Looking to replace a BuckStove Model 74ZC .. And I Need Some Suggestions.

[bluephi1914]

I built my house about 3 years ago and installed a Buck Stove 74 ZC . I love it but after a few winters it seems as if it struggles to heat my home to my liking. It normaly keeps temps in the house around 74 down stars and 77 upstairs. To get those temps I really have to work... Fire is usually burning pretty fast. We have also decided to stop using our heat pump and rely soley on our wood burning stove for heat.... we have saved about 100 - 130 a month during the winter using the stove only.

In all fairness to the Buck 74, my house is 2 story @ about 3900sq ft. ... so I understand its not rated for a home my size. my stove is centrally located in my family room and my family room is open to the second floor.


I was considering a Fireplace Xtrordinair FPX 44 Elite Fireplace... as it has a much larger firebox and is rated for a much larger house. I am not trying to compare the Buck74 to the Extrodanair as I know that is apples to oranges. I am just looking to upgrade to something that would get the job done for me.


My dad has the FPX 44 Elite Fireplace and his home size and layout are very close. With a slow burning fire, my dads FPX 44 Elite keeps his first floor 79 and his upstairs about 83.... and he isnt even using the Posi pressure system. If he gets speeds up the fire temperature on first and second go above 80.


Does anyone have any alternatives to the FPX 44 Elite Fireplace??? I was also looking at the quadrafire 7100p or even the FPX 36 Elite. I have been told I could get the FPX 44 Elite Fireplace for about $4600 and the quadrafire for about $700 less.... pipes would be extra. and if im not mistaken i think those prices included doors and a face.


I just want to make sure that once I spend this kinda money that the upgrade will make a significant difference.

 

[KYrob]

If you don't need the zero clearance model, you may want to check out the Buck 94 non cat or the Buck 91 cat. Both have a 4.4 cu.ft. box and are rated for 3000 & 3200 sq.ft.

 

[bluephi1914]

i have to have to zero clerance.... anything else requires masonary chimney i think.

 

[begreen]

An approved metal chimney system is also approved for connecting a freestanding stove. It's the way many of our systems are installed, including mine.

Have to ask where the actual ROI comes from scrapping a 3 year old stove to put in another one? The bigger stove is going to consume a lot more wood, especially to raise the temp a lot. Is the wood completely free? Considering the Buck is heating the equivalent of 2 homes, how about just being comfortable at 72 °F? That would seem to provide the best savings if this is the goal.

 

[bluephi1914]

An approved metal chimney system is also approved for connecting a freestanding stove. It's the way many of our systems are installed, including mine.

Have to ask where the actual ROI comes from scrapping a 3 year old stove to put in another one? The bigger stove is going to consume a lot more wood, especially to raise the temp a lot. Is the wood completely free? Considering the Buck is heating the equivalent of 2 homes, how about just being comfortable at 72 °F? That would seem to provide the best savings if this is the goal.

Since you mentioned it, the wood is completely free... my dad has several acres of nothing but trees........ so other than the expense of fuel for my Sthil 440... the wood is completely free.

I dont like the whole idea swapping out the stoves myself... but I am answering to a higher power (my wife). I have a buyer so this will cushion the cost a bit. Ive tried to be comfortable with the heat how it is... but with young children and a wife... using my heat pump consumes about $300-$350 a month from Oct/Nov. - Feb. only burning the fireplace cost me about $200. at this rate it will take a few years to pay for it self... but to be free of this issue altogether is more than worth it.... and last i checked, 72 degrees is what i set my thermastat on in summer.

and as far as heating the equivalent of two homes... this was my initial point... I didnt expect the buck to do that.... but I know there are some stoves that will.


Now back to my original questions. Do you have any suggestions on stoves rather than economics 101.

 

[bluephi1914]

After 1 year and a few months, I finally got my 44 elite... Luckily my framing crew framed my chase and enclosure large enough for something bigger than my buck stove.... So after removing a few boards and removing minimal sheetrock, my stove is installed... I will post pictures and heating results later.

 

[begreen]

How's the heat? Is this working out better?

 

[bluephi1914]

How's the heat? Is this working out better?

10-12 degree difference in temperature... first burn. 85 degrees first floor 88 degrees second floor.

Wife/Kids are happy, I actually heard her say it was too hot.

The buck was nice (for me) but the wife is very cold natured and has always said it was to cold. The complaints have stopped!


I have to say you wee right about the 44 elite consuming more wood, with the firebox being twice the size .... I'm glad I'm not having to buy fire wood.

 

[begreen]

Sounds good. It'll take some practice to tame the beast. Try burning smaller hot fires when the weather is milder.

 

[bluephi1914]

Old Fireplace
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New Fireplace
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