The right wood stove choice.

[vtshredder]

I purchased a new very tight house with radiant heating from the slab. I am looking into cutting the propane costs, so I want to install a wood stove. The house is ranch with an in-laws apartment above the garage. The main portion of the house in an open floor plan with a kitchen, living, and dining area about 400 square feet. The entire downstairs is 1200 square feet. The in-laws apartment is 700 square feet. Right now we are just trying heat the downstairs with the wood stove but eventually we want to break through the wall, put an interior set of stairs in and make the in-laws apartment the master bedroom. Should I put in a wood stove designed to heat both places, or put in a smaller wood stove to start and then upgrade the stove when the master suite is done? If smaller wood stove first, any recommendations on stoves?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Your budget?

 

[vtshredder]

Limited to start, but if it's worth it to buy a bigger stove first I can wait it out. Maybe $1500? Just researching first.

 

[vtshredder]

A women I work with has a Vermont Castings Encore only a few years old that is in really good shape, and I could get a good deal on it. Any thoughts on that particular model?

 

[tarzan]

I would size the stove to take care of any future heating needs if possible.. But, if anything can outlast a good wood stove it's in-laws.

 

[lopiliberty]

A women I work with has a Vermont Castings Encore only a few years old that is in really good shape, and I could get a good deal on it. Any thoughts on that particular model?

While they are a nice looking stove, I would stay away from Vermont castings stoves, especially if its a non-cat. Parts are hard to get and can be very expensive. The main thing is do you have 2-3 year seasoned split staked wood? If not your not going to be happy with any stove you buy

 

[weatherguy]

Do you have a flue to connect your wood stove or do you need to buy pipe?

 

[vtshredder]

have to buy the pipe too. Yes I have been clearing around our house for three years now. The house was just built a few years ago.

 

[Kool_hand_Looke]

In-law suite?

Or out-law suite...

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I purchased a new very tight house with radiant heating from the slab. I am looking into cutting the propane costs, so I want to install a wood stove. The house is ranch with an in-laws apartment above the garage. The main portion of the house in an open floor plan with a kitchen, living, and dining area about 400 square feet. The entire downstairs is 1200 square feet. The in-laws apartment is 700 square feet. Right now we are just trying heat the downstairs with the wood stove but eventually we want to break through the wall, put an interior set of stairs in and make the in-laws apartment the master bedroom. Should I put in a wood stove designed to heat both places, or put in a smaller wood stove to start and then upgrade the stove when the master suite is done? If smaller wood stove first, any recommendations on stoves?

Installing wood stoves is a pain in the @$$. I would get the one you want to end up with, unless you like projects and moving heavy things or you don't mind paying someone else to do it.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Limited to start, but if it's worth it to buy a bigger stove first I can wait it out. Maybe $1500? Just researching first.

Is that just for the stove or does that include the pipe and installation? $1500 won't get you very far if that's your total budget.