New Install New House Circulating Heat To the Crawlspace

[michiganwinters]

Hi everyone!

Sold our last home with our trust PE Summit.

We tried using a hearthstone mansfield in our barn just over the winter with a temp non epa chimney setup and really didnt have good luck with the stove. To hard to control, sucking air from somewhere ...probably ash pan gastket, ect. Just not a good fit for us and our styling has changed in the new house. So we are considering the Jotul F55 and the old trusty Summit.

Heres the setup:

2x6 constructed 1 1/2 story chalet home on a foam insulated conditioned crawlspace (non vented).
The foot print is 26x46. The stove will be installed in the living room exterior wall with 16ft ceilings approx 525sqft. There is an open stairwell leading up to a loft with the master suite.

So I would love to figure out how to circulate the warm air through the crawlspace to keep the floors warmer. I dont know if I could install cold air intake pulling air from crawl to create circulation.

We are trying to get the stove as close to the wall as possible which will include a heat shield, double wall pipe and 1" air space.

Which do you think has the longer burn times? Would you say one has more maintenance than the other? We will be burning wood seasoned 3 yrs (we stay ahead). So any insight to help make a decision would be great!

Also interior chimney 16' with 9' of class A. Thinking I will also install damper inline for more control.

 

[rideau]

There are quite a few good stoves that with double wall pipe and included rear heat shield can be installed so close to the wall that there is no need for a wall shield with air space.

I have a Woodstock Progress Hybrid, which is likely too big for your space; top vented, it sits 6 or seven inches from the wall.

What is the total height of your flue above the stove to cap? Not sure from your post....if 25 feet or more, then a damper might be a good idea if you are in a windy cold location. I m going to add one to my set up. I cannot cut my draft down enough. I'm over 25 feet, exposed to the North, cold climate.

 

[michiganwinters]

The total flue height from the top of the stove would be around 24ft. I want to stay with a simple, no ash pan, ect. I will have to take a look and see which have such tight clearances.
Any thoughts about heat circulation?

 

[begreen]

As noted in the other thread, the Alderlea series is a much closer match to the F55, but with some added benefits. If you are looking at PE, I would go for an Alderlea T6. And yes I am biased as a satisfied owner.

You could set up a simple supply and return with a low volume fan on opposite ends of the crawlspace, but first I would try it without to see what natural temp it settles at. Our insulated crawlspace temp stays at 60-63F all winter with no added heat.

 

[michiganwinters]

Really your crawl stays that warm?!! Do u run and outside fresh air intake kit? I did on my last stove. Ended up with the cold air from my basement coming up the stairs!

Was considering a water loop just to help without electic hot water but will need to research more.

 

[begreen]

No OAK, our house still is not as tight as the crawlspace. But you have a basement, not a crawlspace? And if you are in Michigan you have sustained colder temps. Most of our winter temps are in the 30-40F range with some occasional dips in the 20's or teens.

 

[michiganwinters]

No we are on a conditioned 4ft spray foam insulated crawlspace. Winter temps 10s-30s. Guess we will need to try a few things and see what works!

 

[begreen]

Get a wireless remote thermometer and put it down there. You might be surprised how well the insulation works. If it needs heat to protect the pipes during the coldest weather, a space heater set at a low temp may suffice.

 

[mellow]

One thought that comes to mind is the zero clearance fireplaces that have the ability to have ducting hooked up to them.

http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500113
(broken link removed to http://www.napoleonfireplaces.com/products/nz3000-high-country/)

 

[rideau]

Is the crawl space above or below grade? Below, or mostly below, you may be surprised how warm it stays.

My uninsulated basement (insulated under slab only), six 1/2 feet below grade 1 1/2 feet above with 2 sets of Bilko Doors and 4 small windows, never comes near freezing in Zone 5.