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[rims421]

Hello Everyone,

We are in the process of purchasing a farm in southern New England.
It has close to thirty acres that are wooded. (plenty of wood available) The home is approx. 2800 sq. ' was built in the late 1800s but has been updated with new windows insulation etc. We will be constructing a 30x 50  metal building to be used for equipment storage / produce packing shed. We also will be adding a small poly greenhouse approx. 20x30 that we would to heat as well.
I am looking at Woodmaster as they have a dealership in our area.
Looking for advice regarding the following.

1) Size of the unit.
a) Looking at either the woodmaster 4500 or 5500
b) I know  we don't want an undersize unit, but what are the disadvantages of an oversized unit?

2) Best system for the metal building (radiant in the concrete or ceiling mounted fan unit)

3) Opinions on woodmaster units.

4) Any other general advice.

We will not be taking possession of the property till Feb. and would be looking to install in the summer/ fall of 2014.



 
 

[slimjim]

By southern New England do you mean CT.

[rims421]

Yes

[coolidge]

Look at the Portage and Main also, they have some nice boilers on the market.

[slimjim]

Thanks Coolidge, check with your local code enforcement officer as to if you need an EPA approved unit and what setbacks and stack hights are required, I think that portions of CT are exempt.

[willowbk]

rims
i'm also in ct, i purchased a portage and main optimizer 250 this summer and have been running it for two months.
i'd be glad to show you mine.  when i researched my installation, my town didnt have rules-they said if it meets state of ct guidelines they are ok w/ it.  so if you are ready the two main rules/regs is that the unit must be 200 feet from any closest neighbor and the stack height must be higher than any other roof top of a neighbor within 500 ft.
i was lucky to put mine 501 and i was good to go.  each town is different so you really have to check with them first before you buy anything. sounds a bit easier w/ that much property, but still most towns are ignorant of the rules and new stoves.  i spoke w/ head of that department for the state and he cared less that owf was phase 2/new generation.  only drawback w/ portage and main is there are no dealers in ct for service issues, but i have been reassured that it wont be an issue if something arises.  good luck

[slimjim]

Thanks Willowbrook, I' will be passing through your area on my way to PA after the first of the year, perhaps we can get together.

[CountryBoyJohn]

Mr. Rims,  in response to your questions: 

1)  Talk to a reputable dealer who is familiar with the model you will be looking at.  Oversized is better than undersized.  With a bit bigger stove, you can get longer burn times.  If you go too large, you will have longer idle times which means more creosote.
2)  Others will have to chime in on that one.
3)  I have no opinion on woodmaster specifically.  However, it is NOT one of the "NO WAY JOSE" type stoves like Shaver or Wooddoctor.  I think the questions people looking to get an OWB need so answer are: do I want carbon or stainless steel, do I want forced draft or natural, conventional or gasser (state may decide that for you), expensive or affordable, dealer near or far AND is the dealer knowledgeable or just selling a stove.
4)  Do a lot of research on your brand.  Be VERY open minded.  When I got my stove, 90% of the people in my region owned 1 specific brand.  I researched and thought it was a terrible stove, and ended up with a different brand.  The reason everyone had the same stove, is because there was 1 dealer in the area and this was the stove they sold.  So, everyone just got that stove because everyone else had one. 

Good luck and feel free to go into each brand and ask the guys who own them what they like or dislike about their brand.

[LittleJohn]

2) Definately in-slab: got a 48x80 "garage/workshop" with radiant and the heat is so even and when you pull in equipment or vehicle in winter, heat recovers almost immendiately.  Lesser known benefit is that since you are only pumping water, system is very quiet - if its making noise there is a problem.

4) in my opinion place pumps inside a structure, not on OWB, cause it sucks replacing pumps in the middle on winter sitting in a snow bank with frozen finger.  Also, have back up pumps, cause they always fail on the coldest, windiest, weekend when no shops are open.

[Speed]

The woodmasters I am familiar with are good units. Don't know anyone around here with them that have problems. Comparing your demands with what my neighbor is doing with his 4400, you'll want at LEAST the 5500, maybe bigger. You're going to be more than double the square footage his 4400 is doing comfortably.

[djc]

Rims - I have the w/m 4400 - I'm heating about 3,000 sq ft  and my domestic hot water - I'm planning on building a 24 x 32 well insulated work  shop this summer - and that will max out the stove - I agree with speed you'll need at least the 5500- I'm in Seymour Ct - your welcome to stop by and take a look at my set up - just pop me and email - dennis

[rims421]

Thanks everyone for the info. Those Portage and Main units do look pretty nice. I may take you CT guys  up on the offer to view your burners in action. This farm is a dream come true for us and I am determined to set it up right. I will continue my research and will no doubt have more questions as we proceed.

Thanks Again