I installed a replacement fasco blower two nights ago. It's a single speed unit where the stock rpm equals the "High" setting on the original blower. I can now sit 3-4' back and actually feel *some* warm (not hot) air. The air coming out the top slot is warm, but it's not uncomfortable if you sit a foot away and let it hit your face... How hot should this air be? I can't feel anything 10' away sitting on the couch directly in the line of sight with the insert.
I'm using the large canawick blocks, ~6 lbs a piece. I'm bypassing the snapstat but wait for at least 30 minutes until there is a raging fire and the top of the insert is too hot to touch before switching the fan on. I slide the damper to about half open once things really get cooking. Will wire up the snapstat tonight.
I ran through 4 canawick blocks and some Hot Blocks last night. My thermostat doesn't seem to budge from 65 degrees (to the left of the of the doorway to the 10x10 room in the pic). It's a total of at most ~1200 sq ft on the first floor.
Now reading threads about block plates, installing roxul insulation around the insert , etc got me thinking they may have skimped on that when installing the insert. However, I'm not sure if the layout of the house and proximity of the insert (red in the diagram) to entryways leading upstairs is causing all the heat to get sucked right upstairs. I may try and tape up some of the rosin paper i have on hand over the two open entryways that lead to the front stairway to see what kind of difference that makes with the blower on and off.
This is a late 1800s house. There is at least some fiberglass insulation in the walls. Most exterior walls are now drywall. Newer low e double pane replacement windows throughout entire house. No window coverings yet on any 1st floor windows. Very large picture window 4'x8' about 10' from insert. All obvious drafts/door drafts were completely sealed a week or two ago.
So in summary... possibilities:
1) I don't know how to build a good fire yet
2) Heat going right upstairs
3) Insert not properly insulated and heat absorbed by chimney bricks
4) ??
...As just a point of comparison in the attached apartment next door (much newer construction) a newly installed old Harman p35 pellet insert is warming a 700 ft first floor to 77 degrees in no time without any issue what so ever. It's uncomfortably warm, and it's not burning through many pellets at all...
attached 1st floor layout
I'm using the large canawick blocks, ~6 lbs a piece. I'm bypassing the snapstat but wait for at least 30 minutes until there is a raging fire and the top of the insert is too hot to touch before switching the fan on. I slide the damper to about half open once things really get cooking. Will wire up the snapstat tonight.
I ran through 4 canawick blocks and some Hot Blocks last night. My thermostat doesn't seem to budge from 65 degrees (to the left of the of the doorway to the 10x10 room in the pic). It's a total of at most ~1200 sq ft on the first floor.
Now reading threads about block plates, installing roxul insulation around the insert , etc got me thinking they may have skimped on that when installing the insert. However, I'm not sure if the layout of the house and proximity of the insert (red in the diagram) to entryways leading upstairs is causing all the heat to get sucked right upstairs. I may try and tape up some of the rosin paper i have on hand over the two open entryways that lead to the front stairway to see what kind of difference that makes with the blower on and off.
This is a late 1800s house. There is at least some fiberglass insulation in the walls. Most exterior walls are now drywall. Newer low e double pane replacement windows throughout entire house. No window coverings yet on any 1st floor windows. Very large picture window 4'x8' about 10' from insert. All obvious drafts/door drafts were completely sealed a week or two ago.
So in summary... possibilities:
1) I don't know how to build a good fire yet
2) Heat going right upstairs
3) Insert not properly insulated and heat absorbed by chimney bricks
4) ??
...As just a point of comparison in the attached apartment next door (much newer construction) a newly installed old Harman p35 pellet insert is warming a 700 ft first floor to 77 degrees in no time without any issue what so ever. It's uncomfortably warm, and it's not burning through many pellets at all...
attached 1st floor layout
