Hey everyone who answered my " typical rookie" questions...thanks alot! finally after some newbie mistakes , and some trial and error, I got this thing down ! the Regency i1200 will do what they said it will, had my doughts for awhile, but it works I only have the gas heat on now first thing in the morning to get the chill off " programmable thermostat" that and I am not home long enough to fire up the stove. I do through a couple of small kindlin's in to burn down to a fine ash, but then I'm gone. NO more gas heat until the next morning for about 1 1/2 hrs. House thermostat is set to 62* during the day, so it may run a little when it gets cold, but have definitely cut my cost significantly!! Once again everyone, thanks again with all your help, this has been a great site, and a great learning experience! And for all you newbies out here, be patient, wood burning isn't just throwing some wood in a box and heating the house, it is a art, and every stove is a new canvass. and once you find the right strokes for you, the picture will be very clear You will then have a happier, warmer home. Speaking of happier, the little lady is happy too that I didn't just piss away $2800 and as we all know, if shes happy, everyone s happy !
looks like it was a cozy christmas! happy to see that your investment is showing returns, you described it well, wood heating isnt just tossing in a log, its learning how to harvest BTU's from the raw wood, it is an art form, glad to see its working out like you imagined when you looked at the stove in the shop