So I have a 1500 square foot 2nd story gambrel home and this will be the first real test of the Napoleons ability to maintain heat since I've owned it. The temp got down to 2 degrees last night with more low temps on the way. My house was built in 1964 and has decent insulation, however, I've noticed there are some drafty vinyl replacement windows in areas of the house. Basement has no heat, but is well insulated with an oil burner that still kicks on ocassionally to heat hot water. No worries on pipes freezing down there.
My overall impression of the stove so far has been very good. I loaded the stove last night at about 10:30pm with 6 splits of seasoned oak and gradually shut the air down until it was cruising at 550. Temp in the upstairs bedroom at bedtime was about 70 and woke up around 3am put a new load in the stove. At that time temps felt like they dropped down to 60s. Upstairs is noticeably cooler for obvious reasons. Downstairs has been maintaining in the mid 60s and pushing into the 70s when the stove is cranking along. So far with the cool temps I'm happy with the stove, but I have noticed that I can't load up before bed and wait until 6am to reload. Even though there's still coals in the morning, the stove just isn't keeping the temps up in the house. At least for the wifes liking.
When temps are more seasonal in the 20s and 30s which is the majority of the time, this stove heats my house optimally. But even at colder temps it's cranking right along and keeping everywhere in the house comfortable. I agree with everyone on this forum that seasoned wood is key!
My overall impression of the stove so far has been very good. I loaded the stove last night at about 10:30pm with 6 splits of seasoned oak and gradually shut the air down until it was cruising at 550. Temp in the upstairs bedroom at bedtime was about 70 and woke up around 3am put a new load in the stove. At that time temps felt like they dropped down to 60s. Upstairs is noticeably cooler for obvious reasons. Downstairs has been maintaining in the mid 60s and pushing into the 70s when the stove is cranking along. So far with the cool temps I'm happy with the stove, but I have noticed that I can't load up before bed and wait until 6am to reload. Even though there's still coals in the morning, the stove just isn't keeping the temps up in the house. At least for the wifes liking.
When temps are more seasonal in the 20s and 30s which is the majority of the time, this stove heats my house optimally. But even at colder temps it's cranking right along and keeping everywhere in the house comfortable. I agree with everyone on this forum that seasoned wood is key!
