I have a 2 year old bungalow with a walkout basement. When using the fireplace on the main floor, the basement is quite cool (furnace doesn't come on). I plan to put a wood stove in the basement but am having trouble deciding on the size. I was planning to install either an Alderlea T5 of a Jotul 45, but am worried they might be too large. The main room is about 500 sq ft with 9 ft ceilings. There are 5 large windows and a patio door in this room and an open staircase to the 1st floor. Total basement size is about 1600 sq ft. There is a bedroom in the basement, so would like longer burn times so guests wouldn't be cold by the morning. Do you think either of these stoves would be appropriate ? Thanks
Help choosing wood stove for basement
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It sounds like the T5 will work out ok. It has good long burn times with a full load of wood, and it does fine on a partial load of wood during milder weather. The open staircase will help it from getting too hot and will make the upstairs easier to heat.
Are the basement walls insulated?
Are the basement walls insulated?
Yes front of walkout is insulated frame construction. Forgot to mention I'm in Ontario, Canada.
Got down to -10F a few nights last winter.
Yes, I saw Ontario in your avatar. When it drops below 25F you will have the T5 running full loads.
Do you have any access to good fully seasoned firewood? Modern stoves need dry wood to perform well.
Do you have any access to good fully seasoned firewood? Modern stoves need dry wood to perform well.
Swedishchef
Minister of Fire
Welcome to the forums!
Hmmm...where in Ontario do you live? There is a big difference between the weather in Dryden vs Niagara falls.
That is a big basement. If you are trying to heat only the basement a T5 could do it. I would consider maybe even going a bit bigger. The windows, door and staircase will take away some heat from the room and ya may be a bit disappointing in terms of performance.
Will the chimney be indoors or outdoors?
A
Hmmm...where in Ontario do you live? There is a big difference between the weather in Dryden vs Niagara falls.
That is a big basement. If you are trying to heat only the basement a T5 could do it. I would consider maybe even going a bit bigger. The windows, door and staircase will take away some heat from the room and ya may be a bit disappointing in terms of performance.
Will the chimney be indoors or outdoors?
A
I'm in eastern Ontario, a little south of Ottawa. The 500 sq ft includes a 100 sq ft hall.
The T5 is rated for 1,600 sq ft. and I as worried it would cook me out of the basement room.
Grisu
Minister of Fire
The furnace not turning on may not be the only reason. Fireplaces are notoriously inefficient as they send a lot of heated air up the flue and that lost air is being pulled in from the outside into the house somewhere. Maybe a door in the basement is the place of least resistance. To not cause troubles with the new stove I recommend installing an outside air kit with it. That way the stove and fireplace will not compete for limited combustion air which would lead to backdrafts and smoke spillages.
Sqft ratings are usually made up in the sales department and not very reliable. The T5 will serve you well and some well placed fans can help in moving the heat through the house. You could post a rough floorplan if you want some ideas.
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brad wilton
Feeling the Heat
Go for t-5 can always build small fires can't do much if you need more heat andstove is to small.only a few nights of minus 10f better check your thermostat 
Swedishchef
Minister of Fire
You can always make a small fire in the stove. The T5 will serve you well. However, I was almost going to suggest the T6. I can tell you that unless you are heating a totally open space, heating 1600 sq ft in your climate isn't easy. You'll need some small fans moving the air around.
Here's my case. My stove room is in a room that is 375 SQFT. It is located in the basement of my house (bungalow). My floor plan is about 1250 sqft and the back room reaches about 22C while the stove room reaches 28 or so (I have R22 in my full walls and only 5 windows) I also have a staircase beside the stove room which promotes heat rising to the main floor.
As Grisu mentioned, fireplaces are not heaters. Do you have an insert in it? Or is it a free standing fireplace?
Andrew
My 1st floor heater is a sealed EPA fireplace (Kozy Z42) with an outside air supply and does well heating that space.
Most of the space in the basement is behind doors and some rooms I'm not worried about heating (storage, utility, workshop etc) My concern is that most of the heat will be confined to the main room making it uncomfortable
Swedishchef
Minister of Fire
Ahhhhh, gotcha. You forgot to mention that in your earlier posts.
I guess the size of stove is for you to decide. Just remember that you can make a medium/small fire in a big stove but a small stove simply won't be able to keep up (depending on your setup/expectations).
The T5 is a solid heater, I think it should be able to suit your needs. My stove is a radiant stove, huge glass window. My stove room CAN become unberable when I load it to the top and some basement rooms are closed off, reducing the surface heated by the unit. But my stove is 3.1 cu ft..a comparison would be the T6.
Andrew
I guess the size of stove is for you to decide. Just remember that you can make a medium/small fire in a big stove but a small stove simply won't be able to keep up (depending on your setup/expectations).
The T5 is a solid heater, I think it should be able to suit your needs. My stove is a radiant stove, huge glass window. My stove room CAN become unberable when I load it to the top and some basement rooms are closed off, reducing the surface heated by the unit. But my stove is 3.1 cu ft..a comparison would be the T6.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew and everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it. I think I'll go for the medium T5 or Jotul.
One more question. The dealer says I don't need a blower for that sized room but I'm not convinced and think it would be useful. Opinions?
Swedishchef
Minister of Fire
Personally I do not use my blower, I would rather use a fan on a tripod. It allows more flexibility when wanting to circulate air (direction, angle, etc).
Let us know which one you get!
Andrew
Let us know which one you get!
Andrew
A blower can be added later if you want. On our stove it only is turned on during very cold weather when I am pushing the stove harder. But as noted, it's not the only option.
husky345 vermont resolute
Feeling the Heat
can I recommend the drolet classic xaxa. price is right and you can get it at ct for 899 . 2.4 c u firebox with overnight burns no dig deal
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