Wayne you are absolutely correct about all the heat going up the chimney. I put in a decorative insert in last year with a duel speed fan blower and cut my oil bill by 1/2. Even with the reduced prices for fuel nowadays the cost of the insert will be covered. MOST IMPORTANT - This year you can get a tax credit up to $1500 for purchasing and installing one of these. See the website below under biomass stoves

I have one in my home for over 20 years from Vermont casting it still works great I put heat from the fireplace into my home not up the Chimmey!

Hi Wayne!
I have a regular (soapstone) wood stove that I inserted in my fireplace and it works great! Stop by and take a look when you are in the neighborhood.

There is a fireplace insert called a heatolater.. (check spelling) It fits inside the fireplace and has a glass door.. it lets the smoke out and blows the heat into the room. I have a friend that has one.. it works very well.

Google search the heatolater thingy...

John Sacktig
Broker/manager
Orange Key Realty

Yes they are worth it I live in Iowa and also had a woodburning fireplace We replaced it with an insert and could warm the entire home It was about a 1700 square foot home Saved alot of money on the heat bills using the fireplace Hope that help Anna in Iowa

I have a wood stove in my Hopewell Home. It really cranks out heat. You will need to keep up with mess of wood and bugs that seem to hitch a ride. You should also get the heatolator (sp?) It is a fan that helps move heat around the stove. You may also want a catalytic convertor that burns more efficiently. Consider that if your floor plan is not open that you may need fans to circulate. It doesnt heat entire house but helps.