Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum and have been reading through a number of threads here trying to get some advice on my current situation; hoping for a little help. I just purchased a new Jotul F3 cb to heat the lower level of my house (a little larger than 1,200 sq ft) and also some supplemental heat for the upstairs level (larger than 1,600 sqft). Currently there is a pellet stove in the middle of the upper level (Front outer wall of the house), but we tend to have to run it hard to keep up the weather we see here in NH and the goal of having the wood stove in the lower level is to avoid having to do that all winter. The F3 cb was sold to me by the dealer with the reassurance that "it would do the job fine, and might even be too big for the space" (of course I believed them, I mean, they are a stove shop shouldn't they know?... and yes they did inspect the space prior to the sale).
However, after installing the stove and doing research on the F3 cb it definitely seems to be too small for what I am looking for, and doesn't have anywhere near as long a burn time as I want (I would like to be able to burn through most of the night).
Here's what the lower level of my home looks like- just over 1,200 sqft 80% finished space with new windows, insulation, drywall etc. However, the flooring in the lower level is all stone tile and the unfinished space (20% of the lower level) is foundation cement wall and cement floor, there is also a large staircase in the same room as the stove. I am assuming that the stove is struggling to heat because of the cold floor and walls in the basement, and the loss of heat up the stairs. I am struggling to get the thermometer in the basement where the stove is located to exceed 67 degree F running the stove at a consistent 500+ degrees F, even in weather in the 30's (not very cold for Jan-Mar in NH).
During some of my research I came across the Jotul F500, and I am trying to see if that would be an adequate stove or if it would be too large for what I need (or too small); keeping in mind my future plan was to install three floor vents from the basement up into 3 bedrooms located on the floors above to allow the heat in the lower level to add some supplemental heat to those rooms that are further from the pellet stove on the second floor.
Overall here are the goals with the wood stove:
-Heat lower level adequately
-Give supplemental heat (along with existing pellet stove) for upper level
-Long burn times to last through most of the night (larger fire box)
-A stove that is easy to control the temp so I don't burn myself out of the lower level while its firing
I am wondering if this stove would be too big, too small, or if I would be able to make it work to heat the way I was hoping the F3 would...Thanks, I appreciate any feedback.
I'm new to the forum and have been reading through a number of threads here trying to get some advice on my current situation; hoping for a little help. I just purchased a new Jotul F3 cb to heat the lower level of my house (a little larger than 1,200 sq ft) and also some supplemental heat for the upstairs level (larger than 1,600 sqft). Currently there is a pellet stove in the middle of the upper level (Front outer wall of the house), but we tend to have to run it hard to keep up the weather we see here in NH and the goal of having the wood stove in the lower level is to avoid having to do that all winter. The F3 cb was sold to me by the dealer with the reassurance that "it would do the job fine, and might even be too big for the space" (of course I believed them, I mean, they are a stove shop shouldn't they know?... and yes they did inspect the space prior to the sale).
However, after installing the stove and doing research on the F3 cb it definitely seems to be too small for what I am looking for, and doesn't have anywhere near as long a burn time as I want (I would like to be able to burn through most of the night).
Here's what the lower level of my home looks like- just over 1,200 sqft 80% finished space with new windows, insulation, drywall etc. However, the flooring in the lower level is all stone tile and the unfinished space (20% of the lower level) is foundation cement wall and cement floor, there is also a large staircase in the same room as the stove. I am assuming that the stove is struggling to heat because of the cold floor and walls in the basement, and the loss of heat up the stairs. I am struggling to get the thermometer in the basement where the stove is located to exceed 67 degree F running the stove at a consistent 500+ degrees F, even in weather in the 30's (not very cold for Jan-Mar in NH).
During some of my research I came across the Jotul F500, and I am trying to see if that would be an adequate stove or if it would be too large for what I need (or too small); keeping in mind my future plan was to install three floor vents from the basement up into 3 bedrooms located on the floors above to allow the heat in the lower level to add some supplemental heat to those rooms that are further from the pellet stove on the second floor.
Overall here are the goals with the wood stove:
-Heat lower level adequately
-Give supplemental heat (along with existing pellet stove) for upper level
-Long burn times to last through most of the night (larger fire box)
-A stove that is easy to control the temp so I don't burn myself out of the lower level while its firing
I am wondering if this stove would be too big, too small, or if I would be able to make it work to heat the way I was hoping the F3 would...Thanks, I appreciate any feedback.
![[Hearth.com] Jotul F500- Will it do the job?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/193/193474-d441464199e7c4f753edb03f2eee1552.jpg?hash=FNt4VPQY6n "[Hearth.com] Jotul F500- Will it do the job?")
Most non-cat stoves are going to be like your F3. Once it gets going, it's Burn Baby Burn, so you don't load more BTU's than you want in the next few hours. If you want better control of the burn with the stove, you want a catalytic stove. Go to Woodstock. Buy the ticket. Take the ride.
