Chillyhiker, stir those coals like the others said. Burn 'em down, pull 'em forward, then load. That should help immensely.
Free heat, there's got to be some moisture in that wood some where. I notice I get that drip (mines out the draft door) when burning fresh cut dead ash. The dead ash that had been piled since July has no drip. That's the only thing I can point to, gotta be some moisture somewhere in it.
As for my 6000, 1600sq.ft. two story farm house ( kinda drafty)at 74°, 24x30 garage at 50°, 70° when I'm in it, and dhw(5 people). I think I'm getting it perfected. My wood is cut @ 22" this year vs. 18" last year. Getting 24 hrs on a load of white ash at single digits night time, teens to twenty day time lately. Scott, you're right down the road, you know what we've had lately. Sitting here right now at 0° being nice and toasty. My only regret is that I didn't buy one years ago instead of screwing around with a corn burner for 7yrs.