Need help deciding on making the move

[rbenson87]

Location: Rhode Island
Current System: Ducted Inverter Heat Pump for 1st floor and wall mount split system heat pumps in half basement.

Last year my electric bill was $450/month during the peak of winter, normal electricity is about $100/month. This brings my total heating bill to $350 @ $0.22 / kwh. Which is about 1,600 kwh of heating.

My electricity is going up to $0.33 / kwh this winter which would take that same $350 heating bill and bring that to $530

Thinking of not heating the basement (walls are R20 and new windows and everything is well sealed up) and adding a wood pellet stove in my office.

My upstairs is approximately 1100 sq. ft. and has 3 rooms. I have ductwork in the attic where my heat pump is ducted in. Is there a way to utilize this ductwork to distribute the wood pellet heated air better? Or will it distribute fairly well on its own if I leave all the doors open?

 

[bogieb]

Well, that is the million $$ question. It all depends on your layout and the dynamics of your house. I have a main floor of 950 sq/ft and a basement of 600 sq/ft. The P61a should heat then entirety with ease. However, I never could get the air to circulate well even with the basement at nearly 90* (I tried every possible method and variation), so ended up putting in a smaller stove on the main floor.

But, some people get fantastic heat exchange. I'd say the more of an open layout, and if your stairway is in a central location (neither of which is true in my case), that would help tremendously.

I'm sure someone will come along and help you with the ducting part of your question.

 

[johneh]

You can buy a stove that has a duct kit name escapes me at this moment
The big thing to remember is that a pellet stove is a space heater, not a central furnace.
Some people have good results moving the heat others not so good just
depends on your home dynamics.