My heat load is right on the edge of serviceable by a large stove. 3500 sq ft on a windy ridge in upstate NY with a lot of glass. We have heated with wood exclusively for 4 years now, much more comfortably since getting a bigger stove at the beginning of last season. I had always considered the stove a stop gap until I got the house done and put a boiler in. But now I'm reconsidering.
Seems the biggest disadvantages of wood appliances are the output curve of a burn cycle and being able to run in its efficient range in both mild and brutal conditions. The boiler with storage is an elegant solution to both problems. I am wondering if two large catalytic stoves side by side might be as well. I have no problem with 24 hour burn cycles until it gets cold and windy. Then, I move to 12 hour cycles and often push the stove most likely beyond its ideal efficiency range to keep the house comfortable. With the two stoves side by side, I could run one in mild temps as I do now. When it no longer can keep up over a 24 hour range in its ideal operating zone, add the second stove into the mix loading stoves opposite on 12 hour cycles. Then increase the output of both stove as necessary as conditions require.
Aesthetics and dhw aside, does this sound crazy?
Seems the biggest disadvantages of wood appliances are the output curve of a burn cycle and being able to run in its efficient range in both mild and brutal conditions. The boiler with storage is an elegant solution to both problems. I am wondering if two large catalytic stoves side by side might be as well. I have no problem with 24 hour burn cycles until it gets cold and windy. Then, I move to 12 hour cycles and often push the stove most likely beyond its ideal efficiency range to keep the house comfortable. With the two stoves side by side, I could run one in mild temps as I do now. When it no longer can keep up over a 24 hour range in its ideal operating zone, add the second stove into the mix loading stoves opposite on 12 hour cycles. Then increase the output of both stove as necessary as conditions require.
Aesthetics and dhw aside, does this sound crazy?