fireplace insert

[kara]

I was wondering if any can tell me if it is safe to have a fireplace insert installed into a 2000 clayton doublewide home. My husband was thinking of getting a generator for electric loss during the winter and I was thinking maybe a fireplace insert might be an alternative. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mac]

You have an existing fireplace? If so, any you install would need to be certified for use in a manufactured home (it will get combustion air from outside, since MH are quite airtight). That should not be hard to find. A wood stove might make a better heater, if you have no existing fireplace. Since we have unlimited firewood, we opted for this, having the standard fireplace deleted. I would guess most wood stoves are MH certified. It's worth paying a professional installer to put it in; remember also that you may need a county inspection, and you'll want to discuss it with your insurance carrier.

[Eugene]

Also, be aware, you will need to add floor support is you add a fireplace or woodburner, they can be quite heavy.
Read you home owners guide, it will tell you that!

[Mac]

I'm going to disagree with that a bit. A woodstove will need to sit on a nonflammable surface. Usually these are stone slabs set into plywood. A wood stove will weigh between 200-400 lb, and the stone thing another hundred or so. If you spread that over a 4x3 foot surface, that's a max of 50 lbs per square foot. When I get home, I'll read my manual and see what it says - but I don't have anything special under mine.
cheers,
mac