Hi! I am a 70 year-old nurse who lives in a subdivision (past two years) but who loves a wood fire. For 30 years, I lived in the NC mtns and heated with Mama Bear. When I moved to TN foothills, I lived in a home with a Jotul F3 CB not for primary heat but for comfort fires. Two years ago I bought a home in an older subdivision thinking that it would be good to have people around as I get older, but I am missing having a wood fire and have rented a cabin with a wood stove each winter to ease my soul 
. I have decided to install a wood stove in my 1970, 3-level, 1668sq ft home. Main level is open living area, kitchen and dining- 560sqft; upper level bedrooms and bath-746sqft; lower level den and laundry- 362sqft. with wood floors throughout. I must use a certified installer per homeowners insurance specifications with 2 options available in my area. One sells Pacific Energy exclusively; the other sells Osburn, Vermont Castings, Jotul. Must be EPA certified. Either installer will allow me to choose a different brand stove. I currently use electric heat and will continue to use this as primary, but I look forward to being able to close off rooms that I don't use and heat others with wood at times. I am mainly interested in a large glass viewing area and having a place to watch the fire, be cozy and get warm! I'm pretty good at starting fires and adusting damper, etc. Of course, I don't want to worry about a house fire, and I am very active, still working some and going places lots. I have been looking at Drolet Columbia II, Pacific Energy Vista, Osburn 1700. I would very much appreciate any discussion from you! My budget is not huge, but this is one of my main purchase priorities. Thanks so much!
. I have decided to install a wood stove in my 1970, 3-level, 1668sq ft home. Main level is open living area, kitchen and dining- 560sqft; upper level bedrooms and bath-746sqft; lower level den and laundry- 362sqft. with wood floors throughout. I must use a certified installer per homeowners insurance specifications with 2 options available in my area. One sells Pacific Energy exclusively; the other sells Osburn, Vermont Castings, Jotul. Must be EPA certified. Either installer will allow me to choose a different brand stove. I currently use electric heat and will continue to use this as primary, but I look forward to being able to close off rooms that I don't use and heat others with wood at times. I am mainly interested in a large glass viewing area and having a place to watch the fire, be cozy and get warm! I'm pretty good at starting fires and adusting damper, etc. Of course, I don't want to worry about a house fire, and I am very active, still working some and going places lots. I have been looking at Drolet Columbia II, Pacific Energy Vista, Osburn 1700. I would very much appreciate any discussion from you! My budget is not huge, but this is one of my main purchase priorities. Thanks so much!
