Stove For a New Build

Darn. How hard is it to make a steel box hat doesn’t have QC issues?!?

The search continues. Might have to break my own rule and get a catalytic. BK princess looks nice.

 

Englander is owned by Stove Builder International now...builder of some fine Canadian steel stoves...last I heard they were still operating the old Englander facilities here...but I dunno for sure.
SBI makes Drolet, Osburn, Century and probably 1 or 2 that I'm forgetting...I would say they were/are about equal to what Englander was doing, only bigger.
I've owned a number of SBI stoves/furnaces over the years and they offer a good value for your money, and have good customer service too...still have a Drolet 1400i in the fireplace, and a Heat Commander wood furnace over at my sister's house.

 

That's a mighty fine unit too...I've never owned a cat stove, but am tempted to buy a used one, if I ever found a steal on one, just to play with...

 

I believe he w a rep of some sort.....maybe from engineering dept? There was a "member" (dare I use that term?) on here at the time that was pretty unmerciful in their comments of an Englander stove that they had been gifted with. It was the member's first time burning and pretty much everything was gifted to them.

Anyway, after many negative comments about the stove, the rep finally spoke up. Turns out that the member hadn't even registered the stove (for warranty) upon receiving it!

I don't know what became of the stove issue as the rep began posting less until there was nothing at all.

The "entitled" member has since moved on to other victims as well, thank goodness!

The rep was a highly contributing member that was an asset to this forum.

That particular "member" was not. Always looking for something free.....but not advice.

 

They make quite a difference don't they?

 

Can feel the difference!

 

I did some work for a guy in town who bought a cat stove. His problem is that he likes to run with the bypass open all the time. I have tried to explain to him that it needs to be closed, but every time I visit the bypass is open and the cat is plugged. He likes the flames…

 

AM/FM Energy Andy...IIRC
I talked to him a few times, good dood.

 

We just got the first set of plans back yesterday. Needs a couple tweaks. Living room sure seemed small on paper so we are adding 2’ in width. Wish we could also add width to the garage but at least the garage is 32’ deep.

As far as stoves (that’s why we have the thread), no choices have been made. Tempted to get a Drolet Bistro and a Drolet Spark II. Use the Bistro on the main floor and the Spark in the basement for when we want a bit more heat. House will end up 1664SF. Bigger than we want but the room sizes work better for us.

 

You can go bigger than that for a basement booster stove...the basement is a huge heat sink, especially when starting from cold!

 

True. Basement will have to be insulated but there’s still a giant concrete floor to absorb heat. Maybe the mid size Englander would fit the job better. Haven’t ever had two stoves in a house, nor have we ever had a new build so not sure the BTU’s needed.

 

Make sure in contract, have concrete floor have thermal and water breaks from ground.

 

My last two slabs were insulated with 2" foam underneath and on the sides. They stay nice and warm. Foam is cheap and works.

Yes, the insulated slab will absorb heat but that is a good thing because it then radiates it back out to the room creating a smoothing effect.

 

Was it foam board or spray? Someone we know mentioned they had their foundation exterior sprayed. Thought that was interesting.

 

Spray foam here. I've never noticed an offending smell in my house. It smells like everyone else's house. I heard the same BS when I had it installed and did some research. Modern spray foams are much better about off gassing then foams from 30 - 40 years ago. The foam they sprayed in my house is soy based, not oil based. I have 2x6 exterior walls that are filled completely full of open cell insulation. I walk by it every day in my basement and smell nothing.

Put triple pane argon filled new build windows (R-7) in part of my house last year. The energy tax credit paid for the upgrade from double to triple pane ($600 IRR). Unfortunately, I think that's gone. Find a wholesale window distributor in your area and work with them, they can get you a much better price. If you want to venture to Ohio, I'll gladly send you the information for the Provia dealer I worked with on my doors and windows. What these companies charge for window replacements is whole sale robbery!!!

 

Agree completely. Second biggest source of air leakage in your house after the ceiling. My band board, and basement walls were sprayed with closed cell foam a few feet down.

 

Our plan was rockwool but they would spray the sill plate band to seal it up. The concern I have with spray foam is having rot and not finding it until it’s too late. Maybe that’s just me being over analytical.

 

I used foam board. 20 psi stuff is stronger than the compacted gravel beneath it. Of course there is 6 mil plastic beneath the foam as well. The board must be cheaper and you know it's 20 psi and 2" thick. I wouldn't spray the ground.

My bedroom is on top of one of these slabs and when we're barefoot stepping out of bed in the morning it has never been cold. We were worried about an exposed slab as a bedroom floor but it's awesome. I burned in a nice steel trowel finish and then applied clear poly for a shine. Same thing in the shop.

 

You're worrying too much itll have a sill gasket and the plate will be treated.

 

Thank you, that’s good to know. I’ll get back to worrying about better things like which stoves to pick!