Xanndra, I was wondering, though, why would the fireplace unit not be adaptable for installation in the masonry fireplace space. It's just a steel box, with the same features and sizes, as the inserts are. The H n G unit I referred to, has the rear direct vent outlets, and the existing chimney can be blocked off (The chimney will also becomes redundant, because I'll be converting to a high efficiency gas boiler system for heating). Which is more expensive to buy (and install), the fireplace unit or the inserts (based on equivalent size and features)? I'm just wondering> Ted

"...He says the increase in wood prices are eroding any savings over oil or gas..." Baloney. We have a 3 year old oil furnace and wood is MUCH cheaper than oil! We burned 3 cords last winter in Vermont and even at $135 a cord it cost less than ONE tank of oil at $2.50 a gallon. And we would have gone through 3 tanks of oil in the same period. My neighbor has the same size home and that's how much he used. I only used 3/4 of a tank for hot water from December 1 to May 15. Let's run some numbers. Three cords at $135 a cord is $405.00 So it cost $405 to heat my home last winter. Three 275 gallon tanks of oil at $2.50 a gallon is $2062.50. I'll add in the 3/4 tank I used last year to my heating costs. $515.00. So $405 plus $515 totals $920.That was my total heat and hot water costs. But I saved two tanks of oil at $2.50 (or MORE) a gallon or $1375. So in order to have wood prices equal oil, those three cords would have cost me $458 a cord! So wood is less expensive than oil and has been for years. At the current price of heating oil, wood prices must go to $458 a cord to just EQUAL oil prices for the same heat. Although it's a good idea to completely season the wood, if a tree is felled now and split, it'll be fine for use next winter. My neighbors are getting log lengths in now and doing just that. The wood will sit for 6 months and it'll be just fine. And by getting log lengths, they're paying less than $100 a cord. I still say there's nothing like the smell of woodsmoke in the air on a snowy winter's eve in January to comfort you. You know the hearth is in use and families are comfortable. I don't know of many families having fond memories of sitting around the oil furnace. And those oil burners work just great in a power failure.

I have the same issue and short of calling in a mason to take the ugly think out, I am wondering if you can get nicer vent covers??? Mine are gross and dirty.... My plan is too call the mason and cover it all witha combination stone/ granite and wood... has anyone tried this??

Traditional fireplaces waste a lot of energy because most of the heat goes up the chimney to the outside. If the insert is designed rationally to capture more of the heat for indoors where it's needed, then it will be money well spent. An added benefit is you won't freeze if the power goes off. Thete may even be some kind of tax rebate because the Obama administration has been putting in place various programs to encourage energy conservation. Look into that, and maybe even change your plan if you stand to save a lot of money if you get something else, assuming of course it's something acceptable to you. As to the question about installation, I would make sure you do not void the warranty if you do it yourself. If you hire an installer, make sure he/she has a track record and knows more about the unit than you do.