats when creosote starts to build.

A double lined pipe or a liner works much better.

it heats up quicker.

gettin chilly in New England lately....

I've been burning for a few days now.

 

[jyoutz]

T

depends on a few factors... if you have a short run and/or you are always burning hot.... then a mason/clay chimney might be fine.

but if your not burning hot or have a long run, The top of the clay piping never gets hot and thats when creosote starts to build.

A double lined pipe or a liner works much better.

it heats up quicker.

gettin chilly in New England lately....

I've been burning for a few days now.

View attachment 143444 View attachment 143444

True. And it’s very difficult to properly clean an unlined masonry chimney. With a flue liner, it’s easy to open the stovetop damper and run the brush down from the top. All of the soot and creosote goes into the stove for easy removal. Without a liner, the dove has to be slid out of the fireplace opening to remove the sweepings.

 

[biketopia]

Thanks, everyone! It will be a wood-burning insert inside a masonry fireplace. As others said, it was common practice to vent the insert via the chimney directly, but cleaning and operationally they work better with a liner. Also, insurance is going to want a liner, so it's going to get a liner, a small price to pay for added peace of mind and added convenience for cleaning, etc.

I'm going to reach out to my insurance and verify there is no issue, they didn't seem to mind when we told them we had the fireplace, but rather find out now than after. I'll look into Rockford Chimney and see if any of the local spots can offer help. In my area, I've found the local spots cater more to the high-end affluent areas of Northern VA and thus have a much higher operating cost.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't know about "inserts", but when I talked to the inspector when I was putting in our "wood stove", he was very adamant that I use ONLY the piping/elbows that were called out in the installation manual by part number and manufacturer.

He said that ANY deviation from the manual, and he would fail me on the spot.


That sh!t was not cheap neither......

Not sure if thats a "common hang up" or not.

Just a heads up.

 

[mikester]

Thanks, everyone! It will be a wood-burning insert inside a masonry fireplace. As others said, it was common practice to vent the insert via the chimney directly, but cleaning and operationally they work better with a liner. Also, insurance is going to want a liner, so it's going to get a liner, a small price to pay for added peace of mind and added convenience for cleaning, etc.

I'm going to reach out to my insurance and verify there is no issue, they didn't seem to mind when we told them we had the fireplace, but rather find out now than after. I'll look into Rockford Chimney and see if any of the local spots can offer help. In my area, I've found the local spots cater more to the high-end affluent areas of Northern VA and thus have a much higher operating cost.

Our insurance wants to see certified WETT installers installing wood burning appliances. Great idea to check out what your insurers wants to see, easier than getting a nasty letter at renewal time!

Certified Wood Fireplace Inspections: Stay Safe & Compliant

Ensure safe wood burning in Canada with WETT-certified professionals who are trained and qualified to keep your family and property secure

welovefire.com

 

[biketopia]

I spoke with our insurance agent yesterday and was given the green light. As long as a certified contractor does the install was the only caveat. I asked for clarification on the "certified" part and was told any contractor legal for work in my state would satisfy that role, they just needed a copy of the work order. No mention of anything else.

I'm going to do some more shopping online for a liner and some final measuring today to make sure I don't come up short. Hopefully, we will get this thing in and operationing by the end of the year!

 

[jyoutz]

I spoke with our insurance agent yesterday and was given the green light. As long as a certified contractor does the install was the only caveat. I asked for clarification on the "certified" part and was told any contractor legal for work in my state would satisfy that role, they just needed a copy of the work order. No mention of anything else.

I'm going to do some more shopping online for a liner and some final measuring today to make sure I don't come up short. Hopefully, we will get this thing in and operationing by the end of the year!

Typically the business that sells the stove inserts will also carry the liner and do the install.

 

[biketopia]

I'm installing an older Fisher insert, not a new flush mount or zero-clearance unit. Might not technically be as efficient, but the price is MUCH better and I'm only looking to supplement heat in the house on the really cold days. We have central air with a propane furnace, but that gets pricey and I have an abundance of split firewood. It's taken over 3 years to convince the wife to let me get this far with an insert. I can get all the materials for an 8" insulated liner and do the installation with my contractor for about $1500 including the $50 I gave for the insert.

Called my chimney guy who did the inspection and cleaning when we moved in, and he quoted me $2500 for a 6" liner install plus whatever an insert cost. New are well over $1000, he might have a used one he'd sell for the 5-600 range he said.

 

[jyoutz]

I'm installing an older Fisher insert, not a new flush mount or zero-clearance unit. Might not technically be as efficient, but the price is MUCH better and I'm only looking to supplement heat in the house on the really cold days. We have central air with a propane furnace, but that gets pricey and I have an abundance of split firewood. It's taken over 3 years to convince the wife to let me get this far with an insert. I can get all the materials for an 8" insulated liner and do the installation with my contractor for about $1500 including the $50 I gave for the insert.

Called my chimney guy who did the inspection and cleaning when we moved in, and he quoted me $2500 for a 6" liner install plus whatever an insert cost. New are well over $1000, he might have a used one he'd sell for the 5-600 range he said.

My last house had only propane heat. I felt like investing in a good stove insert and liner was worth the money. With that high efficiency stove, I only used the propane furnace when we were out of town. The propane savings paid for the stove insert and chimney liner within a year and a half. Propane isn’t cheap.

 

[biketopia]

Propane isn’t cheap.

You're right about that!! When we moved in 4 winters ago it was under $3 a gallon. Earlier this summer Amerigas tired to lock us in for $3.99 a gallon for the winter. I dug out the paper work stating I own my tank and told them to kick rocks. Ferrell gas came and filled me up for $1.99 before the winter. It's about time to call around and see who it will be this time.

 

[TheOldHokie]

You're right about that!! When we moved in 4 winters ago it was under $3 a gallon. Earlier this summer Amerigas tired to lock us in for $3.99 a gallon for the winter. I dug out the paper work stating I own my tank and told them to kick rocks. Ferrell gas came and filled me up for $1.99 before the winter. It's about time to call around and see who it will be this time.

Around here a company wont fill a tank for a new customer without first doing a pressure test. Amerigas and Ferrell are both on my DO NOT CALL list.

Dan

 

[biketopia]

My dad uses Ferrell, and I got referral pricing on that initial order. I checked via my account, and it was $3.48 to request a fill this week. Amerigas is on everyone's do-not-call list around my parts, they are flat out horrible.

On line, they all say you need to either show you've had a pressure test done or pay for them to do it. When I made my call, Ferrell just came and filled the tank, no questions asked. Hopefully, the next place will do the same!