I bought a home with a better and bens fireplace insert on the main floor of a cape. Last winter I closed of the upstairs and burned 8 cords of wood in Maine. The insert has two front doors with glass witch makes viewing the fire nice. But it seem to a pig on wood. I have searched the net on this stove and cant find it BTU output rating. Anyone have any idea? I even closed of my living and dining room on the first floor since I have a large country kitchen , bed and bathroom also on the first floor. I am wondering if the newer inserts put out more BTU'S with less wood and heat going up the chimney. I would like to know its BTU rating so I can compare apples with apples. Not hersure if some type of combuster is available to make it more efficient or not. I thinking another insert might be more efficient or possibly and Ashley or wonder wood burner in front of the mantel. My sister is heating her house with an Ashley wood stove and using a lot less wood and heating a bigger area. The bens seems to be a wood pig and need a lot of feeding. Any ideas on improving this set up? All replies will be appreciated. Not very familiar with the different set ups out there. But oil has gotten to expensive. I did read some of the posts when doing a better and bens search. Found no mention of the BTU output. I believe they where made in the 70's and are out of business. Made by hayes equipment. I do use small fan to help circulate the heat thru the chambers into the room so less goes up the chimney.
Thanks newbie
Thanks newbie