Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - wood insert recc: pacific summit or quadra fire 5100?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : wood insert recc: pacific summit or quadra fire 5100?
my1889home
10-24-05, 10:03 AM
Hi there.
I'm thinking of installing a large model wood insert in my fireplace and was hoping anyone with experience with either the large Pacific Energy Summit model or the Quadra Fire 5100 model might be willing to offer their advice/experiences. Its hard to choose.
The Quadra Fire heats up a whopping 3500 sq ft for about $2800. The Pacific Energy heats up 3100 sq ft at $2200. They both have pros and cons that are appealing: The Quad is supposedly more efficient, while the Pacific offers a long term burn technology.
In short, anyone who has experience with either model: your troubles, joys, rants and raves would be very much appreciated before we empty our wallets shortly.
Thanks!
I'm thinking of installing a large model wood insert in my fireplace and was hoping anyone with experience with either the large Pacific Energy Summit model or the Quadra Fire 5100 model might be willing to offer their advice/experiences. Its hard to choose.
The Quadra Fire heats up a whopping 3500 sq ft for about $2800. The Pacific Energy heats up 3100 sq ft at $2200. They both have pros and cons that are appealing: The Quad is supposedly more efficient, while the Pacific offers a long term burn technology.
In short, anyone who has experience with either model: your troubles, joys, rants and raves would be very much appreciated before we empty our wallets shortly.
Thanks!
Concretemasonry
10-24-05, 10:22 AM
I can't address the specific brands, I have the experience building and insert into the fireplace of my lake home.
2000+ sf, slab on grade, block & brick construction, vaulted ceiling and 4 - 8' sliding doors in the living/family room. My only complaint was that it was too big. Don't remember the brand, I know I made a mistake on the size. My fireplace was massive, so the time lag (2 - 3 days to warm up) caused me to over heat the building. The first year, I had to operate the fan manually, since it shut off when the temperature got up in the living area. Ended up opening windows after that, even with a slow burn for 2 days. The first year, I had to operate the fan (3 speed) manually, since it shut off when the temperature got up in the living area. The good thing was, I could leave and come back a few days later (at -20) and the heat was still retained. What I learned was that if you have a lot of mass (heat sink), you don't need much capacity, but you need circulation.
If you have a stick building, you may not have the same problem.
Dick
2000+ sf, slab on grade, block & brick construction, vaulted ceiling and 4 - 8' sliding doors in the living/family room. My only complaint was that it was too big. Don't remember the brand, I know I made a mistake on the size. My fireplace was massive, so the time lag (2 - 3 days to warm up) caused me to over heat the building. The first year, I had to operate the fan manually, since it shut off when the temperature got up in the living area. Ended up opening windows after that, even with a slow burn for 2 days. The first year, I had to operate the fan (3 speed) manually, since it shut off when the temperature got up in the living area. The good thing was, I could leave and come back a few days later (at -20) and the heat was still retained. What I learned was that if you have a lot of mass (heat sink), you don't need much capacity, but you need circulation.
If you have a stick building, you may not have the same problem.
Dick
my1889home
10-24-05, 10:33 AM
Well we have 5000 sq ft (wood frame construction, though the fireplace is in an 1930's addition on a slab), and the first floor is as close to an open floor plan as an old home can get. The room itself has very high ceilings.
I don't think we're overestimating the size of the unit...though I share your concerns about circulation. I'm sure we won't be able to get the heat up to the second floor as well as we should because of the fireplace location. But I'm not sure what we can do about that. Maybe fans.
Right now the first floor of the house is very cold in the winter (I live in Buffalo). Last year was hard to get through.
Thanks!
I don't think we're overestimating the size of the unit...though I share your concerns about circulation. I'm sure we won't be able to get the heat up to the second floor as well as we should because of the fireplace location. But I'm not sure what we can do about that. Maybe fans.
Right now the first floor of the house is very cold in the winter (I live in Buffalo). Last year was hard to get through.
Thanks!