I am sure this has already been discussed, but posting anyway. I have a stove in an unfinished basement that previously have batten insulation in the ceiling, some if which I have pulled down to help heat the floor of the living space above. I also have the framed walkout end insulated with batten and the rim joist has been spray foamed. I have exposed concrete walls that obvious allow all of heat loss as well as the concrete floor. I previously had a VC Defiant that put off so much heat that the heat loss wasn't much of an issue because it heated the basement and first floor pretty easily but inefficient and I would need to cold start everyday and house temps would drop in the morning until I got I back up and going again.
I am now burning with an Osburn 3300 and have considered moving on from this to an Woodstock IS but want to give this stove an honest shot first. Burning about 2.5 to 3 cords this winter the stove rarely has been left cold. I am able to keep the house from 68-70 most times heating from the basement, so the temp swings are less than with the Defiant, I could regularly get the house to 75 if I wanted to before, too warm for me though.
Now I am looking for ways to reduce heat loss in the space the stove I in and will never be a finished space. I am trying to to this with minimal cost but I have thought about a couple options. First, foam board, but I don't want to have to cover it that code requires. Second, my father also runs his stove out th3 basement but his walls and floor are painted. I imagine that this cuts down on the heat loss some through porous concrete. His basement is all warmer than mine for sure, I it noticeable. I am not sure if it is the paint or the stove. I have seen thermal paint that supposedly helps reflect heat back towards the room, not sure if anyone has used that or how effective it is. I honestly don't feel I need to go crazy because I have gotten through this winter hardly turning the heat on in the first floor. I think I could increase efficiency with minimal cost. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, considered a blower to add that would get air the the open stairwell quicker. What is the concensus on the effectiveness or a blower on a stove? I personally have not sued one.
I am now burning with an Osburn 3300 and have considered moving on from this to an Woodstock IS but want to give this stove an honest shot first. Burning about 2.5 to 3 cords this winter the stove rarely has been left cold. I am able to keep the house from 68-70 most times heating from the basement, so the temp swings are less than with the Defiant, I could regularly get the house to 75 if I wanted to before, too warm for me though.
Now I am looking for ways to reduce heat loss in the space the stove I in and will never be a finished space. I am trying to to this with minimal cost but I have thought about a couple options. First, foam board, but I don't want to have to cover it that code requires. Second, my father also runs his stove out th3 basement but his walls and floor are painted. I imagine that this cuts down on the heat loss some through porous concrete. His basement is all warmer than mine for sure, I it noticeable. I am not sure if it is the paint or the stove. I have seen thermal paint that supposedly helps reflect heat back towards the room, not sure if anyone has used that or how effective it is. I honestly don't feel I need to go crazy because I have gotten through this winter hardly turning the heat on in the first floor. I think I could increase efficiency with minimal cost. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, considered a blower to add that would get air the the open stairwell quicker. What is the concensus on the effectiveness or a blower on a stove? I personally have not sued one.
