Time to let the stove cool!!!!

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Diabel

Diabel

Minister of Fire
Jan 11, 2008
3,858
Ottawa, ON
So with this bloody cold snap the stove just can't do it. It is -13 outside, 75 downstairs (stove floor) & 59 upstairs & the sun has not gone down yet! Even if I crank up the thermostat to 76 - 77 (30' away from the stove) the furnace will kick in, bring the temp to that level & shut off..and the stove will maintain that temp. for a good while (30 min) before the furnace kick in again. Not enough to warm up the upstairs...

Wife & the kids are complaining!

Do I let the stove cool for few hours or what...maybe I should move the thermostat to the furthest point on the main floor.

If the outside temps stay around 20's then I have no problem upstairs stays nice 65, but this is just a bit too cold even for me.
 
Set the thermostat to 85, and keep on burnin. You're still gonna use less oil than without the stove.


Put the therm back down to a modest level before bed.
 
I'd keep the wood stove burning so what if you fossil plant turns on...this is a weather emergency.

We can all be thankful that because of our wood stoves the fossil plants are only heating the difference from 65 to 75 or what ever your comfort level is...and it'll always be warmer by our friend the wood stove.
 
I just run the stove normal and let the heat help out if needed (it rarely happens).. This is all about comfort so I see no problem doing this.. Keep the wife and kids happy and you'll be happy too..

Stay Warm,
Ray
 
tell the wife and kids to go downstairs.
i know what you saying, and my temps aint near yours yet.
I blanketed off 2 rooms upstairs last night to try to keep more heat in the main area.
like my back room is a refinished outside porch... it is a slate floor, on concrete-dirt surrounded by glass....i hung a sheet in the real real wide walkway and yelled, dont go inthe back room unless you wanna be cold!
its only for a few days.

and your stove hates rest.
it likes to work and eat wood!
 
Yeah, the thought of letting the stove cool in this weather gives me shivers....I will crank the thermostat to 85 for couple of hours & see what happens, thanks!
 
Cover or close the vents on the lower level, set the stat a couple degrees higher than the stove can keep it on its own. Adjust stat as needed.
 
raybonz said:
I just run the stove normal and let the heat help out if needed (it rarely happens).. This is all about comfort so I see no problem doing this.. Keep the wife and kids happy and you'll be happy too..

Stay Warm,
Ray
Click to expand...

Perfect example of the old adage... "If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy." Burn on!

(Edit: Post #333 for me. How appropriate! I'm officially Half Evil.) :vampire:
 
termv said:
Cover or close the vents on the lower level, set the stat a couple degrees higher than the stove can keep it on its own. Adjust stat as needed.
Click to expand...

I thought about this but I was once told that if I start closing too many air vents that puts too much stress on the furnace fan/blower & it might burnout prematurely.
 
Look for a way to move the cold air (upstairs) down to the warm air. Leave the furnace fan on to help "equalize" the temps. I have done both with good success.

Edit: You don't have to leave the furnace fan running constant. Just use it when you have a big temp difference from upper level to lower.
 
savageactor7 said:
I'd keep the wood stove burning so what if you fossil plant turns on...this is a weather emergency.
Click to expand...

Huh? How cold is it there. It was -30°F here last night. Gets at least that cold here every year.
 
MrSplitter said:
savageactor7 said:
I'd keep the wood stove burning so what if you fossil plant turns on...this is a weather emergency.
Click to expand...

Huh? How cold is it there. It was -30°F here last night. Gets at least that cold here every year.
Click to expand...

Kind of a latitudinal thing, dontcha think, MrSplitter? The bulk of the world's population lives in climates that normally don't reach the low temperatures you so casually brush off as being "normal", or no big deal, "what's the fuss about". Weather like this will literally shut down the infrastructure in areas where it's rare. I wish all well who are experiencing well below normal temps! Rick
 
It will hit -30 during the night sometimes but never during the day. This is the coldest I have seen in few years.

Man I have cranked the thermostat to 80...it is warm...uncomfortable warm, totally different from 80 from wood heat. And the upstairs temp is creeping up 62.
 
As mentioned its all about air movement. I have times where the air isn't flowing well. I have found by cracking a window for a minutes and/or shutting a door to get the flow started. Seems once it starts is it keeps going.

Yesterday we were at 0*f. Last night -18*f. -2*f today. Supposed to be -30*f tonite. Currently -20*f. I'm lucky in that I have good air flow. House main level stays around 72*f lower level 78*f. I do need a very thick bed of coals and a reload every 5-6 hours. I have not had to use the oil furnace. I'm sooo glad I got a bigger stove!

Best of luck... stay warm.
 
Hey Rowski,

I wish my house was an open concept but it is not, 1906 (built - very well insulated) with an add-on. Relatively narrow stairwell, kids rooms stay ok in terms of temps. It is the master bd that is way too cool.

As for the stove she is a trooper, continuous 600-650* (griddle) in the past few days. She is just way undersized (house is 3100 sqft)
 
Glad to hear your status report. This time calls for max BTUs, anyway we can get them.

Keep warm.
 
Valhalla said:
Glad to hear your status report. This time calls for max BTUs, anyway we can get them.

Keep warm.
Click to expand...

Hey Valhalla,

I still can not believe how clean your stove looks!

My encore here, she is really working hard!! As many stoves out there!
 
Diabel said:
termv said:
Cover or close the vents on the lower level, set the stat a couple degrees higher than the stove can keep it on its own. Adjust stat as needed.
Click to expand...

I thought about this but I was once told that if I start closing too many air vents that puts too much stress on the furnace fan/blower & it might burnout prematurely.
Click to expand...

More vents closed makes less work for your blower motor as it will have less air to move. The blower wheel starts to free wheel.
Less air flow= less work=less amp draw. You will get a greater temp rise accross your exchanger which= hotter air.
As long as its within the temp max range stated in your manual there will be no extra stress on your exchanger. That would be
your only concern. This does not effect your blower motor.
 
Diabel said:
Valhalla said:
Glad to hear your status report. This time calls for max BTUs, anyway we can get them.

Keep warm.
Click to expand...

Hey Valhalla,

I still can not believe how clean your stove looks!

My encore here, she is really working hard!! As many stoves out there!
Click to expand...

Hey Diabel,

Thanks for the compliment. It is nothing special, just that shiny and expensive enamel job by VC. I'll post a better photo some day.

Hey, yes we woodburners are "enjoying" this fine weather, see:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=12928

Keep warm.
 
Diabel said:
So with this bloody cold snap the stove just can't do it. It is -13 outside, 75 downstairs (stove floor) & 59 upstairs & the sun has not gone down yet! Even if I crank up the thermostat to 76 - 77 (30' away from the stove) the furnace will kick in, bring the temp to that level & shut off..and the stove will maintain that temp. for a good while (30 min) before the furnace kick in again. Not enough to warm up the upstairs...

Wife & the kids are complaining!

Do I let the stove cool for few hours or what...maybe I should move the thermostat to the furthest point on the main floor.

If the outside temps stay around 20's then I have no problem upstairs stays nice 65, but this is just a bit too cold even for me.
Click to expand...

Basement stoves are often less than ideal. Ideally the stove should be where the heat is needed.

Can you put a fan at the top of the stairs pointed downward to blow upper floor cool air into the warm basement? The cooler air will be replace with warmer air from the basement.
 
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