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[jd40mo77]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Ozarkbiomass E200?
 
I have a good easy source for wood and just need something more economical than say a Hardy or Central Boiler like the locals around here sell......

[jd40mo77]

I got a chance to go up and look these over in person Friday and they look pretty good too me.
I don't suppose there are any members out there that have anything to offer about these stoves?

[Scott7m]

I've looked at them, I was not impressed in the least. 

Sadly you often get what you pay for...   

[jd40mo77]

I  plan on taking a drive up around the Salem, Mo area to see if I can talk to a couple of people who actually have one in their yard if the weather cools off in the next week like they are calling for it to......

I wouldn't be disappointed if I bought one and it functioned for at least 3-5 years without needing the attention of a welder.

Just as long as it would keep a fire going with only loading some once twice a day since I have plenty of easily obtained wood.... the red oaks just keep dying around here....

[Scott7m]

Why not go for a unit that could expect to go 20 years plus?  Thry are cheaper, but not like 4x as cheap

[Scott7m]

But if they rust out, not much a welder can do to fix that besides build new

[jd40mo77]

Yeah,

I am also looking really hard at a Heatmaster  MF3000 or 5000 and a dealer quoted me $5500 or less to pick-up the 3000 model for just the stove itself.   Another dealer quoted the same price for a Hardy H2....
And yet another quoted me $6510 for a Central Boiler CL5036.   And then about $4200 for a Earth Rancher 365.   I really  wish I'd had time to build something for my 30x30 shop with 13.5 ft. walls and have tested it there............then I could just load it up and hook it to the new house we are just now starting.   It is going to have an unfinished basement 36x50 and a main floor 36x62 with 6" walls.   I have purchased 1500 ft. of 1/2" pex and intend to install it in my basement floor.    My concrete contractor has mentioned using grade60 1/2" rebar in the floor in a 4 ft. grid but I am thinking we need to install at least twice that much and zip tie the pex to the rebar? 

I intend to used the water/air heat exchanger in the central HVAC air handler ductwork as the main heat source and valve in the radiant floor heat occasionally to help dry out any moisture from the basement.  That is unless we try the floor heat and it proves to heat the entire house just fine since we aren't way up north and the winters are relatively mild for the most part here in southern MO.

So far I have just $220 invested in the 1500 ft. of PEX and it is WATTS brand.
I am going back and forth on the true benefits and drawbacks to insulation beneath slab.   We are going to have wash rock and thick plastic down beneath the slab as it is.   I can't find that many individuals or contractors with experience working with the radiant floor system around here.   A few have mentioned that they know people who installed it without the insulation and it worked but probably used more wood...
I am afraid that sealing the heat in will at the same time seal out the natural cooling effect of the basement floor in the hot summer-time..............

[Scott7m]

If you don't insulate it, your going to be really disappointed.  I've seen folks not insulate there radiant and use far more wood than they should. 

That is a great price on a 3000

IMO, out of the ones you mentioned heatmaster and central are the best 2 followed by hardy!  Good luck in your search 

[jd40mo77]

How will the insulation act in the summer here where temps reach high 90s and this past summer we have 105 and up a few days.......... will it reduce the cooling effect of the 58 deg. ground temp.

Which insulation do you recommend?

The CB dealer suggested some kind of polystyrene........it was white and like 3/4 thick
Another showed me a blanket type...........which has fiberglass and the reflective layer.
Costs for insulation materials have ranged from $1500 to 2000 and up.....

Thanks for the replies!!! and info!!

[Scott7m]

I can't think of it's name but it has studs that stick up all over it and you simply snap yourex down in it, it's the best I've seen.  Can't recall the name or price tho