The Lopi stove is highly regarded as one of the best. It is a very efficient and clean burning unit. You will be able to control the heat output and will get very good return on the wood fuel you put in. We have a converted masonry fireplace with an insert and the stove produces enough heat to shut down the furnace in our 3500 square foot home when the blowers are on, however, we don't have very cold temps here. Depending on the size of your stove, the Lopi inserts are rated to heat between 1800 and 2400 square feet of home.
You can add ducts from your furnace to the room for times when you don't want to use the stove. The easiest way is to install flexible ducts on take-offs at the output plenum of your furnace. and route them to registers which you will need to cut and install in the floor of the room. Most registers are placed below windows to cut drafts and minimize condensation. I would think you could hire this done by a furnce company for between $400 to $600 for two ducts and registers.
If you want to duct heat to the upstairs I think you can borrow a concept from the old gravity heat concept. Heat will rise, and if you cut a hole through the ceiling and floor between two joists and install an attractive (antique?) grate in the ceiling and floor, heat will be conducted to the upstairs. The floor grate upstairs should have louvers to shut-off the air flow as desired and give you control. Gravity heating to the upstairs is a tried and true concept that involves no fans, electrical connections or ductwork. You just have to be creative in finding attractive solutions for the vent duct.
Post Reply
Watch this Post
