Heating Alternative

[o3jeff]

I know winter just ended, but I am trying to beat the fall rush on figuring out an alternative for heating the house.

I am currently heating with oil and since the price of it does not look like it will be dropping anytime soon I am looking at possible alternatives.

I have a 1,000 sqft ranch built in 1954. I added insulation in the attic last year and will be replacing the windows in the next few weeks so the house will be fairly tight. I and am leaning towards a free standing pellet stove and will probably put it on the main floor centrally located. Since I do not have a fireplace, I will be venting it straight through the wall.

Anyone currently using pellet stoves that can give the pros and cons on using them and the different brands. From reading online it looks like the Harmans would be one of the better ones to look at.

 

[Mapnut]

Did you find this site? http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/

They helped me with a problem I had with a gas stove.

 

[tcharron]

Sacrificing old strait skis to Ullr has the benifit of producing heat *AND* getting more snow..

:lol::lol:

 

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

 

[Hawkshot99]

I have a Pellet stove. Have had it for like 10-11 years and we love it. We dont use it as a main heat source, just a extra bit for the family areas. Real easy to start. Usully we clean it every week just to stay ahead of it. All that requires is cleaning out the fire box with a shop vac(which we keep hidden outside then bring the hose in the window)

The only problem is getting pellets. They need to be very dry, and low ash. Wet just burns like crap, and regular ash we had to clean it way to often.

Also sometimes it is hard to get pellets. This winter was easy, but last was hell. We struggled to get any. Had to keep calling all the local suppliers and find out when they were getting shipments then be there when the truck got there or right after or we would miss out. There was just too much demand.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I'm not a fan of pellet stoves. Very noisy although it's been a few years so assume they have improved that problem. Get ready to do alot of heavy lifting and carrying mucho bags of pellets. They also take alot of storage space.

I removed the original electric baseboards and put in a couple of Rinnai propane heaters. Very efficient, work great. Replacing your water heater with a propane tankless water heater saves money as well. The one we use is made in Vermont.

 

[ckofer]

<snip>
I have a 1,000 sqft ranch built in 1954. I added insulation in the attic last year and will be replacing the windows in the next few weeks so the house will be fairly tight. <snip>

Have you opened an exterior wall to see how well insulated it is? I am not convinced that pellet heating is the key. HIgh-efficiency propane heaters are probably a better choice.

 

[hardline]

in any new construction you should use spray foam insulation. we use it on most of our projects because there are no open air ways to the outside there is very little heat loss. you get five people in a room and that will heat it. the stuff they use today has very high r value. i can did up the info that have if anyone is interested.

 

[o3jeff]

Have you opened an exterior wall to see how well insulated it is? I am not convinced that pellet heating is the key. HIgh-efficiency propane heaters are probably a better choice.

I did cut open a wall in the back bedroom to see what was in there, was some insulation, but probably not the best R value compared to todays standards.

I will also do some research on the propane heaters to see what they are about.

 

[ckofer]

I did cut open a wall in the back bedroom to see what was in there, was some insulation, but probably not the best R value compared to todays standards.

I will also do some research on the propane heaters to see what they are about.

It is important to get the insulation and windows in order.

I found this site which, if it's accurate, speaks well for the cost of heating with wood pellets-at today's prices. There will be a certain amount of energy expended on your part to keep it alive.

http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residential/compareFuel.cfm

This would seem to be a good unit in the Rinnai line. It may be big enough for your whole house-depending on the insulation etc.


[FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Model RHFE-1004FA[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Rinnai RHFE-1004FA[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Input Rating BTU/hr[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Output Rating BTU/hr[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Natural Gas[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] High 38,400
Low 10,500[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] High 31,800
Low 8,715[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] Propane (LP)[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] High 36,500
Low 10,500[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,verdana] High 30,600
Low 8,715[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Install Manuals[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica] Electrical Rating:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] 120 Volts 60 Cycles 121 Watts - 2.0 Amps[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Circulation Fan Capacity:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] High 360.6 CFM: Low 203.4 CFM[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Weight:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] 110 lbs[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Dimensions:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] H 26 3/8" x W 36 5/8" x D 13" [/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Clearances:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Side 2" (51mm) Top 10" (250mm) Floor 0" (0mm) [/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] AFUE:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] 83%[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Misc:[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica] Gas Connection - 1/2" NPT[/FONT]

 

[tcharron]

I did cut open a wall in the back bedroom to see what was in there, was some insulation, but probably not the best R value compared to todays standards.

I will also do some research on the propane heaters to see what they are about.

Time to blow some insulation. :-D