My plans for a wood boiler have been put on the back burner for a while. I need to get a wood stove for my existing fireplace for next winter. These oil bills are downright obscene!
That said, up until last year I had a VC Encore that was an older unit which heated our old house perfectly. Unfortunately it went with the old house and I have yet to forgive myself for doing so. Wifey is also not thrilled. Anyway, I always liked the way that stove worked. Yes, it did require some new parts over the years, two catalysts and a new rear firebox as well as some gaskets, but small price to pay for gobs of heat.
I know that the company is in it's like, fourth ownership or whatever, and I'm not too keen on how talked down they are. But I really love the look of this stove and how easy it is to load and clean. Do you guys have any suggestions on a comparable stove? I'm heating a center hall colonial that's about 1800sq ft. The downside is that the fireplace is on the north side of the house and is in a room which is 24x14 with only one doorway leading in and out. I know the room will be hot but if I can move the air around I can make it work.
I have no interest in doing an insert although I like the look. What I don't like is having to get on my knees to load and clean one since the hearth is at floor level. I also would like to avoid a blower since the stove will be in the living room where the tv will be. Some of those fans make enough noise that you wind up blaring the tv. Volume which in turn wakes up the children which causes domestic distress in the household.
Honestly I'm not adverse to picking up another VC either new or used. I'm not sure how this forum community feels about that decision though. Another consideration is flue size. I have a guy who is willing to sell me 40' of stainless liner slightly used for like $200 but it's 8". Seems like most stoves now want a 6". I am trying to make this happen without coughing up too much dough.
So, thoughts? Suggestions?
Much appreciated.
That said, up until last year I had a VC Encore that was an older unit which heated our old house perfectly. Unfortunately it went with the old house and I have yet to forgive myself for doing so. Wifey is also not thrilled. Anyway, I always liked the way that stove worked. Yes, it did require some new parts over the years, two catalysts and a new rear firebox as well as some gaskets, but small price to pay for gobs of heat.
I know that the company is in it's like, fourth ownership or whatever, and I'm not too keen on how talked down they are. But I really love the look of this stove and how easy it is to load and clean. Do you guys have any suggestions on a comparable stove? I'm heating a center hall colonial that's about 1800sq ft. The downside is that the fireplace is on the north side of the house and is in a room which is 24x14 with only one doorway leading in and out. I know the room will be hot but if I can move the air around I can make it work.
I have no interest in doing an insert although I like the look. What I don't like is having to get on my knees to load and clean one since the hearth is at floor level. I also would like to avoid a blower since the stove will be in the living room where the tv will be. Some of those fans make enough noise that you wind up blaring the tv. Volume which in turn wakes up the children which causes domestic distress in the household.
Honestly I'm not adverse to picking up another VC either new or used. I'm not sure how this forum community feels about that decision though. Another consideration is flue size. I have a guy who is willing to sell me 40' of stainless liner slightly used for like $200 but it's 8". Seems like most stoves now want a 6". I am trying to make this happen without coughing up too much dough.
So, thoughts? Suggestions?
Much appreciated.
