Waking up to a warm home is a good start...

[iceisasolid]

Greetings,

I've been checking out what others have been doing for a while...

3 splits N/S... 3 splits E/W... I recently had a problem/question about draft and smoke which seemed to be resolved by giving my chimney cap a good cleaning.

I have been running the stove a little hotter (650) and noticed that the secondaries run longer. I have been loading 5 splits in the NC 30 since the last cleaning. Splits are between 8-10 inches wide at the base (haven't measured) and I load 3 of them with 2 inverted in between the ones on the bottom . I have been having consistent 8+ hour burns, a warm home with the upstairs being the low 70s, downs stairs in the low 80s, and coals enough to start a fire to run during the day. This morning, I awoke to a 300 F stove, coals for starting, upstairs 76 F, down higher 80s. So I am using about 13-15 splits per day.

Granted, I may be using a little more wood than I need at this time, but I'm still figuring out how to use this stove after my 2nd season of burning wood. I think that I've used close to 3 cords this season (beginning in late September).


Stay warm.

-Ray

 

[Beer Belly]

Sounds like your doing pretty good. There is a learning curve, we've been burning for about 4 years....still learning....and this site is full of teachers willing to teach.

 

[HotCoals]

2,931 heating degrees day here in this area since July(that's where they start it)..and I have not burnt two cords yet...more like 4.5 face cords.

 

[ScotO]

Greetings,

I've been checking out what others have been doing for a while...

3 splits N/S... 3 splits E/W... I recently had a problem/question about draft and smoke which seemed to be resolved by giving my chimney cap a good cleaning.

I have been running the stove a little hotter (650) and noticed that the secondaries run longer. I have been loading 5 splits in the NC 30 since the last cleaning. Splits are between 8-10 inches wide at the base (haven't measured) and I load 3 of them with 2 inverted in between the ones on the bottom . I have been having consistent 8+ hour burns, a warm home with the upstairs being the low 70s, downs stairs in the low 80s, and coals enough to start a fire to run during the day. This morning, I awoke to a 300 F stove, coals for starting, upstairs 76 F, down higher 80s. So I am using about 13-15 splits per day.

Granted, I may be using a little more wood than I need at this time, but I'm still figuring out how to use this stove after my 2nd season of burning wood. I think that I've used close to 3 cords this season (beginning in late September).

Stay warm.

-Ray

This is a very good description of what you are doing! My only question is, what kind of wood are you burning? I don't think 3 cords is bad at all, I think that is pretty good. And 15 splits a day (depending on what kind of wood it is) isn't too bad. How big is your home? I will say one thing, I believe your wood is seasoned well, and you have a good routine, because you are getting that house plenty warm!

 

[iceisasolid]

This is a very good description of what you are doing! My only question is, what kind of wood are you burning? I don't think 3 cords is bad at all, I think that is pretty good. And 15 splits a day (depending on what kind of wood it is) isn't too bad. How big is your home? I will say one thing, I believe your wood is seasoned well, and you have a good routine, because you are getting that house plenty warm!

My home is about 1800 sq ft, 2 level home, built into a hillside with a walk out basement. The wood came from a logging truck load of mixed Tamarack/red fir/pine/white fir (13+ cords). I enjoy the stove, way more than the ease of flipping a switch to turn on the furnace.

Costs:
$2000 for the chimney and pipe with install
$709 NC 30 delivered compliments of Home Depot
$1200 for the logging truck load

We'll see what I get back from the taxes this year. Idaho allegedly offers a 40% tax credit year #1 then 20% for the next 3 years on the install and the stove.

Thanks for the assistance that the site has provided. I have appreciated it.

-Ray

 

[ScotO]

I think you will find that over the years you will recover all your investment, and you are keeping your money in America using our own fuel. You're doing a great job, Ray. Keep it up!

 

[Loco Gringo]

and you are keeping your money in America using our own fuel. You're doing a great job, Ray. Keep it up!

Youre damn right Scotty! Ray, you get a pat on the back my man.

 

[corey21]

Good burn time.

Good work.

 

[Waulie]

I have to say, 3 cords already seems like a lot to me. Then again, if your downstairs is in the high 80s in morning I can see why. I'm sure things will continue to settle down a bit for you. If you can't tame the beast, you might want to consider loading a little less full and resorting to some small kindling or even a little fire starter in the morning to conserve a little wood. You certainly aren't doing anything wrong, but that is a hot house!