I have a small two story house by the ocean in Northern California. It currently has an Empire propane wall heater that puts out 15,000 BTU's. It really is useless in the winter when the house is at a dead cold and it heats way too slowly. It's inefficient. So, I have thought about upgrading to an Empire wall heater that puts out 25,000 BTU's with a blower...but UGLY! It's a cute little house and the downstairs is really small. I thought a Jotul enamel Allagash 300 propane stove would look great. It comes with direct vent and I would do that horizonally where the Empire is now.
I have read a bit in this forum and know that high and heavy coastal winds could be a problem. Also, I am concerned, because I would leave it on with the pilot going some times, but more often shut the whole thing down and re-ignite it each time. The house is in earthquake country and I don't want to leave propane flowing. I assume the stove is safe enough that if the pilot blew out, then there would be an intern sensor that would shut off the propane to the pilot.
I do have a friend who, several years ago, had a stove blast in her face (glass everywhere and soot literally tattooed her in a few places) due to accumulated propane (not a Jotul). She's okay. I do have that fear about accumulated propane. But, I figure that Jotuls are a safe stove and fairly easy to turn on and off.
So, am I making a good choice, or should I stick with the Empire, which is safer and cheaper? And, if the Jotul is acceptable, would a stove that size give me enough heat for the two stories? Thanks!
I have read a bit in this forum and know that high and heavy coastal winds could be a problem. Also, I am concerned, because I would leave it on with the pilot going some times, but more often shut the whole thing down and re-ignite it each time. The house is in earthquake country and I don't want to leave propane flowing. I assume the stove is safe enough that if the pilot blew out, then there would be an intern sensor that would shut off the propane to the pilot.
I do have a friend who, several years ago, had a stove blast in her face (glass everywhere and soot literally tattooed her in a few places) due to accumulated propane (not a Jotul). She's okay. I do have that fear about accumulated propane. But, I figure that Jotuls are a safe stove and fairly easy to turn on and off.
So, am I making a good choice, or should I stick with the Empire, which is safer and cheaper? And, if the Jotul is acceptable, would a stove that size give me enough heat for the two stories? Thanks!
For that matter, maybe just open the glass door.....if there is an opening door
fingers & hands from touching the glass.
. There is also a brown enamel Jotul GF 400 Sebago on sale for $2195.00, but I have no idea what the installation will be as it would be a whole differnt thing. The Allagash would be vented horizonally to the wall and the vent work would be outside (probably nice for such a small room and low wall and the ivory color is helping to make the small room less small) and the Sebago has the stove pipe in the house. The downstairs is approx. 550 sq. ft.
