Firewood

SS-
Mr. Wader makes a good point on the cost factor.
I think an insert would be the way to go in an existing home where there is already a fireplace.
If you are building anew home, I guess the only advantage of building a fireplace and adding an insert would be for either you or the next owner having the option of removing the insert sometime down the line and still having a fireplace??

Regarding the heat itself, I'm lucky in the fact that the fireplace and firebox itself in my house was huge so i was able to go with the Clydesdale which is big and throws lots and plenty of heat. I can't definitively say how much heat is thrown from a smaller insert vs a stove.

My house is approx 1800SF and for the past 5 years I've burned very little oil for winter heating and only touch the thermostat when we get into extreme cold when it stays below 15 degrees for a few days.

Again, not an expert at all but I would think an insert sized appropriately for the SF in the milder climate in VA would generate enuf heat for you....

my free standing stove heats the entire downstairs of my house to 70 - 75 average & sends a bit to the second floor when I've got a long burn going on (most of the day to really feel it upstairs)

house is between 1800 & 1900 SF

thermostat downstairs stays at 55 most of the time - will nudge to 60 in the morning to take the chill out until I can get the stove going

I see the advantage of a free standing vs. insert in my opinion would be that the ENTIRE stove (top/4 sides) become a heat source in addition to the blower rather then relying on just a blower to get the heat out of the insert & into the room - I can boil water on the top of my stove & cook (limited) if I wanted to.

I have electric baseboard in the upstairs bedrooms which I never use. I like sleeping in a cool even cold room & the only time I'm up there is to sleep for the most part. The spare bedroom I keep the door closed.

My heating during the winter runs about $75 a month on average & I can't really say it's all heat. I run the same amount during the summer running AC & my whole house is electric except my cooking stove/oven which I just recently converted to gas. Big difference from the $250 a month with LIPA.

Before I put the wood stove in I ran the heat pump for heat. During the first really cold month my bill went from
$75 to $300. Last time I did that. Stove was in by the following month.

I can only see going with an insert as you said - if there is an existing fireplace.

Wood stove is the best investment I've made.

Thanks for the input guys. I've always had a wood stove and agree they are the best heating option and bang for your buck. Even up here (LI) Larry I heat my cape with our wood stove unless it's below 20 and the wind is howling (sucking the heat out). My problem with the new home design its that its very open and not enough corner space to put a stove. I have a wall where I can put either a stove or a fireplace in the living room and I'd really like to have a TV in the room. So it's either fireplace w/tv or a wood stove and tv upstairs. All good problems that's for sure.

Does anyone here have a rear venting stove? If so, any draft issues? I'm thinking maybe I can have a stove with a rear flue exit and then I'll be able to have a tv above the stove (with proper clearances of course).

Does anyone here have a rear venting stove? If so, any draft issues? I'm thinking maybe I can have a stove with a rear flue exit and then I'll be able to have a tv above the stove (with proper clearances of course).

just be careful - stove can create a lot of heat which rises - may cook the TV(?)...........

I think John (Capt13) put a rear venting stove in his garage. Send him a PM & ask.......

just be careful - stove can create a lot of heat which rises - may cook the TV(?)...........

I think John (Capt13) put a rear venting stove in his garage. Send him a PM & ask.......

Thanks Larry. I was thinking of a fireproof mantle on the wall above the stove to deflect some heat. Just kicking this idea around and will run it by my local stove store.

Had a good day collecting. All locust.

Had a good day collecting. All locust.

some big pieces of wood there Lou

The tree guys split most in to quarters so made it easy. Will also make splitting it with a maul much easier. I've had epic battles splitting locust.

Locust crackles nicely.,

The tree guys split most in to quarters so made it easy. Will also make splitting it with a maul much easier. I've had epic battles splitting locust.

I can imagine - why not an ax?

I use a 10-12lb maul that crushes wood. It splits straight grain pieces almost by itself. I use an axe for the kindling.

Had a good day collecting. All locust.

Nice!!(y)
What's the dry time for locust?
Ready for next fall or need a full year??

BTW... crazy how green the grass is on 2/14:eek:
Is that LI or VA??

Got good draft tonight
21 outside and 71 in the house right now with the stove cranked down low....

Im seasoning some fire wood in my back yard

Im seasoning some fire wood in my back yard

Good job brudda!!
I appreciate that8-)

We gonna have to figure a way how to drag it to front without you having to buy trailer tires

Good job brudda!!
I appreciate that8-)

We gonna have to figure a way how to drag it to front without you having to buy trailer tires

When the time comes Ill get them(y)(y)

Nice!!(y)
What's the dry time for locust?
Ready for next fall or need a full year??

BTW... crazy how green the grass is on 2/14:eek:
Is that LI or VA??

I'm still up here in Farmingdale. Normally I like locust to season at least 12 mos. But I'll be burning this locust next winter on the back end. I'll split it a little thinner than normal hoping to fast track the drying a bit. This will be my last winter chasing wood the year after I'll be on the eastern shore and probably buy wood. Although hunting for wood has become a bit of an addiction.

My favorite tools. Did 2 hrs of splitting today.

So although I pretty much ran the stove nonstop since around Halloween, I didn't burn any where near the amount of wood as usual this year with the mild winter. I've gone through maybe 3-1/2 cords and had split 2 for next year by February. I have about 2 cords worth of logs to split and only have space for 1 more split. I still have 3+ split on hand.

I really want to split another cord but don't want to risk doing anything stupid in the process that would warrant an emergency room visit and catch the Kooties :eek::D:ROFLMAO: