I have been burning 4 years. I have a central boiler 6048. I live in West Bygod Virginia. I have a very old, very large house, not insulated very well.
1. I built a wood / furnace totally enclosed room on my garage. I enclosed about half of the unit in the wall. I can also store about 3 cords of wood in the room. I installed a fan in the wall to draw the smoke out of the room. Only above the furnace i used 1" foil backed foam covered with tin. The room has proved very helpful and worth every dime.
2. I keep my wood cut well ahead of time. Seasoned wood will make a big difference in consumption.
3. I burn all wood, but the best i have found is. Osage, locust, hickory, hard maple and red elm.
4. Keep ash out of furnace and stirred. It makes a big difference. Keep in mind i have a central boiler.
5. Place the unit as close as possible ( remember prevailing wind) and buy the good pipe. I bought the single pipe with both discharge and return lines inside, foam filled. Insulate everything you can.
6. Round wood better than split.
7. I load the front section of the unit only. I cut 20"
8. I have a metal wheel barry to take out ashes. Wrap some potatoes in foil and put in ashes and take outside.
My opinion only. May help someone new or just starting.