Since we all have the same wood furnace, I would like to share my experience with you, , although this is the way I operating the stove I am open to any suggestions that would improve my operations of the stove.
I heat a 1500 sq ft ranch + 1500 sq ft basement ( 1500 sq ft )
avg. temp is 68-74 deg. F in the house & 80-95 in the basement near the stove.
So far this heating season I have used 2 & 1/2 cords of mix hardwood.
This will be my second winter heating season with the stove. Last year I used about 9 cords of wood.
The stove is not tied in to the furnace duck work.
Over night burn time is about 4 ½ to 5 ½ hours
Out of concerns for safety I don’t load the wood in the firebox any higher than the fire bricks, But then maybe that’s the wrong way to do it.
Normal I close 1 out of the 3 intake draft controls ( yes the older stoves has 3 draft controls ) and set the exhaust draft at 45 deg.
I have the blower thermostat set and it runs 80% of the time
I have a wireless thermometer that has 3 sending units that tells me the temp in the kitchen / bedroom / outside / and one near the stove,
So when the temp drops below 88 deg in the basement I know its time to ad some wood to the stove, It saves me time, I don’t have to check the stove all the time.
My stove does not have a glass door, so I have to open the door to check the fire.
I have no problems with the draft. I have a thru-wall chimney system. Yes its easy to control the heat, just add more wood, and it does use a lot of wood.
I am open to any suggestions that could help me in prove things.
Some of the questions that I have are,
When I load the stove at night should I stack the wood higher than the fire bricks?
Should I tie the hot air from the blower in to my duck work?
Do you think it would be safe to bring some wood into the basement to store, maybe a cord or two, being so hot I thought I could bring in some green wood and let it dry from the heat.
One other thing I have not had my LP furnaces on yet!!!!!!!!