In Search of Heat

The road to a new wood stove was an unnecessarily long one. The first go round, I was told I would have to remove the entire mantel, because of clearances. I researched about a dozen models offered by one local company before I went on my own internet search.

Then I contacted another company that mentioned that fireplace companies are only associated with certain products, and I wouldn't get the whole gamut from one company.

I eventually ended up going with the second company, because not only would I not have to rip out my mantel with the brand they offered, but the heat output was the highest of any fireplace I had seen. In addition, it came with an additional feature called the GreenStart, a button you push to light the fire with a spark and hot air.

I decided not to be present because I had just spent the day at the house, freezing, while asbestos was removed from the basement. Just in case, I removed almost all the furniture from the room, left a key, and headed back to Portland.

When I got back to the house that weekend, there was a thick layer of dust covering the entire room, and soot hand and foot marks throughout the first floor. When I asked the installer about that, he said, 'yeah, that old thing was dirty. When we took out some brick it was just a big dust storm in here.' Great. And so this was your first time installing? Couldn't anticipate that one? I don't know.... a dust barrier wasn't a thought?

In addition, there was a big black cord coming out of the front of the fireplace. A fireplace that I had specifically had an electrician come and hardware for the blower. When I pushed the button for the Green Start, a very loud sound came out of this big, obtrusive box.

Lesson learned - always be there for an installation!!

So I came back yesterday, and the guy said, "well I've never installed one of these before."
So I said, "drill a hole through the bottom of the firebox and put that loud thing in the basement."
"Well, I will need another guy for this. I'll have to come back."

Arrrrgh!

So he came back, and, long story short, they were bent over backwards to make it right. They offered to clean up the dust, but we decided it would be an ideal time to rip open some walls.

I ended up purchasing a Lopi Large Flush Hybrid wood insert, because of the large viewing area and heating capacity. The website shows an arched door, but a rectacular door is also available (my choice).

www.lopistoves.com

The jury is still out on how well it will heat the house. We've fired it up twice, and only just figured out the blower. I'm hoping that when we start closing the house back up, it will heat a little better than it is now.

In the search for the perfect fireplace insert, I came up with some pretty nice ones. Maybe for another project or the little red shack sometime in the future. 

Aduro stoves are pretty slick, as are the Asgard.

http://www.adurofire.com/asgaard-stoves/stove/

Wittus stoves are equally as sleek and pleasing. My favorite is the Shaker stove.

www.wittus.com


Last but not least, the Morso has a really pleasing line of wood stoves. The 5660 standard is a real standout, but some of the free standing stoves made it a tough decision.

http://www.morsona.com/5660-Standard-547.aspx

Progress

Our temporary cellar door cover...

Gravelmania, an inexpensive landscape option, and the luxury of helping remove dirt from shoes before entering house. Also helps to prevent runoff. Bonus: dry basement!

The rest of the asphalt will go, because we'll be burying the power line, and planting a hedge between the house and road for more privacy.

french drain rerouting water from basement to orchard.

snapshot of the house, shingles repaired and laying in wait for some springtime beautification.

all the concrete had to go somewhere. there were some stones lining the ditch. we added to it a bit.