I am looking to buy a wood burning insert for an exsiting fireplace.

I have had the chimney cleaned, scrubbed and inspected by a qualified chimney guy.

I have looked at Hampton and Jotul (steel casing, cast iron face and door, 1800 sqrt feet speace, blowers included). Is there a source that rates inserts? I haven't been able to find one.

Also, there seems to be mixed opinions on tubing half or the entire chimney with the stove piping. I would think I would want the entire chimney tubed if for no other reason than ease of cleaning.

The final question is this. They are certainly more expensive than regular wood stoves and offer less heat. I am certainly not looking to heat my entire house, but I wouldn't mind if the 1000 sq feet down stair warmed up 10 degrees as a result. Am I going to be disappointed?

Appreciate any input.

The biggest problem, with Any fireplace insert is the Fireplace smoke shelf throat is no real friendly for inserts. I modified quite a lot of them

The problem is the damper opening is wide and long. That opening is designed to allow so much gas, air flow through that opening. After that the gases goes trough that opening and actually rolls back down behind the smoke shelf and then up the chimney. When you limit that AMOUNT of air flow in the fireplace throat the gases in that area builds up a lot of creosote.

Be prepared to pull that insert every year to check for Creosote.

I have ripped of the face of a fireplace in order to bring the Clay Flues closer to the Fireplace metal insert opening

Another thing is how big the existing clay flues are. If they are 9x13 OK. But 13X13 not good for gases flow travel up and out the chimney

This may be what you are looking for on wood stoves and inserts. All Gov approved manufactures

http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/publications/monitoring/caa/woodstoves/certifiedwood.pdf

I appreciate the information. I am going to go with the full liner, the yearly cleaning comes with the territory I suppose.

I went with Vermont Castings. If anyone who reads this wants me to let them know how it goes, feel free to contact me.