Don't install anything until you check with your homeowners insurance. Installing a wood stove will raise your homeowners insurance quite a bit, while installing an iron insert into an existing fireplace will usually not raise your insurance. Depends on who you insure with. If you decide to install a free standing wood stove and not tell your insurance company, and your house burns down, your home will not be covered if they blame the fire on the wood stove. I wanted a free standing stove, and the increase in premium was more than my heat bills in January and February. One phone call and you'll know for sure.