Overdue update. The stove did great last year. I ended up burning about 3.5 cords total. A mix H/W and mostly Oak. Was a mix of >20% and <20% moisture.. It was a cold winter. It heated the house well and once I got dialed in off-set oil use considerably.
I estimate total use for 2015 (heat and h/w) will be 350g compared to the last full year oil use of 780g. 430g savings! Makes about a 2.6 year payback (with my free wood). Keeping the house at 75 vs 67 = priceless
Checked flue monthly and never had any build-up whatsoever. Like, none.. insulated flue was good advice. Did run stove a little hot and had 2-3 800+ degree events.. Burn times were very respectable and I think will improve with an earlier cutback schedule. 3 loads/day worked well. Wife was impressive, although not much of a fire "starter".
Things to try this year - Cutting air back earlier this year and see how that goes. Starting to reduce air at 450-500 often lead to 650 (or more) on top end when it settled. Given the lack of build-up feel comfortable starting at 350. At some point, maybe even some experimentation with the intake orifice sizing? This thing drafts very well even with just barely a 15' flue.
Started last year with 3-4 years wood CSS so this years will be dryer than lasts. Here before you know it.
Thanks again all for advice
I estimate total use for 2015 (heat and h/w) will be 350g compared to the last full year oil use of 780g. 430g savings! Makes about a 2.6 year payback (with my free wood). Keeping the house at 75 vs 67 = priceless
Checked flue monthly and never had any build-up whatsoever. Like, none.. insulated flue was good advice. Did run stove a little hot and had 2-3 800+ degree events.. Burn times were very respectable and I think will improve with an earlier cutback schedule. 3 loads/day worked well. Wife was impressive, although not much of a fire "starter".
Things to try this year - Cutting air back earlier this year and see how that goes. Starting to reduce air at 450-500 often lead to 650 (or more) on top end when it settled. Given the lack of build-up feel comfortable starting at 350. At some point, maybe even some experimentation with the intake orifice sizing? This thing drafts very well even with just barely a 15' flue.
Started last year with 3-4 years wood CSS so this years will be dryer than lasts. Here before you know it.
Thanks again all for advice
