A Little Help With Stove Recommendation

[fdegree]

would it not be smarter economically to simply buy a generator to continue to run the heat pump? Don't get me wrong . . . I too bought a woodstove partially because I like the idea of being able to have heat when the power it out . . . but if that was the only reason for me it would have made a lot more sense to go with a generator to run my oil boiler and have heat through the entire home.

That is another consideration. My original intent here was to get an education about wood stoves for my situation and then decide how to proceed. But, now I'm considering a wood stove for my primary heat, after getting some of this great feedback. It's becoming too much to think about...

 

[mellow]

We live in an area that affords us "cheaper" wood prices than say up north. A cord of wood usually runs about 130-150 bux delivered to your house, this is mainly hardwood. As I mentioned before in the other thread any of the ads you see in the The Guide or on CL, that wood is not truly seasoned, even the ones wanting $200/cord.

If you do decide to go with a woodstove I would recommend you buying 2+ cords this year and start burning next year.

Most people do not heed this advice and try to burn with unseasoned wood and are unhappy with the results and come back on here saying their stove sucks and does not heat well, please keep this in mind, new EPA stoves do NOT like unseasoned wood.

 

[tiber]

That is another consideration. My original intent here was to get an education about wood stoves for my situation and then decide how to proceed. But, now I'm considering a wood stove for my primary heat, after getting some of this great feedback. It's becoming too much to think about...

Well, think of it this way - you'll be fine if you suffer one more winter on oil heat or whatever your current setup is. I actually was going to jump on this 100% before I started to really explore the topic and even I'm now browsing and looking for deals. Part B is this is the wrong time of year to be buying this stuff, in addition to needing people to install a chimney in bad weather be it myself or contractors. If you wait until the middle of summer not only will there be New Stuff to buy, but the rates are going to go down as people starve a bit and more used stuff shows up. Remember, the tax rebate is until next year, so there's no reason to jump if you're feeling iffy.

 

[fdegree]

We live in an area that affords us "cheaper" wood prices than say up north. A cord of wood usually runs about 130-150 bux delivered to your house, this is mainly hardwood. As I mentioned before in the other thread any of the ads you see in the The Guide or on CL, that wood is not truly seasoned, even the ones wanting $200/cord.

If you do decide to go with a woodstove I would recommend you buying 2+ cords this year and start burning next year.

Most people do not heed this advice and try to burn with unseasoned wood and are unhappy with the results and come back on here saying their stove sucks and does not heat well, please keep this in mind, new EPA stoves do NOT like unseasoned wood.

Thanks again...you've been incredibly helpful.

This leads me to my next question...will 2 cords be all that is needed for 1 winter? I realize there are a number of unknown variables that will prevent you from giving an accurate answer, but what are your thoughts for this area in general?

Now another question, what is the best way to store the wood...simply stacked neatly outside and covered?

 

[fdegree]

Well, think of it this way - you'll be fine if you suffer one more winter on oil heat or whatever your current setup is. I actually was going to jump on this 100% before I started to really explore the topic and even I'm now browsing and looking for deals. Part B is this is the wrong time of year to be buying this stuff, in addition to needing people to install a chimney in bad weather be it myself or contractors. If you wait until the middle of summer not only will there be New Stuff to buy, but the rates are going to go down as people starve a bit and more used stuff shows up. Remember, the tax rebate is until next year, so there's no reason to jump if you're feeling iffy.

I agree, I certainly was not going to try and accomplish this endeavor for this winter...it would be next winter at the earliest.

 

[mellow]

Depends if your wanting to heat the house all day, or partial while you are at work, and when you wanted to start burning. I typically try and wait till last minute to start burning, when the temps get into the 40's for a daily high. I burn about 2 cords a year, I burn all day because the wife is at home (another variable, is she willing to tend to the stove?) with our kid. I stack ours outside in rows with the tops covered, all the rain this past summer will have some effect on my wood, not sure how much yet.

How many cords you wish to buy is only limited by how much room you have to store it. If you have the money to buy 4 cords I am sure you can get a deal from someone.

I personally down trees for people and split and stack my own wood to keep costs down, I will also find scrap wood from people that have had a tree fall down from time to time. I find it to be a good workout and it feels good to sit by a warm fire in the winter knowing you have done all the work.

 

[firefighterjake]

would it not be smarter economically to simply buy a generator to continue to run the heat pump? Don't get me wrong . . . I too bought a woodstove partially because I like the idea of being able to have heat when the power it out . . . but if that was the only reason for me it would have made a lot more sense to go with a generator to run my oil boiler and have heat through the entire home.

That is another consideration. My original intent here was to get an education about wood stoves for my situation and then decide how to proceed. But, now I'm considering a wood stove for my primary heat, after getting some of this great feedback. It's becoming too much to think about...

Quite honestly . . . I think you may find heating with wood would soon lead to it being your primary heating source and the other means being secondary. For me personally, it's a heckuva lot easier to just spin up the dial on the oil boiler with hot water baseboard (and honestly it gives a more level heat through the whole home) . . . but my plans to just burn evenings and weekends changed last year when I discovered how easy it is to heat with wood and how much more pleasing the whole thing can be . . . many a time I will turn off the TV and just watch and listen to the fire.

However, if you think the work and mess entailed may be too much and really think the woodstove would be more for back up heat, I would suggest investing in the generator.

 

[firefighterjake]

That is another consideration. My original intent here was to get an education about wood stoves for my situation and then decide how to proceed. But, now I'm considering a wood stove for my primary heat, after getting some of this great feedback. It's becoming too much to think about...

Well, think of it this way - you'll be fine if you suffer one more winter on oil heat or whatever your current setup is. I actually was going to jump on this 100% before I started to really explore the topic and even I'm now browsing and looking for deals. Part B is this is the wrong time of year to be buying this stuff, in addition to needing people to install a chimney in bad weather be it myself or contractors. If you wait until the middle of summer not only will there be New Stuff to buy, but the rates are going to go down as people starve a bit and more used stuff shows up. Remember, the tax rebate is until next year, so there's no reason to jump if you're feeling iffy.

Tiber and others raise some excellent points . . . if you do go the wood route . . . you would be wise to start getting your wood now to ensure it's seasoned. The bonus as he mentions is buying in the Spring or Summer can put you in a better place to negotiate prices when business is slack . . . and you will still get the benefit of the tax credit.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Pacific Energy Summit.

The End.

 

[moosetrek]

I would not let the comments deter you from going ahead with the plans for this year, if that's what you want. It is possible to find good, seasoned wood available - however, as this is the fall/winter, you will definitely pay a premium, and you might want to read through the "wood shed" forums for a discussion of what to look for, and maybe some local contacts that can help you find quality wood, most of us on here are always willing to lend a hand or a time to a fellow wood-burner.

I forgot to mention, that if price is a concern I would reiterate the Englander as an option. It'd be hard to find a comparable stove in quality and performance without spending $2K, and it's cheap enough that if you A) like it you can keep it and be ahead B) like wood heat but don't like the stove you can sell for a good bit of what you have into it and put the $ towards one you like better and have had time to look at some options over a year or so, or C) don't like wood burning at all you can sell and recoup some of your lost $ (though not for the chimney, hearth, etc.). You could also find a nice used stove on Craigslist or Ebay, but you never know what you're getting and if this is your first foray I'd minimize the chances you take, buy simple and new and see how you like it, that way you know the stove's history isn't a reason you have problems and get a bad experience that would otherwise be rewarding. Always fun to watch the oil truck drive by and fill up the neighbor's tank while you're sitting in a 80F living room with a window or two open...

 

[bhanna]

Does anyone have any input on the us stove aps1100b? I have a 1300sqft home but only need to heat about 1100sqft of it. I went to lowes to look at their summers heat 50-spf12lc but it is a 35-1 stove or epa exempt. I read that the exempt stoves can loose up to 90% of their heat out the chimney and are not very efficient. So I looked at the us stove aps1100b at the tractor supply store which is epa certified 1.6 cuft box. Its priced low and includes a blower, 30,000btu/hr.

 

[fdegree]

I have to say...out of all of the different forums that I have been involved with...the response time here is incredible. Usually I'm waiting hours...if not days...for a response. You guys are really on top of things.

I also want to thank everyone for their contribution...it is all truly valuable. I was originally thinking this would simply be for emergency back-up. But, with everyone's input, now I am seriously considering this for my primary heat source.

Now, I need to see what the wife thinks...

Thanks again, it is much appreciated.

 

[Wet1]

Heating solely with wood, I'd guess you'd want between 3 and 4 cords to heat 2300 sq ft in your climate. 3 cords would be my best guess, but better to have extra on hand.

Ideally you always want to be at least one year ahead with your wood supply. If buying today for this year, I'd get started with about 7 cords. Continue the cycle year by buying another 3 or 4 next year, and so on.

You can stack (or toss) the wood how ever you want. Some people cover it, others don't (another debated topic here). The one thing you do have to do though is keep it directly off the ground.

 

[firefighterjake]

I have to say...out of all of the different forums that I have been involved with...the response time here is incredible. Usually I'm waiting hours...if not days...for a response. You guys are really on top of things.

I also want to thank everyone for their contribution...it is all truly valuable. I was originally thinking this would simply be for emergency back-up. But, with everyone's input, now I am seriously considering this for my primary heat source.

Now, I need to see what the wife thinks...

Thanks again, it is much appreciated.

What can I say . . . the folks here have a burning passion for heating with wood . . . and it shows.

And as I said . . . I think there is a good chance that you could become one of the wood converts . . . someone who comes here originally thinking they will just put in a stove or insert for back up heat . . . to burn with a power outage or on weekends . . . and then before you know it you'll come to relish the cheap heat, the visual appeal of the flames and the snap, crackling sounds of a roaring fire . . . and you'll be one of us then.

Of course, whether this happens or not depends on these simple words . . . "Now I need to see what the wife thinks."

 

[Wet1]

fdegree,

We are a fairly tight-nit community here and really enjoy the subject, so it should come as no surprise there are many helpful folks here. We are glad to help and hope you return the favor with the next generation of newbies.

bhanna,

I'd suggest starting a new thread with your specific question, you'll get a better response.

 

[PapaDave]

would it not be smarter economically to simply buy a generator to continue to run the heat pump? Don't get me wrong . . . I too bought a woodstove partially because I like the idea of being able to have heat when the power it out . . . but if that was the only reason for me it would have made a lot more sense to go with a generator to run my oil boiler and have heat through the entire home.

That is another consideration. My original intent here was to get an education about wood stoves for my situation and then decide how to proceed. But, now I'm considering a wood stove for my primary heat, after getting some of this great feedback. It's becoming too much to think about...

Look,
I NEVER thought I'd be burning wood. When we bought this house, woodstove was here. I now use it exclusively to heat the house (sometimes, to my wife's dismay, she wants the furnace hooked up as backup). I'm pretty well invested in this deal, and really enjoy the heat, so my opinion may be slightly skewed.
But, do it! There is a lot to think about, but it's not that bad. One foot in front of the other, one split after another, one hearth tile after another, and before you know it, you're a woodburning guru handing out advice on the HEARTH.
It's not just an adventure, it's a lifestyle.
You're on the right track, and in the right forum.

Dave

 

[sbohlen]

I have the PE Alderlea T6 and I LOVE it. I think it would be an ideal stove for your application.

 

[PapaDave]

I have to say...out of all of the different forums that I have been involved with...the response time here is incredible. Usually I'm waiting hours...if not days...for a response. You guys are really on top of things.

I also want to thank everyone for their contribution...it is all truly valuable. I was originally thinking this would simply be for emergency back-up. But, with everyone's input, now I am seriously considering this for my primary heat source.

Now, I need to see what the wife thinks...

Thanks again, it is much appreciated.

What can I say . . . the folks here have a burning passion for heating with wood . . . and it shows.

And as I said . . . I think there is a good chance that you could become one of the wood converts . . . someone who comes here originally thinking they will just put in a stove or insert for back up heat . . . to burn with a power outage or on weekends . . . and then before you know it you'll come to relish the cheap heat, the visual appeal of the flames and the snap, crackling sounds of a roaring fire . . . and you'll be one of us then.

Of course, whether this happens or not depends on these simple words . . . "Now I need to see what the wife thinks."

:roll: True dat.

 

[11 Bravo]

Like PapaDave, my original stove was here when my wife and I bought the place 7 years ago. It was a 3 yr old Century from Menards. Tomorrow my Jotul Castine gets installed and I can't wait. ..........Prior to 7 years ago I wouldn't have imagined myself doing the things I do now, woulda said it was crazy....The woodstove process is addicting.....I look for downed trees after storms......try to figure how I will get the truck back to the logs, etc. Now I stare at the empty spot next to the drive amongst the pines trying to decide how big the wood shed will be that I want to build there.......the guys at work in the locker room talk about how long they were at the gym today, I tell them to skip the gym, bring some leather gloves, and get a workout with the maul, saws, and pry bars at my house........in the end I know that if the SHTF, I can still heat my house........welcome to wood burning, you won't regret it..................Paul

 

[PapaDave]

Again, others have said this, too. We've only had a couple of power outages since living here, but the ability to heat the house and even cook on the stove if needed is great.
Bev got out the candles, and we just hunkered down while dark. Went to bed early. Got up early.
I can't read by candlelight for long.

Dave