I've gone through about five cord so far here in late January. Am I likely to get better at working the stoves in year two and beyond, and use less wood?
Sounds like a lot to me, esp burning cat stoves. I use to burn 6-7 with a smoke dragon, now with the nc30 I'm around 5.
I'd say that's a little on the high side, but I think one tends to burn more when it's new, because you like to play with the stove. You are burning 2 stoves so that's 2.5 cords a piece, so not absolutly awful.
Two pretty big stoves, despite being known as frugal burners.......not too bad. Big house? Drafty, poor insulation? Crappy windows/doors? I've used about 2.5-3 cords so far, since the middle of September in the 30. I've pretty consistently used 5 cords in the last 8 winters (I'm throwing out last years aberration of a winter). The first 3 years was all Oak, but wet. The next 5 years got progressively gooder as the wood got dryer. I also started using a lot more Pine and Maple, so I figure I've actually dropped usage based on BTUs.
There is no way I could put 5 cords through the PH in this time. However, if I were filling both a PH and an IS all the time, I guess so. I'm surprised you have had to have both full most of the time, which is what I think it would take to use that much wood. Do you by any chance have a very tall chimney and very strong draft? If so, get pipe dampers. They will decrease heat loss up the chimney, increase efficiency of the stove, decrease wood usage. Also, if your wood is not dry, you will burn a lot more - almost double if the wood is in the high 30's in moisture content - to get the same amount of heat, so yes, with properly seasoned wood you will use a lot less and be more comfortable. Let us know what the factors are that you are dealing with. (wood type and moisture content, chimney location and height, size of home, insulation, exposure and number of windows (normal, high, low), ease of moving heat about the home). Then maybe we can have some concrete suggestions. Also, details of how you are burning....you may have this info posted elsewhere, but it is a lot easier if you summarize it in a post like this....
I burned the same amount of wood the first and second winter with a new EPA stove, but it was much colder the second winter (13/14).
Yeah, lousy insulation and wood that's not ideally seasoned. Couple that with a 3,000 sq ft space and it's a formula for feeding the stoves frequently. I guess I was wondering if others tended to start off fast out of the gate in their enthusiasm to burn. I think that's part of what I did. Lately I've been cutting back and noticing the house is still comfortable. I've wanted to join in with the three year plan guys, but I don't think the wife would go for having 30 cords of wood on our property.
Increasing the burn rate increases air penatration through the house while also using more wood. Burn low and slow. It slows the cold air being sucked into your house and saves wood.
I can understand if your burning both stoves full time you will have higher cord usage numbers. I have found by switching out from the Jotul Oslo to the WS IS my numbers are down by about 1/4 cord for this time of year and last season was a cold one. This year November was colder than normal and January has had 2-3 cold snaps to date. I still feel good that I'm right on track to where I would be with the Jotul, even if that stove was running poorly for 1.5 yrs
My first year I burnt as much as I did last year and it was a lot colder last year. This is my 3rd winter here. Got some better wood, modded the stove and a little insulation. Still need new windows and house tightened up some. Burned less but it's been warmer too.
Burndatwood, as you continue to burn, you should be able to "tweak" your burning. No matter what, any stove will burn just as much wood as you put into it. Try putting in one less split or on warmer days, building a smaller fire. That is, if you haven't tried this approach already. It seems no matter what, you always have to learn the stove.
My wife only complains when it's cold in the house. 30 cord neatly stacked. Sexy. Three year plan. Contentment.
I find a thermometer on the wall helpful. When the wife says its cold, or I come in with a chill, if the thermometer says 72F I leave the stove alone.
I haven't burned wood since the late 80's so I'm relearning. The real change was from the old stove to the EPA approved model. I have saved wood for 3 years, mostly Ash and Red elm so the wood is very good. As of today I have burned 3 cords which is more than I anticipated. The learning curve with new insert had been OK, the air settings are very touchy. I am thinking that I have let a lot of heat go to waste. Better air control is helping to cut back on the wood while keeping the house warmer. As you can see in the avatar I have an exterior chimney, problem is the liner stays clean but the rain cap due to its design wants to plug the outside screen.....is this a normal occurrence or just a bad design?
Is there a reason you need the screen on the cap? If no, could you remove it? If yes, could you remove it just for winter?
No need for the cap now, later it will be needed to keep rain and birds out. Not easy to remove and replace as a basket truck is needed, its 34' above the ground.
Yes it has. After the second year I top covered it. It's very dry. After checking with a MM most is 14% with some at 16%
The guys who installed my liner (recommended by Woodstock) put up a cap but no screen. When I asked they said screens inevitably collect ash and prove problematic. I'm taking a chance with the wildlife but so far so good.
