Regency HI2450 and HI500 Feedback Wanted

[ginocasanova]

Hello,

We are considering purchasing either the Regency HI2450 or HI500. We
have a 2300 sq.ft. new house, and will not be using the stove on a daily basis to
supplement our heat, but instead it will be used on an occasional basis. We don't
have any experience with a catalytic stove (ie HI500).

For those that own these stove can you please provide your feedback as to likes/dislikes,
and if you had it to do over again, would you purchase the same stove.

Many thanks for your feedback.

 

[kborndale]

Dry wood is absolutely necessary. If you don't have your wood already then don't expect to be able to get dry wood for the upcoming winter. The dealers that say they have do not.

 

[ncstar126]

If you are burning just every once in a while I'd go with whichever you prefer design and cost wise. The HI2450 looks like it sticks out on the hearth more so if this is for power outages then it could be a better bet if you don't have a backup to run the blower.

HI500 is hybrid meaning it is capable of running both with and without the cat.

The cat is great for doing long, low, efficient burns. So if you want to load the stove up in the evening or before work and have it produce low and slow heat for as long as possible this is a good feature.

If you enjoy opening up the firebox to toss in a log every now and then, and seeing constant flames, the cat is not for you. I tinker with my cat stove twice a day. Three times max in the coldest of Winter.

Learning to use the cat is not that complicated but it is an additional process. Traditional stoves are harder to screw up.

kborn is correct.. use dry wood in either case. You can read up on and try compressed firewood from some of the big box stores and/or buy kiln dried if you don't have a stockpile already. Both are expensive IME but dry (some could say too dry..). You can also pickup a moisture meter and test any firewood you encounter.