I am looking for opinions and advice on buying a used stove for use as my primary whole-house heat source.
Here is my situation:
The house is in Vermont and is 1100 sq ft on two floors, one of which is the basement. The stove will be located in the basement which is unfinished concrete floor and walls (possibly to be finished in the future) and also has one exposed, walk-out side. The house is stick frame construction 2x4 walls with fiberglass insulation built 10 years ago. I have sealed as many places for infiltration that were accessible, and there is still some leakage, but not bad at all. Ceilings are 8 ft. Windows are all double glazed with a few exceptions that will be replaced over time. There are currently no registers between floors, but I will cut some as necessary.
The chimney is 6†metalbestos, 20 ft straight run up through the core of the house.
The wood is split, dried, stacked and covered for a year plus.
I am leaning toward the purchase of a steel stove (although would also take ideas for cast iron and soapstone, in the event that a good used one comes up.)
The stove has to have a firebox large enough for overnight burn.
I prefer a stove that can be loaded front to back. (I’d also consider one that has a side loading door, so splits can go straight in.) Prefer simpler, like no ash pan, as I find that just creates more place for future air leakage and most are not designed well. Prefer quality, something that will last with good care. I definitely want a non-cat stove.
Cook top would be a bonus. Future plan includes heating domestic hot water with a coil in the wood stove.
So far I have looked at Quadrafire 3100ACT, but have seen in person and read about the crack problem in the rear manifold in one used stove that was for sale here. I have seen another ad for a 3100F the older model?, approx 1993?, but now I feel like at 20 years old that may not be a wise choice. Any thoughts?
I have heard good things about Regency, but unclear if 1100 or 2400 would be better for my situation. Also they don’t seem to come up for sale often.
I’ve read about cracks with both Lopi and PE.
Are Ashley stoves pre-EPA? I cannot find any data on them.
Any specific makes and models and info or suggestions would be appreciated. It would also help to know which models to avoid, so that I don’t make the kind of mistake I did with the Quad 3100ACT again.
Here is my situation:
The house is in Vermont and is 1100 sq ft on two floors, one of which is the basement. The stove will be located in the basement which is unfinished concrete floor and walls (possibly to be finished in the future) and also has one exposed, walk-out side. The house is stick frame construction 2x4 walls with fiberglass insulation built 10 years ago. I have sealed as many places for infiltration that were accessible, and there is still some leakage, but not bad at all. Ceilings are 8 ft. Windows are all double glazed with a few exceptions that will be replaced over time. There are currently no registers between floors, but I will cut some as necessary.
The chimney is 6†metalbestos, 20 ft straight run up through the core of the house.
The wood is split, dried, stacked and covered for a year plus.
I am leaning toward the purchase of a steel stove (although would also take ideas for cast iron and soapstone, in the event that a good used one comes up.)
The stove has to have a firebox large enough for overnight burn.
I prefer a stove that can be loaded front to back. (I’d also consider one that has a side loading door, so splits can go straight in.) Prefer simpler, like no ash pan, as I find that just creates more place for future air leakage and most are not designed well. Prefer quality, something that will last with good care. I definitely want a non-cat stove.
Cook top would be a bonus. Future plan includes heating domestic hot water with a coil in the wood stove.
So far I have looked at Quadrafire 3100ACT, but have seen in person and read about the crack problem in the rear manifold in one used stove that was for sale here. I have seen another ad for a 3100F the older model?, approx 1993?, but now I feel like at 20 years old that may not be a wise choice. Any thoughts?
I have heard good things about Regency, but unclear if 1100 or 2400 would be better for my situation. Also they don’t seem to come up for sale often.
I’ve read about cracks with both Lopi and PE.
Are Ashley stoves pre-EPA? I cannot find any data on them.
Any specific makes and models and info or suggestions would be appreciated. It would also help to know which models to avoid, so that I don’t make the kind of mistake I did with the Quad 3100ACT again.