Alright, drywall and mudding is almost done. Now on to the the MAJOR part of this remodel. Plans are to make a floor to ceiling enclosure around the exposed brick chimney, sheath with DuraRock, apply a stone veneer, and then put a zero clearance gas stove in (direct vent). Problem is, the stove we like is $2800 not including the chimney liner, thermostat and tax Anyone have a zero clearance stove? Recommendations?
There's an existing thimble in place, and I don't particularly want to worry about moisture problems with a ventless system (doesn't help the room is also half below grade).
I only asked...because I'm getting ready to put a ventless wall-pak in my cave (ALL below grade). I wasn't aware of any negative issues with the newer models. But if you know something....shoot me a PM! I'd appreciate it.
The ventless units tend to dry the air a lot more. When I built my fireplace I used a Heat-N-Glo I believe. Or Heatalotor...or Hearth and home. not sure which of the 3 I ended up with. I won't bother to depress you and tell you how cheap I got it, as our company makes parts for them. Lets just say I got the insert, and unit for less then half of what your cost of the unit is. I am moving to a new place shortly and it has an old fireplace, and I am thinking of adding an insert if I can get that deal again.
Are you sure about the drying air? Burning propane generfates water vapor and every thing I've read or been told has been that the ventless unit certainly do cause more humidity and moisture in the living space.
Any reason you aren't considering a wood pellet stove Matt? I have no idea how much propane costs, but for $2500-$3000 you can buy a top end pellet stove insert. My Harmon Accentra will throw 40k btu for a 8-10 hour period for about $4.25. Something to consider……
Hard truth is that any fireplace that is somewhat decent is going to cost over 2 grand. By decent I mean the flame looks like a wood flame, not paper flickering behind christmas lights. A fan is a must have too, also a heat dump - which gets rid of the heat the FP produces if it gets too hot in the room. Some people like to have the FP on just to look at it.
I was just going buy the natural gas ventless my grandma has. Just seems to dry the air. I do not know anything about propane. My fireplace alone was supposed to be 2800 then add the vent tube stiff which isn't cheap. But all said and done I got the unit and vent for 1200. Just have to know the right names to drop.
Matt that statement is 100% accurate. H2O is the byproduct of burning propane. A lot of people don't know it and they can't see it. The moisture is something that causes damage over time behind walls, floors, and ceilings. Go with the vent.
What's the level of efficiency of vented v. ventless......and.....how much does a dehumidifier set you back? Now, extrapolate costs.
Ventless is essentially 99% efficint since they're not losing heat through a pipe/chimney. Most modern direct vent systems are usually between 75-85% efficient. Most claim the flame isn't as realistic with ventless and simulated embers can't be used (I think). Matt (RJ), pellets here are all well over$200/ton, the stoves require more maintanence, don't have the aesthetic appeal, and Btu/hr costs aren't significantly different to warrant those sacrirfices. If this was solely for heat and I didn't have my own free source of firewood I would consider one, but I'm planning to still use my wood stove to help do most of the work.
