OK.... I am by no means very knowledgable when it comes to this subject so bear with me.
I have a rather drafty log home, about 1200 sq ft on the main living level with a semi-finished basement of about 600 sq ft (the rest is garage). 1/2 of main living area (kitchen, LR, DR) has cathedral ceiling (roof-pitch not too steep), other 1/2 has a loft room over it... used mostly for storage. It can get pretty cold here in the winter, but I would put average winter nighttime temps at 0-15F and daytime as 15-25F. Can get a few nights up to 30-40 below.
About 3 years ago I bought a blaze-King Princess and installed it in my basement (inside wall) and was so frustrated with it I ended up abandoning it and using my only other source of heat... a Monitor fuel oil unit in the basement with a small freestanding electric unit upstairs. This allowed me to keep the main living area of my house at between 58-64 at a cost of about $300/month. Fun.
The main problem i had with the stove was back-drafting. Tried everything. I think the main issue was the installation. main pipe came up about two feet then a 90 deg angle through the wall (concrete block that supported rock fireplace above) and into the chimney. The horizontal run is about 4 feet and does not have ANY incline. There is a cleanout door at the bottom of the main chimney, and if I light a piece of newspaper there it drafts like nobody's business.
I also was never able to get 12 hour burn-time like I was told I could (pine). Don't know if this was exacerbated by the installation problem or what. I really need a 12 hour burn-time as I am gone from teh house most days for that length of time and don't have the time or inclination to start a new fire whenever I get home.
In retrospect, i should have installed a stove in my main living- area. I don't spend time in my basement and it doesn't make sense to heat an area you don't use and then try to move that air to an area you do...... pretty inefficient concept. I was initially against the idea of the stove upstairs because of the space it would take up. Now that I am over the "taking-up-space" idea and really just want a warm house, I think I have decided to install a stove upstairs (corner of LR so will go straight up to ceiling/roof). Here's where I am hoping someone might be able to help out:
1) I could move my Princess upstairs. Upside.... obviously the cheapest option. Downside..... I wish I had an idea that if it were moved upstairs and installed properly, could I get that 12-hour burn-time from it? From reviews I have read, it gets very high ratings. Also, have to admit the Princess is pretty ugly... o.k. for my basement but my LR is a nice space and I don't really like the idea of that cast-iron blob in the corner. I was considering setting up the Princess with an 8" pipe (in case I decided on the Equinox... see below) and see how it went. Thing is, if I do want a new stove, i want to get it before 12/31 for tax rebate.
2) I have looked at the Hearthstone Equinox..... huge box, very beautiful. Downside... $$$$$ and can't find reviews. Also, maybe more than I really need.
3) I have looked at the Lopi Leyden...... smaller box, nice-looking, less expensive than Hearthstone. Was told by dealer (this is someone I would trust) that it would heat my spcae and I could get the 12-hour burn-time from it. I don't think he's being misleading, but I'm just skeptical. Also, read some "so-so" reviews.
Any ideas or opinions? Any other options to look into for a nice-looking stove that would heat about 2000 sq ft and definitely give a 12-hour burn-time with pine?
Sorry this was so lengthy..... Help is much appreciated!
I have a rather drafty log home, about 1200 sq ft on the main living level with a semi-finished basement of about 600 sq ft (the rest is garage). 1/2 of main living area (kitchen, LR, DR) has cathedral ceiling (roof-pitch not too steep), other 1/2 has a loft room over it... used mostly for storage. It can get pretty cold here in the winter, but I would put average winter nighttime temps at 0-15F and daytime as 15-25F. Can get a few nights up to 30-40 below.
About 3 years ago I bought a blaze-King Princess and installed it in my basement (inside wall) and was so frustrated with it I ended up abandoning it and using my only other source of heat... a Monitor fuel oil unit in the basement with a small freestanding electric unit upstairs. This allowed me to keep the main living area of my house at between 58-64 at a cost of about $300/month. Fun.
The main problem i had with the stove was back-drafting. Tried everything. I think the main issue was the installation. main pipe came up about two feet then a 90 deg angle through the wall (concrete block that supported rock fireplace above) and into the chimney. The horizontal run is about 4 feet and does not have ANY incline. There is a cleanout door at the bottom of the main chimney, and if I light a piece of newspaper there it drafts like nobody's business.
I also was never able to get 12 hour burn-time like I was told I could (pine). Don't know if this was exacerbated by the installation problem or what. I really need a 12 hour burn-time as I am gone from teh house most days for that length of time and don't have the time or inclination to start a new fire whenever I get home.
In retrospect, i should have installed a stove in my main living- area. I don't spend time in my basement and it doesn't make sense to heat an area you don't use and then try to move that air to an area you do...... pretty inefficient concept. I was initially against the idea of the stove upstairs because of the space it would take up. Now that I am over the "taking-up-space" idea and really just want a warm house, I think I have decided to install a stove upstairs (corner of LR so will go straight up to ceiling/roof). Here's where I am hoping someone might be able to help out:
1) I could move my Princess upstairs. Upside.... obviously the cheapest option. Downside..... I wish I had an idea that if it were moved upstairs and installed properly, could I get that 12-hour burn-time from it? From reviews I have read, it gets very high ratings. Also, have to admit the Princess is pretty ugly... o.k. for my basement but my LR is a nice space and I don't really like the idea of that cast-iron blob in the corner. I was considering setting up the Princess with an 8" pipe (in case I decided on the Equinox... see below) and see how it went. Thing is, if I do want a new stove, i want to get it before 12/31 for tax rebate.
2) I have looked at the Hearthstone Equinox..... huge box, very beautiful. Downside... $$$$$ and can't find reviews. Also, maybe more than I really need.
3) I have looked at the Lopi Leyden...... smaller box, nice-looking, less expensive than Hearthstone. Was told by dealer (this is someone I would trust) that it would heat my spcae and I could get the 12-hour burn-time from it. I don't think he's being misleading, but I'm just skeptical. Also, read some "so-so" reviews.
Any ideas or opinions? Any other options to look into for a nice-looking stove that would heat about 2000 sq ft and definitely give a 12-hour burn-time with pine?
Sorry this was so lengthy..... Help is much appreciated!