Wood Stove Recommendations

[fabsroman]

I'm looking for a wood stove insert for a fireplace, possibly two, for my parents to heat their house. Does anybody have any recommendations for a wood stove insert manufacturer. I'm not looking for a pellet stove because my dad has access to free wood, which is better than paying for pellets.

[rubicon]

check out a Treemont. I had one for years and it was great. It was airtight, had glass in the front door, had a blower, and ash pan. They are made in Winchester, Va

[Skinny Shooter]

Harman.
http://www.harmanstoves.com/list.asp?id=8&title=Harman%20Wood%20Fireplace%20Inserts

Check out this site for answers: http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewcategory/1/

[M.T. Pockets]

Ask your insurance company. They can take a lot of fun out of woodburning stove plans, but they do know what works best and can be very helpful.

[fabsroman]

Are you talking about my homeowner's insurance? They have never asked anything about a wood stove in an application for insurance, so why would they have a clue about a wood stove? Plus, I know my insurance agents and would be surprised if they even knew what a wood stove is.

[Nulle]

Pel Pro brand sucks at least mine does.

[toxic111]

I second the ask the insurance company... some wood stoves &/or fireplace inserts can raise insurance rates...

make sure first...

[Skinny Shooter]

Fabs, your homeowners insurance will probably come out and take photos of the installed stove (or at least examine it) and note it in your info.

[fabsroman]

I'll have to ask one of my clients about this. He just burned down his house with a wood stove and his insurance company paid him for the house. I'll have to see if he had to notify them when he put the stove in. I'll also have to read my parents' insurance policy to see if there are any exclusions for wood stoves. Most people couldn't afford to lose their house and not have the insurance company reimburse them for it, especially when they are retired.

[Nulle]

You might contact the pros like a mason and have them put the unit in because if you do it as a "do it yourself kit" there may be problems also.

[fabsroman]

I'm trying to convince my dad to hire somebody to install it, but he has been doing masonry and construction his entire life and will not hear about having somebody else install it. So, I am trying to read up on the installation procedures as much as I can so that I can supervise this thing. That is also why I am going to read through the homeowner's policy to make sure there isn't any exclusion in it, and I'm going to make sure they have a ladder for their bedroom window.

[DON WALKUP]

check out Lopi wood burning stoves.

we have one for our only source of heat. they work great, are of quality construction and are reasonalbly priced.

i too, would recommend professional installation. if nothing else for the sake of possible insurance 'problems'.

in some parts of the country, it's no longer legal to use wood burning stoves as heating sources...

[muskrat30]

A Vermont Castings fan here. Not sure what they offer for inserts presently, I have a free standing stove. I have put in 2 inserts in previous homes. I did it myself. It was not hard but depending on who you talk to they can make it more difficult. One issue that comes up is reducing the chimney size to match the lower required draw. I never did line the whole chimney & did fine. Some dealers now want you to put a smaller pipe inside your regular chimney.

I just sealed around the insert edge with fire proof insulation & cleaned the stove & chimney every spring. Of course burning seasoned wood is also a plus.