- Nov 27, 2012
- 0
Question:
I live in Northern Virginia in a 3000 square foot house. I have 2 fireplaces- 1 in the first floor den and 1 in the upstairs master bedroom. Currently- I have 2 Vermont Castings woodstove inserts- 1 in each fireplace. These are older models (#0044) and neither is direct connected to the flue. I also have vaulted ceilings on the first floor and master bedroom. The problem is that the stoves hardly generate any heat. I can barely get them above 200 degrees. What would you suggest I do. Direct connect or buy new woodstoves. Would a better stove solve my problem and not make me rely on the heat pump- or is there a different brand of woodstove that you recommend. I am home only in the early morning and then again in the evening and I have a fear of letting a woodstove burn while I am not at home. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated
Answer:
A pellet stove will cost you more in fuel- is expensive to begin with and will require an entire chimney relining. In addition- it will need electric to operate. That said- it will produce some nice heat. So will either your existing woodstoves or a new one. Your problem is one --or both of two things
1. Poor draft...no matter which stove you purchase you will not get any heat out of it unless you have a good draft. this will require at least a direct connection to the flue- and preferable a relining of the chimney to the top.
2. Poor wood...If your wood is wet or not fully seasoned- this will also cause the low temperature problem. All in all- sounds like a draft problem to me. A newer stove will be more efficient on wood and keep your chimney cleaner..also the glass doors stay clean and look really nice...but they still need good draft ! <p>
Improving your draft is an art, not a science, but two things you can do are;
1. Line your chimney partially or fully with stainless steel.
2. Extend the height of your chimney.<p>Some new lightweight and inexpensive chimney extenders are available now...see link below.
Link: Extend-A-Flue Chimney Extensions
I live in Northern Virginia in a 3000 square foot house. I have 2 fireplaces- 1 in the first floor den and 1 in the upstairs master bedroom. Currently- I have 2 Vermont Castings woodstove inserts- 1 in each fireplace. These are older models (#0044) and neither is direct connected to the flue. I also have vaulted ceilings on the first floor and master bedroom. The problem is that the stoves hardly generate any heat. I can barely get them above 200 degrees. What would you suggest I do. Direct connect or buy new woodstoves. Would a better stove solve my problem and not make me rely on the heat pump- or is there a different brand of woodstove that you recommend. I am home only in the early morning and then again in the evening and I have a fear of letting a woodstove burn while I am not at home. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated
Answer:
A pellet stove will cost you more in fuel- is expensive to begin with and will require an entire chimney relining. In addition- it will need electric to operate. That said- it will produce some nice heat. So will either your existing woodstoves or a new one. Your problem is one --or both of two things
1. Poor draft...no matter which stove you purchase you will not get any heat out of it unless you have a good draft. this will require at least a direct connection to the flue- and preferable a relining of the chimney to the top.
2. Poor wood...If your wood is wet or not fully seasoned- this will also cause the low temperature problem. All in all- sounds like a draft problem to me. A newer stove will be more efficient on wood and keep your chimney cleaner..also the glass doors stay clean and look really nice...but they still need good draft ! <p>
Improving your draft is an art, not a science, but two things you can do are;
1. Line your chimney partially or fully with stainless steel.
2. Extend the height of your chimney.<p>Some new lightweight and inexpensive chimney extenders are available now...see link below.
Link: Extend-A-Flue Chimney Extensions
