This is a question I was going to actually post as a question for help, but I'll try this thread 1st.
I go through about a cord of wood a month (24/7) here in coastal Maine. I heat about 1800sf with it, house temp 67-70 (63 at night)
I called a wood supplier who seemed surprised I burn that much wood. Of course he couldn't tell me what is normal (there is no such thing w/so many variables).
My wood is reasonably seasoned (split last fall or earlier; 1st load I got was June and that was partially seaoned then)
I try and keep stovetop temp 350-450; I get about 8 or 9 hours w/ a full box on my VC Vigilant (1970s or 80s non-cat; not an insert but a damper converstion). This leaves me w/ stove top temp of around 300 or so and a strong bed of coals (though more unconsumed fuel under/in the ashes - i.e., less complete burning)
Questions:
1) is the above reasonable?
2) what is more efficient from a fuel consumption standpoint- a) burning like the above (I get about 3 fireboxes full/day), b) start w/full and properly-temped firebox and let burn down to nothing (200 stovetop temp) and rebuild, or c) just continually feed throughout the day and do the full bank at night?
Thanks,
HockeyBum
I go through about a cord of wood a month (24/7) here in coastal Maine. I heat about 1800sf with it, house temp 67-70 (63 at night)
I called a wood supplier who seemed surprised I burn that much wood. Of course he couldn't tell me what is normal (there is no such thing w/so many variables).
My wood is reasonably seasoned (split last fall or earlier; 1st load I got was June and that was partially seaoned then)
I try and keep stovetop temp 350-450; I get about 8 or 9 hours w/ a full box on my VC Vigilant (1970s or 80s non-cat; not an insert but a damper converstion). This leaves me w/ stove top temp of around 300 or so and a strong bed of coals (though more unconsumed fuel under/in the ashes - i.e., less complete burning)
Questions:
1) is the above reasonable?
2) what is more efficient from a fuel consumption standpoint- a) burning like the above (I get about 3 fireboxes full/day), b) start w/full and properly-temped firebox and let burn down to nothing (200 stovetop temp) and rebuild, or c) just continually feed throughout the day and do the full bank at night?
Thanks,
HockeyBum
