I am thinking about having a wood burning insert installed in my existing masonry fireplace. The main reason is to improve efficiency. My current setup does not have any means to move heated air into the room....it seems to be more for looks than function.
In order to install the insert, considerable demo has to be done.....the damper will likely have to go along with some of the fire brick to make room for the 6" liner that needs to be snaked up the chimney....this will render the fireplace useless for conventional burning.
I ran across a few different heat exhangers that simply sit in the fireplace and absorb heat....a blower circulates air throught the exchanger and blows the hot air back into the room.
The insert will run around $5000 turn key
The heat exchangers run around $500
Any experience with either?
Pros and Cons?
Thanks
In order to install the insert, considerable demo has to be done.....the damper will likely have to go along with some of the fire brick to make room for the 6" liner that needs to be snaked up the chimney....this will render the fireplace useless for conventional burning.
I ran across a few different heat exhangers that simply sit in the fireplace and absorb heat....a blower circulates air throught the exchanger and blows the hot air back into the room.
The insert will run around $5000 turn key
The heat exchangers run around $500
Any experience with either?
Pros and Cons?
Thanks