So, we just moved to a 5-acre place in Western Washington (East of Chehalis for you other Washington guys). We're planning for a wood stove and frankly, I'm still confused about size and cat/non-cat, etc for our specific situation. I'm asking you folks to help me decide which way to go here. Here's what we have:
Typical Washington climate (think Seattle but a bit colder). Winter temps in the 30's to low 40's but can go into the teens, but not for long. Very often we'll need some heating well into spring with temps in the 40's but little sun to help heat the house. This spring was virtually non existent.
Our house is a well insulated recent model manufactured home about 1750 sf, quite open with three bedrooms off the the main space (no hallways). The stove will be centrally located.
We are retired and home most of the time and will want to keep a pretty even temp all day, but down at night for around 6 hours. I don't mind tending the stove some.
The primary heat source is a central forced air electric furnace and I would like the stove to become more primary and the furnace supplemental, but it is an effective furnace. The stove is also for the aesthetics.
I do want to avoid having large swings in temperature and getting baked out of the house as some people sometimes do. That is not only a nuisance, but seems an inefficient use of an efficient stove. One thing I've been concerned about is getting a stove too large. My impression is that a stove too large will be more difficult to keep low during moderate outdoor temps. However, I've also seen it said here that you just need to keep less fuel in at those times, but then you need to stoke it more often (more fiddling)?
The other issue is cat/non-cat and I have read the recent thread here on that subject. I suppose a cat may be a good choice in this situation, but I guess I don't mind tending a non-cat stove to regulate the temperature and really don't mind saving those cat bucks.
Cost is a factor. Regarding models, I'm leaning toward either a Drolet or Englander. The question of size enters here. In the Englander, it would be between the 30 and 13. Would the 13 be too small and would the 30 be too large? I have space for the 30, but I just wonder if it would be too large for me. Mostly, can I regulate the temperature well with the Englander 30 when the need for heat is low without damping it down too much? I guess that's my big question. Or, what other models might be appropriate including from Drolet? I could pay more, but only if I could justify the extra cost somehow. I'm open to other ideas.
I've already got 5 cords of wood drying out for this winter and next. Alder and some fir. All I can get around here. Alder burns up pretty quickly, but that's what's available around here delivered. Most of the fir here goes to the lumber mills, I guess.
My last wood stove was an Earth Stove in the 80's which shows you how out of the loop I am at this time, so thanks for the help.
Typical Washington climate (think Seattle but a bit colder). Winter temps in the 30's to low 40's but can go into the teens, but not for long. Very often we'll need some heating well into spring with temps in the 40's but little sun to help heat the house. This spring was virtually non existent.
Our house is a well insulated recent model manufactured home about 1750 sf, quite open with three bedrooms off the the main space (no hallways). The stove will be centrally located.
We are retired and home most of the time and will want to keep a pretty even temp all day, but down at night for around 6 hours. I don't mind tending the stove some.
The primary heat source is a central forced air electric furnace and I would like the stove to become more primary and the furnace supplemental, but it is an effective furnace. The stove is also for the aesthetics.
I do want to avoid having large swings in temperature and getting baked out of the house as some people sometimes do. That is not only a nuisance, but seems an inefficient use of an efficient stove. One thing I've been concerned about is getting a stove too large. My impression is that a stove too large will be more difficult to keep low during moderate outdoor temps. However, I've also seen it said here that you just need to keep less fuel in at those times, but then you need to stoke it more often (more fiddling)?
The other issue is cat/non-cat and I have read the recent thread here on that subject. I suppose a cat may be a good choice in this situation, but I guess I don't mind tending a non-cat stove to regulate the temperature and really don't mind saving those cat bucks.
Cost is a factor. Regarding models, I'm leaning toward either a Drolet or Englander. The question of size enters here. In the Englander, it would be between the 30 and 13. Would the 13 be too small and would the 30 be too large? I have space for the 30, but I just wonder if it would be too large for me. Mostly, can I regulate the temperature well with the Englander 30 when the need for heat is low without damping it down too much? I guess that's my big question. Or, what other models might be appropriate including from Drolet? I could pay more, but only if I could justify the extra cost somehow. I'm open to other ideas.
I've already got 5 cords of wood drying out for this winter and next. Alder and some fir. All I can get around here. Alder burns up pretty quickly, but that's what's available around here delivered. Most of the fir here goes to the lumber mills, I guess.
My last wood stove was an Earth Stove in the 80's which shows you how out of the loop I am at this time, so thanks for the help.