Kwschumm....About the firplace insert in basement. I have 2900 sf all brick ranch with full walkout basement tall ceilings 15'4'' and rest are 10' with lots of windows,and is 94 ft long.I tried the insert in the basement trick but could not get it to really do anything like heat the 1st floor at all. It would heat the open basement, but the only one down there was me loading the thing and my furnace was still running like normal. I moved the insert up to the main floor and would heat the open areas just great but the outside rooms on both sides of the house and basement were cold and the wife couldn't take it anymore. Our average gas bill is $400-$500 month in winter but i am heating the basement so really heating 5800 sq ft or so.
I sold the LOPI insert good for 2400 sq ft and installed an Energy King wood furnace on the backside of the basement fireplace (fireplace is in center of basement)and closed off the damper and ran stainless tube all the way up the chimney. This thing heats the entire house,everysingle room through your duckwork, and you could buy a water jacket to heat water. I bought the 160,000 btu model. With gas, we set the heat at 67 and with wood it averages 70-75. Wife is happy and that is all that counts isn't it. Good luck with your choice ,winter is almost here.

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