Should I even bother engaging the cat?

[Garbanzo62]

I had the Regency I2500 installed in November. When I engage the cat the probe temp climbs for a bit, but then starts to Drop. As far as I can tell the only thing the cat on this particular model does to increase efficiency and not necessarily provide additional heat. If I let the probe temp get up close to 800 before engaging the cat, it is hard to push it in (entire cat assembly slides in). At this point I am wondering if I am getting any advantage out of using the cat or should I just run without it.

 

[bholler]

I had the Regency I2500 installed in November. When I engage the cat the probe temp climbs for a bit, but then starts to Drop. As far as I can tell the only thing the cat on this particular model does to increase efficiency and not necessarily provide additional heat. If I let the probe temp get up close to 800 before engaging the cat, it is hard to push it in (entire cat assembly slides in). At this point I am wondering if I am getting any advantage out of using the cat or should I just run without it.

Without engaging the cat you are dumping tons of heat straight up the chimney.

 

[GrumpyDad]

Without engaging the cat you are dumping tons of heat straight up the chimney.

Wouldn't that result in lower burn times per load as well?

 

[bholler]

Wouldn't that result in lower burn times per load as well?

Yes

 

[Garbanzo62]

OK, I figured the 2500 is basically a 2450 with cat added so I assumed it would be ok. If it will retain more heat in the stove, I'll keep engaging it.