Is a Pacific Energy T4 too small?

Too small, go for the T-5. When thinking wood stoves a little too big is much better than a little too small. As you have probably found here, the T-5 seems very popular.

My ranch is the same size as yours and I also faced the same decision as you did. I also burn wood like you're planning on - evenings and weekends. I ended up choosing the T5 and I couldn't be happier. It has long burn times, produces a nice gentle heat, and easily heats my entire main floor (not the basement). That said, I would not think about using this stove to burn 24/7 in my particular house and climate (SW Ontario) as it would completely bake us out of the house! My home is well insulated (R60 attic, etc.) and is quite air tight (.69 ACH50), so one fire a day is quite enough to keep us nice and cozy. Perhaps the T4 would have been adequate considering the way that we burn, but I have my doubts. At any rate, if you plan on burning like we do, I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the T5.

You need to consider that the t5 size stove will accept standard sized wood and has a reputation as a long burning heater. That is especially important with a small and efficient home. The longer the burn, the lower the btu output rate so you won't get baked as easily.

It's just much easier to run a larger stove. Easier to load and build fires in. The T4 stove is almost silly small.

You need a bigger stove. My T4 is adequate for my <1000 sq ft townhouse, but I would not recommend it to anyone with more square footage. Also, I've found the blower was a very useful option to purchase.

Hell, I'd be getting the T6

The Jotul 400 is pretty darn small, too! Would not the T5 be more comparable to a 500 Oslo? The 500 is an equally adored heater, to the T5. Can't go wrong either way, based on all reports here.

On using the propane furnace fan to distribute heat, that typically only works in cases where the furnace and all ductwork are located within the heated envelope of the home. If the furnace is located in a cold basement or attic, the losses are typically too great to use it for warm air distribution.

edit: just looked up the numbers...
T4: 1.4 cu.ft.
400: 1.7 cu.ft.
T5: 2.0 cu.ft. (some list as 2.1)
500: 2.2 cu.ft.

Took me a bit to figure out, as you might of read? But my T5 runs 24/7 and happy with it for sure

loon

Small stoves, like below about 2 CF really baffle me. What are you saving? a few inches of physical size? Clearances are similar between large and small. The little stove only burns for a few hours (unless a cat) anyway so why not just build a small fire in a standard size stove? What does a person gain by going with one of these decorative wee stoves vs. a standard size? Surely a guy can make a small stove work if needed but why would you select the small stove if you have a choice?

If width is the issue, look at the BK Chinook, and note the burn time. There are also many european stoves which are very narrow and tall, if you don't mind the contemporary look.

The other option is a cigar burn stove, such as the Jotul 100. I agree with Highbeam, though... not a great option for burn time. I'd only consider one of those, if installing in the passenger seat of my Volvo 240 wagon.

http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/...s-man-installs-wood-burning-stove-in-car?lite

T4 is kinda small for 1600sf unless your intention is just additional heat for the room it is in.
If your intention is to be burning only wood in real cold weather then you want something a little bigger.
You'd likely be burning at full tilt boogie in December and March and January and February mornings the bathroom toilet seats might be a little tough to be sitting on.

Your climate is fairly moderate and your home size would be a good fit for the T-5.. Another advantage of the T5 over the T4 is you can load EW and NS.. EW you can fit a 15-1/2" log and NS 18".. The T5 with good hardwood can burn 10-12 hrs. and like many others here once you start burning you'll probably want to do it 24/7 Welcome to the forum and good luck with your choice! Keep us posted on your decision and we love pics so post away

Ray

Great! Can't wait to see it installed.

TooColdHere said:

Well, all I can say is....THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!! Guess who just STUMBLED on a PE Alderlea T5 on clearance just two hours away???!! THIS GUY My only concern is, for the price I paid...it's a T4! I'll update tomorrow...fingers crossed. Supposed to be a '12 floor model. Deliver in the next week or two, but I have to do some demo and rebuild before she can be installed. WOOOHOOO! Again, I thank all of you! (I'll have to change my moniker soon!)

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Awesome mine is a 2007 unburned floor model I bought 2 years ago.. Congrats you'll love it!

Ray