Used woodstoves

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I'd love to get a woodstove to help supplement my furnace since my little house is old and not very well insulated. I have some questions. How many BTUs will heat about 1000 sq feet comfortably? Also, when looking at used woodstoves, what to look for? I'm thinking about a used Vermont Castings Resolute. This is an older one, but the newer ones in Lehmans weigh 400-some pounds. Will it need extra support under the floor?

Thanks!!

-- Kelly (beerfarm@midtel.net), October 14, 2000

Answers

Resolute should heat that space, plus. We never needed support for the various stoves we've had, but you do need an adequate fire shield underneath the stove and fire proof hearth in front of the door. If I remember, at least 18''.Also can't you tighten up the house and better spend you money there first? Insulation can be blown in. Caulk around all doors & windows, inside & out first.Also where ceiling and floor meet. We have a number of publications we've gotten over the years that describe both these subjects.Chek with your library. A local weatherization service for low income people is probably in your area as well. If you don't qualify, they would be able to supply you with information. It's been under various agencies depending on where we lived.Check with your health Dept to see if they know who to call.Tighten up first, then see where you stand,heatwise.This is the best route to take.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), October 15, 2000.

I have to agree here, the money would be better spent adding more insulation and weatherproofing around windows and doors. It's always better to cure the cause rather than the symptoms.

-- Brett (bretfromok@aol.com), October 15, 2000.

Hi Kelly,

If I could do it again, I think I'd stay away from the stoves with the catalitic converter. Sometimes it's just a pain to watch it to close the flue. I got a Dutchwest mostly for looks but it works well. Bonnie, in a previous question, said her "new" stove didn't have an ash pan. You should find one that does, it's so much easier.

Happy hunting.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), October 16, 2000.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ