How To Choose The Best Fireplace Insert Options For Your Fireplace
July 19, 2024
Installing a wood burning fireplace insert is one of the best ways to update an old inefficient, drafty fireplace while still being able to enjoy burning wood. Choosing a fireplace insert can be a little overwhelming. There are many manufacturers and many different sizes to choose from. Gathering a little information about your fireplace and your home will make choosing the right fireplace insert a lot easier.
First Things First: Fireplace Measurements
Before you can start looking at the different styles of fireplace inserts, you first must know the measurements of your fireplace to ensure the insert you choose will fit in your fireplace. Masonry fireplaces are far from standard sizes and are often constructed in unique shapes. Oftentimes the back wall of a fireplace is not the same width as the front of the fireplace. Also, the back wall of the fireplace could taper forward making the depth of the fireplaces slightly less in the height.
Make sure to take the following measurements
- The Height of the front face of the fireplace
- The Height of the back wall of the fireplace
- The Width of the front face of the fireplace
- The Width of the back wall of the fireplace
- The Depth of the fireplace
Determining What Options Will Work
Now that we have the measurements of the fireplace, we can start looking at our options. One thing that we need to consider is what size insert will fit in your fireplace before we can start looking at what style we like. When you are looking around at your options make sure to find the "Minimum Fireplace Measurements" section of the installation manual or the "specifications" section of the listing. This section is going to let you know what size inserts will fit in your fireplace. As long as the measurements of your fireplace are greater than the "Minimum Fireplace Measurements" then that insert will fit in your fireplace. If the width of the back wall of the fireplace or the Height of the back wall of the fireplace is smaller than the front face, you will need to take the Width and Height measurements of the proposed insert and check to see if that will still work at the Minimum depth of the proposed insert.
Use our Fireplace Insert Comparison Tool
Look At Options Based On The Size Of The Space You Are Looking To Heat
Now that we know which inserts would fit in your fireplace, we can start to determine which insert would be best for your home. The main factor to consider when choosing an insert is the size of the space you are looking to heat. If you have a large fireplace and you can literally choose any model, you are going to want to look at the size of the space the insert is located. A large fireplace insert is capable of heating up to 2,700 square feet. If you install that in a home that is only 1,200 square feet, you are going to heat yourself out of the room and even the home when you are burning the stove properly. Modern EPA rated stoves are made to burn long and hot. If you try to have a small fire in a large insert, you are not going to get the combustion temperatures and the efficiency and burn times that are advertised. Keep in mind also that the heating area that is advertised by the manufacturer is a large open area. It does not not account for walls. If the home has small rooms with a lot of walls, the wood stove insert is not going to be able to heat the other parts of the home. So it would be best to choose the size of the insert based on the square footage of the room it is located in.
Style Options
Now that we have the fireplace size and the heating area of the insert that would best suit you, you can now start looking at the different styles to best match the decor of your home.
The styles range from traditional old theme styles to modern contemporary models. The modern contemporary models such as the Osburn Matrix, Enerzone Destination 2.3-I and the Osburn Inspire 2000 inserts have straighter sight lines and are flush mounts that do not extend out of the front of the fireplace much.
Then you have the traditional models such as the Osburn Matrix 1900, Enerzone Destination 1.9-I and the Matrix 2700 wood insert that have ornamental and decorative features that offer a vintage look. Lastly are the economical options such as the Drolet Escape 1800-I, the Englander Blue Ridge 300-I and the Century Heating CW2900 inserts that are basic models that are perfectly functional but without the designer details or features.
The Tax Credit Might Be Too Good To Pass Up
One other factor to consider when choosing a fireplace insert is obviously the cost. Currently any wood burning stove insert that has a HHV rating of 75% qualifies for the wood and pellet stove tax credit through the end of 2032. From January 2023 through December 2032 you can receive up to a 30% tax credit for the installation and parts required, such as chimney liner and insulation. That is one of the largest tax credits that has ever been offered for wood burning appliances. Choosing an insert that qualifies for the tax credit is worth the savings that can cover a lot of the cost allowing you to enjoy that money elsewhere. Click here to view more information about the tax credit
Don't Forget About The Chimney Liner
Any modern EPA rated wood burning fireplace insert will need a stainless steel chimney liner connected to the insert and running through the masonry chimney to the top of the chimney. This will ensure the insert is burning clean and efficiently. You must measure the inside measurements of the flue at the top of the chimney to determine if the correct size chimney liner will fit down the chimney. Also right above the firebox is generally a fireplace throat damper. That is usually a choke point and could prevent the liner from getting to the insert. In that event it is suggested to cut out some of the damper frame to make enough room for the liner to get through the damper frame. A Stainless Steel Flexible Chimney liner is often the best choice for venting a fireplace insert. The flexible liners can easily navigate around the bend that is usually at the fireplace damper.
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