Wood stove vs Boiler

[kps2389]

Hi Guys, I'm new the forum and have reading a lot of threads and getting great information. Any way I bought a house last year and want to put some kind of additional heating source. I want to put in the basement because it is already set up because the previous owner had a Wood stove there. The house is a colonial just under 2,000 SF not including the basement. At first I was thinking a boiler tied into my existing oil boiler but I don't really have room for water storage tanks and the startup cost is outta my budget. After reading the forums here it seems it tough to heat a entire house with a stove in the basement. The basement currently has a drop ceiling and the stairs are about 20 ft from the where the stove would be. I also don't want the basement to be 90 degrees when heating the upstairs because I use the basement a lot. So any opinions, comments, thoughts would be great! Thanks

 

[Chimney Smoke]

Why do you want a supplemental heater? If it's to minimize oil consumption an add on wood boiler would help. If you're looking for backup heat for power outages, remember that your wood boiler will still require electricity to heat the house. If you want to heat the finished basement then a woodstove would be a good option but it probably won't add much to the house.

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

sounds like the perfect set up for a wood furnace.

 

[Mike M.]

I had the exact issue at my last house. Ended up with a stove in the basement (insert) and another one on the main floor. Depending on weather conditions I would use one or both. Nothing helps dry out a damp basement in fall better than a couple hot fires down there! Some really good deals on stoves this time of year.

 

[Mike M.]

Also forgot to mention I filled the oil boiler with antifreeze. The thing never ran.