New BK40: OAK and/or Fan kit good…or no?

[corona5k1635]

Hi all

I’m going to have a BK40 new install done by a dealer. But I need to make a few decisions first: Do any of you have the blower/fan kit on your BK? Do any of you have an OAK set up on your BK? I’m willing to put up the extra cash for these add ons… if your experiences dictate it. Please lemme me know what you think

Details of the install:
- 2400 sq ft home
- split level, open floor plan
- cathedral ceilings
- Regency 2450hi insert in lower level
- very bad insulation everywhere except attic which is sealed & R60 blown in
- I feel cold air constantly moving past me as I sit right in front of my insert and cold air is sucked in from every little crack in the house when the insert is burnin, so want the OAK for the BK so I don’t feel that there as well

I know the debates on OAKs so…

 

[kennyp2339]

I have both on my princess, fan kit to me is a must, pretty much keep it on low setting, I also bought the extended convection deck, think it’s standard with newer stoves. The oak to me is 50/50, I don’t think it would hurt as long as it’s installed properly.

 

[stoveliker]

I agree. No need for an OAK due to a tight home but it won't hurt either
Do make sure it exits below the level of the stove

Fan is useful to get more heat out (leading to shorter burn times) and spread the heat a bit farther from the stove. And you can always switch it off ...

 

[Highbeam]

So you're going to put the king in the top 1200 SF level of the home? The lower level might not feel much of the heat.

I'm an OAK fan and don't think that there is any debate. They are always better but sometimes not possible and not critical. That dirty, dry, cold air you suck in without an OAK is not ideal.

I have the fans on my princess and 99% of the time they are not used. The stove makes great heat without them and is nice and quiet. With such a large stove in such a small space I don't think you'll need the fans but they don't hurt to have just in case.

 

[Tron]

I would have installed the OAK had that been a possibility, but with the stove not on an outside wall and a concrete foundation, it wasn't.
Without it I have to make sure to open a window when I run the kitchen exhaust, and I've had reverse draft happen on not-so-cold days and a cold stove start where I forgot that the bathroom vent was running.
With a rather tight house, that filled the living room with smoke really fast...

Regarding the fans, I retrofitted them and occasionally run them when I need more heat, but they're probably not as important on a free-standing stove than an insert.