I tried to do my research before posting this thread. Unfortunately my google & hearth searches almost exclusively turned up results for people wishing to get basement-installed pellet stove heat upstairs.
I am finishing up my first season with a pellet stove. I can't imagine using any other heating source now. I burned through roughly 4.4 tons of pellets for a roughly 2,100 square foot colonial house (excluding basement). Unfortunately the basement was unusable over the winter, and averaged about 45 degrees on the colder days. The basement is mostly finished and insulated (1st floor included), with the exception of one 8' exterior wall that faces the garage. I plan on framing and insulating it this fall.
I'm looking to purchase another Harman P43 stove as the original one has served me well this last year. I'm also concerned with the amount of additional pellets I'll need to get me through the winter.
This season seemed pretty mild, so i assume 4.4 tons would not get me through a regular winter, unless I heavily turned back the dial on the thermostat.
I'd like to hear from other members who have installed a pellet stove in their basement for subsidizing an existing heating system. I assume the 1st floor pellet stove will work a bit less with the basement temperatures matching the upper stairs.
Can anyone give a rough estimate on what I might expect in terms of pellet usage increase from a second basement stove? Ideally the basement is roughly 1,000 sqare feet, and would be heated to 68 ~ 70 degrees, with the basement door open to the first floor.
In addition, does anyone care to speculate on the difference in pellet usage between this winter and last?
I'm looking to construct a 2x4 & plywood bulk pellet hopper in the basement as well. I plan to follow the designs of other hoppers that I have seen on the forum. The hopper would be placed far enough from the pellet stove to not cause any fires. The planned capacity is 7 tons.
I am finishing up my first season with a pellet stove. I can't imagine using any other heating source now. I burned through roughly 4.4 tons of pellets for a roughly 2,100 square foot colonial house (excluding basement). Unfortunately the basement was unusable over the winter, and averaged about 45 degrees on the colder days. The basement is mostly finished and insulated (1st floor included), with the exception of one 8' exterior wall that faces the garage. I plan on framing and insulating it this fall.
I'm looking to purchase another Harman P43 stove as the original one has served me well this last year. I'm also concerned with the amount of additional pellets I'll need to get me through the winter.
This season seemed pretty mild, so i assume 4.4 tons would not get me through a regular winter, unless I heavily turned back the dial on the thermostat.
I'd like to hear from other members who have installed a pellet stove in their basement for subsidizing an existing heating system. I assume the 1st floor pellet stove will work a bit less with the basement temperatures matching the upper stairs.
Can anyone give a rough estimate on what I might expect in terms of pellet usage increase from a second basement stove? Ideally the basement is roughly 1,000 sqare feet, and would be heated to 68 ~ 70 degrees, with the basement door open to the first floor.
In addition, does anyone care to speculate on the difference in pellet usage between this winter and last?
I'm looking to construct a 2x4 & plywood bulk pellet hopper in the basement as well. I plan to follow the designs of other hoppers that I have seen on the forum. The hopper would be placed far enough from the pellet stove to not cause any fires. The planned capacity is 7 tons.