I don't mind the fan when it's throttled back, really isn't that loud unless you're sitting right next to the fireplace. Our 1st and 2nd floors are 2500 sq ft with the fireplace in a 2 story living room with a ceiling fan. You really have to keep the ceiling fan cranking or the upstairs hallway is roasting and better keep the upstairs bedroom doors open or the bedrooms get cold.
I wish there was a way to run our forced air heat in a fan only mode just to circulate the hot air from the fireplace.
