Last year, we installed an XXV and a wood stove at opposite sides of our antique cape. It was not a very cold winter, but the house was very leaky and under-insulated. Running the pellet stove low in the day and higher (65-70) at night, we were going through 2-2.5 bags per day when it was under 35 degrees or so. Still, the house struggled to maintain 65 degrees downstairs (with both stoves going full blast we could occasionally hit 68) and let's just say we could see our breath in the morning upstairs, most of the time.
Folks here told us to insulate and seal air leaks...we could only afford to blow insulation into the attic, had to defer the rest till this year....
Few weeks ago we had spray foam added to our crawlspace and rim joists. No more cold feet. And...drumroll...I run the pellet stove 24/7 (60-65 when no one's home, 70-75 when we are), and we are using....ONE bag per 24 hours.
The house still is not getting up to heat as much as we'd like, particularly not upstairs, but we're having fiberglass blown into the old walls in a few weeks and hope to see our indoor comfort temps increase.
I am simply amazed at the difference in pellet consumption. Wow. Thanks to all who advised us to do this, and wish we had done so sooner!
Folks here told us to insulate and seal air leaks...we could only afford to blow insulation into the attic, had to defer the rest till this year....
Few weeks ago we had spray foam added to our crawlspace and rim joists. No more cold feet. And...drumroll...I run the pellet stove 24/7 (60-65 when no one's home, 70-75 when we are), and we are using....ONE bag per 24 hours.
The house still is not getting up to heat as much as we'd like, particularly not upstairs, but we're having fiberglass blown into the old walls in a few weeks and hope to see our indoor comfort temps increase.
I am simply amazed at the difference in pellet consumption. Wow. Thanks to all who advised us to do this, and wish we had done so sooner!
The fiberglass guy was recommended by the rim joists foam guys for this work. I questioned him pretty hard about whether it would settle etc. and he said that the way they do it now (2 holes per bay instead of the old way of 1 hole per bay) lets the air escape and allows them to completely fill the cavity. Also swears my house won't be filled with pink fluff from overspray on the leaky joints (fingers crossed on that one). 
