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1

Plumbing / heating new garage

« on: February 21, 2015, 10:03:32 AM »

I am getting ready to add on to my barn. It will be 35x50x10 for a garage when I am done. I will be using the existing 15x50 concrete that is already there and adding 20x50 concrete. My question is what is the best way to heat it? If I put radiant heat in the new floor would that be enough to heat the whole garage or should I just buy a hang on unit? I have a hardy h4 that I heat my house with now. I was going to put house wrap under my metal and stud the walls out and install r11 kraft face. The ceiling I thought about 6" of blown insulation. Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance

2

Hardy / H4 insulation

« on: September 16, 2014, 11:36:37 AM »

I was wondering if anybody else has tried to do anything more efficient with the insulation on a hardy stove. I replaced all my insulation about 4 years ago and recently looked at my insulation on the sides and top and it was about 1/2" thick now. I am not sure what caused this just looking for better ideas.

3

Home Made / chimney size

« on: February 02, 2014, 05:41:43 PM »

I am in the process of researching some ideas about building my own stove. My idea on the chimney is very difficult because I am wanting to make it somewhat like portage and main with the chimney going up and to the front then 180 back then up. I know this will be very difficult if possible but I think it will make the stove a lot more efficient.
My question is what is the best size chimney to use 6" or 8". And has anybody ever tried to use square box style tubing for the chimney instead of round ?
I know that every body has always used round but I was just wondering why. Is it better? Better air flow?
S it possible to use square tubing then use round when I come out of the stove?
Sorry if this is a dumb question. Just maybe there is a scientific reason why everybody uses round
Thanks

4

Hardy / auto fill valve

« on: January 27, 2014, 02:30:06 PM »

I bought my hardy h4 used about 6 years ago. The previous owner said that he never hooked up the automatic fill. He said when the light comes on just add water. Well that sounded easy enough well 6 years later I am tired of it.
My lines are already buried so I know that I could just dig them up add another cold supply line and would be done. When I installed this sto e at my new house (I know should have added it then but that would have been way too easy).  I installed to wires same size as other electrical components on the back of the stove. My theory is that I can take my auto fill valve hook up the 2 wires and put a T in my return line back to my stove.
Not real sure this theory will work
What do you think? And has any body else tried this.

5

Hardy / dampner in chimney

« on: September 26, 2013, 06:49:20 PM »

I have a Hardy own that is about 25 yes old. I have done everything possible that I have found to make it more efficient. I have been thinking about putting a dampner in the chimney like an inside woodburner. Has anybody ever tried this? I wouldnt keep it fully closed just about half or so, that way it could still fire up when needed. I have the plate above the 2 pipes which is very helpful but thought a dampner would be even better. When I first purchased my stove it didn't have a plate above the pipes and it sure went through the wood that year. I didn't know it was supposed to have one until the following year.

6

Home Made / plans for a new build. give me your thoughts

« on: September 25, 2013, 06:43:46 PM »

I am making some plans to make my homemade wood burner but I thought I would run some of my ideas past you fellas that already made one before. I like the idea of a round fire box so I am going to use propane tanks. Either 250/500. 500/1000. Or a 250/1000. I am wanting to bring the chimney up out of the firebox, is the back or top better? Next I would like to bring the chimney to the front of stove then back then up and out. I am wanting to do this to use the heat off of my chimney. Would 2x4 or 4x6 square tubing be better or worse than round for the chimney. I know depending on tanks I use room for the water and chimney might be an issue. I here of people using water holding tanks in there house for extra water. Is it better to have water in the stove or in a holding tank? What is a good ratio for water that is in the stove itself? And how much should be stored in the house. I currently have a hardy h4 which the chimney is straight out of the top. The chimney is always extremely hot. My current stove is not very efficient and is about 25 yrs old and for the past 3 years I have been welding patches because of leaks. What are your ideas for the line going to and from the house? Where is the best placement for them? Is there anywhere where you can buy a door setup as a kit or just build one. I know my chimney idea I will have to build a small door for a clean out.

Current stove is 80 ft from house
House is 2600 sqft
Also heating domestic hot water
In a year or so I am building a 40x30x12 pole barn
I want to make sure I build a big enough stove to heat all this and only have to fire it 2x a day when its really cold
Currently I burn about an average of 15 cords of wood a year (a mix of good and bad wood)