Info: 2250sq ft ranch, 2250 sq ft partially exposed basement. OWB is hooked up 12/27/11 to forced air propane furnace, 800sq ft basement in floor heating, and propane water heater. Propane is only used for stove. Grundfos pump on owb, taco actuator for in floor, side arm exchanger for water heater
Observation: OWB is awesome! Basement t-stat is set at 65, but i haven't witnessed the temp below 66 and as high as 69 with the taco actuator never calling for more radiant heat. We always have hot water, so water heater never kicks in for propane usage. T- stat upstairs is set at 68, and during the day has went up to 73 with the sun out. If the temp is above 25 and sunny outside, blower on propane furnace doesn't kick in. This has been a mild winter so far here in WI, so i have been able to just feed it pallet scraps and scrap building materials most of the time. I have used mixed wood overnight if the temp is supposed to drop under 20 just to make sure the fire doesn't go out. Just saw my first savings when the propane truck pulled in, and then pulled right out.
Tips: Wear safety glasses always, use a light to attach to hat or band around head and hook up front light to go on when damper opens (thanks for the tip, ridgekid!) -matt
[attachment deleted by admin]