I am in the process of finishing part of my basement and would like to put a pellet stove down there to heat the area.(600sq feet or so) I have been looking at the stoves at lowes. My question is should I buy a small one to heat the area or go for a bigger size and possibly gain some heat upstairs? Any input would be appreciated.
Advice of size of stove.
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I have Harman Accentra FS in a 1200 sq ft downstairs and am wishing now I put in a bigger stove. One that holds 2 bags of pellets would have been nice especially since I'm not space limited. My only other thought is the aesthetic appeal and the sound level. I don't think a bigger stove would make any difference in the heating of the upstairs since there's simply no convenient way to move enough air from downstairs to upstairs
Chrisnow86
Minister of Fire
If your looking at stoves at lowes go with the summers heat for 2200 sq ft.. You might gain a little heat up stairs it's worth the extra $ it's the englander 25 pdv
Thanks for the input. Is it recommended to remove the insulation I have in the basement ceiling currently before I put up the finished ceiling? I was hoping the heat would transfer to the floor. I have a woodstove upstairs now so I am not looking for the pellet stove to be the main heat source.
Chrisnow86
Minister of Fire
Well a wood stove is more a radiant heat and a pellet is just like a space heater.. if you want a stove to heat the whole house you wanna go big so you get the basement hot so it transfers.. How many sq ft it your house? You always wanna go bigger on the stove... I rather have a stove you run on low than have a stove that can't keep up and ya if the floor is insulated you will trap all the heat down in the basement
You should check the local building code requirements. In my case the space is considered unfinished and requires insulation below the living space.
I would recommend going 'bigger' as well - If it's in your budget then go for it because I feel the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I heat my entire house (with the exception of a small addition) via the basement pellet stove. The stove I chose was considered by many to be 'overkill' for my needs. It's been 4 seasons since and I am so glad that I went with what I have. I also removed most of the basement / ceiling insulation. This may help a little, but not as much as you think. I believe it may have to do with the difference with 'radiant' heat (woodstove) and how a pellet stove heats?
AccentraRRT
Burning Hunk
I have a Harman Accentra FS in my half finished basement, approx 500sqft finished about another 300 or so not finished. The main part of the house is 2 floors, open concept about 1580sqft.
I am able to run my Accentra from the basement on a heat level of 3 1/2 and keep the basement 75-80 (to hot for me but the wife loves it). Currently it is 33 degrees out, on those settings my baement is currently 77, main level 67 and upper level is 68 with no supplemental heat. I did not remove the insulation in the floor boards before finishing the ceiling. The heat transfers nicely up the stairwell however I have thought about putting in a floor to ceiling transfer vent to help with the cold to hot air cycle.
I am able to run my Accentra from the basement on a heat level of 3 1/2 and keep the basement 75-80 (to hot for me but the wife loves it). Currently it is 33 degrees out, on those settings my baement is currently 77, main level 67 and upper level is 68 with no supplemental heat. I did not remove the insulation in the floor boards before finishing the ceiling. The heat transfers nicely up the stairwell however I have thought about putting in a floor to ceiling transfer vent to help with the cold to hot air cycle.
In general, the size of your space is small, and any size stove should heat it easily; however, given that it's the basement, you also have to figure whether it's insulated or not. If it's not insulated, then you are going to be heating the concrete walls and floor, too. Still, 600sqft is small and any size stove should work. However, if you want to gain some heat for upstairs, then you've got more to think about, like how does the heat get upstairs, are you just going to heat the ceiling or are you going to try to get some heat go up the stairs.
Personally, given what little we know, I think just about any size stove will work, and that if it were my choice, I would consider the other factors like hopper size and cleaning regimen when making the choice.
I plan to frame the walls and insulate them before Sheetrock. I currently have a wood stove on the first floor that I use. I am basically trying to figure out if I should go larger and maybe gain some heat upstairs. Any heat helps. There is a stairway in the center of the house that hot air can go up. I just want to make full use of any heat. Thanks for the help
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