We just closed on our new home on the same block as the old house and are busy ripping out carpets and painting. The guy had BEAUTIFUL oak hardwood floors installed in 1951 and then proceeded to cover them with ugly-ass carpeting for all that time until he passed away and we bought the place from his children!

There is a nice brick working fireplace in the living room and I would like to put in a gas insert or pellet insert someday but that's going to be some years away right now. I have seen some really nice electric inserts that have crazy-realistic flames and thought it would be nice to put one of those in right now, does anyone have one or know of a brand they could recommend?

Also, I see that there is a "chimney balloon" that you can insert up the chimney opening and inflate and that helps seal the chimney from taking all your warm air out of the house? The damper seems OK but it's not super tight. Does anyone have any experience with these? I DO NOT plan to use the fireplace to burn wood as I have small children and it's just not something I want to get into right now.

I don't want or need the insert to do any heat, just the flame effect would be nice.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I don't want or need the insert to do any heat, just the flame effect would be nice.

There are a number of options for streaming a fireplace image to your TV screen. YouTube, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, etc. all have "crackling fireplace" video loops.

Or you can even get fireplace video DVDs if you don't have streaming capabilities.

If all you want is just the image/effect of flames, that would seem to be much easier, cheaper, and safer (no heat) than a fireplace insert.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I don't want or need the insert to do any heat, just the flame effect would be nice.

There are a number of options for streaming a fireplace image to your TV screen. YouTube, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, etc. all have "crackling fireplace" video loops.

Or you can even get fireplace DVDs if you don't have streaming capabilities.

If all you want is just the image/effect of flames, that would seem to be much easier, cheaper, and safer (no heat) than a fireplace insert.

I'd like to use the fireplace though, not the TV.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I don't want or need the insert to do any heat, just the flame effect would be nice.

There are a number of options for streaming a fireplace image to your TV screen. YouTube, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, etc. all have "crackling fireplace" video loops.

Or you can even get fireplace DVDs if you don't have streaming capabilities.

If all you want is just the image/effect of flames, that would seem to be much easier, cheaper, and safer (no heat) than a fireplace insert.

I'd like to use the fireplace though, not the TV.

Put the TV in the fireplace.

I wouldn't waste money on a temporary install if you plan to go Gas or Pellet later.

If I was certain I wasn't going to have a fire I would just stack up some logs like ready for a fire for a pleasing effect. You could put some cheap caulk, or a thin layer of fiberglass insulation, around the damper if it doesn't seal well. Don't worry it probably won't stick it shut if it's dirty but it will still stop any air leaks. Also you could put a cap on top.

I have the exact same situation but mine had glass doors over it so that helps to0. Insert is on my wish list, however in the meantime keeping the fireplace useable for special occasions and emergencies is good too. I had a fire just for ambiance for our family Thanksgiving dinner. And we used it for a week last winter when my HVAC was out.

The best thing to do is get a fireplace insert stove that has a blower and ash tray. Wood is cheap and provides an emergency heat source if things get bad.

We have Library Bricks which are compressed wood shavings and costs $180 a pallet which is equal to a cord of wood.

http://libertybricks.yolasite.com/

I simply didn't have the time nor desire to start a real fire every night, so bought a Dimplex insert for our fireplace about 8-10 years ago, and my wife loves it so that's good enough for me. I sealed the flue opening with rigid insulation, laid a row of bricks in the bottom of the firebox to set it at the height I wanted, which may or may not be necessary depending on how it fit the particular opening, and all she has to do is touch the button on the remote to have a "fire" going. It has a 1500 watt (I think) heater built in, which we've never used, but have had several people sit on the hearth and talk about how good the fire feels so the effect is there. All it has is maybe a 60 watt bulb with a wheel that turns to create the images, but it honestly does look real. I think I paid around $200 for it, and like it enough that I would do it all over again.

Those liberty bricks look just what I need. I emailed to see if there are any dealers near Louisville.

We've got an unused fireplace with a stained glass firescreen and some electric candles behind it. Looks ok.