Hello all,
I have a 2500 square foot split level home in Mass. I currently have a free standing Enviro EF3 burning about 4.5 tons a season. I supplement with oil heat when the temp drops.
My lower level remains in the mid 70's throughout the winter. Upstairs can vary to 58-61 degrees in the back bedrooms during the coldest nights. I'm fine with this temp but I have two children under the age of two. I set the oil heat to supplement the heat up to 64-65 in the remote areas of the home.
I have a fireplace on the upper level and I'm considering adding a pellet stove insert to elminate the need to use any oil or compromise comfort. I'm thinking that I could possibly get away with the same 4 to 5 tons of pellets, as I won't need to keep the lower level as hot. The lower level is partially underground and could go without any heat in the fall and spring. We tend to get it too hot when it is very cold in order to spread heat to the rest of the house. I'm hoping to run it on low, while making up the difference upstairs.
This is my third year burning pellets. Before I make an additional investment (current incentives certainly help), I'm curious if anyone else runs two stoves and what sort of performance/ROI they are experiencing. I'm also concerned about putting all of my heating eggs in one basket. For that reason, I'm contemplating a wood stove insert. I grew up in a home that was heated entirely by wood and I realize that it would be far more maintenance.
I appreciate the feedback!
I have a 2500 square foot split level home in Mass. I currently have a free standing Enviro EF3 burning about 4.5 tons a season. I supplement with oil heat when the temp drops.
My lower level remains in the mid 70's throughout the winter. Upstairs can vary to 58-61 degrees in the back bedrooms during the coldest nights. I'm fine with this temp but I have two children under the age of two. I set the oil heat to supplement the heat up to 64-65 in the remote areas of the home.
I have a fireplace on the upper level and I'm considering adding a pellet stove insert to elminate the need to use any oil or compromise comfort. I'm thinking that I could possibly get away with the same 4 to 5 tons of pellets, as I won't need to keep the lower level as hot. The lower level is partially underground and could go without any heat in the fall and spring. We tend to get it too hot when it is very cold in order to spread heat to the rest of the house. I'm hoping to run it on low, while making up the difference upstairs.
This is my third year burning pellets. Before I make an additional investment (current incentives certainly help), I'm curious if anyone else runs two stoves and what sort of performance/ROI they are experiencing. I'm also concerned about putting all of my heating eggs in one basket. For that reason, I'm contemplating a wood stove insert. I grew up in a home that was heated entirely by wood and I realize that it would be far more maintenance.
I appreciate the feedback!