i think *almost all pellet stoves are noisy.
i know there is one high end brand that i read here is quieter than others.
but it costs over twice as much as the ps50 (maybe more i don't recall)
i have the ps50 and it is rated for 1200 sq. ft.
it is easy to clean. the firepot has big holes and lots of them.
in the month and a half i've had it, there is zero issue with blocked holes.
on high it's loud.
i watch tv in my room. if you want the stove in the same room as the tv, i'm guessing you'd want to run it on medium and turn your tv up a bit.
but from what i have read, this is the case with almost all stoves.
if possible, check one out at a dealer to actually hear it.
the oak for this stove is expensive because of the extra collar it requires.
seems bogus to me that it would be twice as much as other oem kits for other stoves.
like $120 to $135 yikes!
but you could fashion your own collar and do it for much less.
our 935 sq. ft. house is cozy with it on medium.
we have a linear layout ranch though. and i am still perfecting the air movement situation.
i just ordered a vornado 510 room air circulator. on special this month from vornado's own site $29.99 free shipping.
http://www.vornado.com/product.aspx?CategoryID=fc1b32ec-99a3-445d-a874-47c311299b54
but air movement is a common thread with many many folks here.
i'd hazard to guess that if your 1500 sq. feet is a two story set up, you could do well with the ps50.
i just have a narrow hall and four total door/archways to get the air to the back bedroom here.
the vornado will help overcome these obstacles.
if i had owned the stove longer i could tell you more about reliability.
but they have known parts and simple electronics.
it really is super easy to clean imo.
the side panels give great access to both motors.
the deck will be too hot for your cat. but the pedestal stand makes it so you don't need a heat rated pad (raises the firebox high off the floor). i'm using a generic non combustible 36"x36" mat.
even w/o heat exchange tubes, it's efficiency qualifies for the solid fuel device tax credit. so it's >75%. no tubes to clean either.
just three back baffle plates that pop right out.