Okay, so I finally got to my local stove dealer, and I'm pretty settled on a Keystoker 90. I intend to put the Keystoker 90 in the basement, direct vented through the foundation wall, then run a 6" air duct out of the top of the stove through a new register I am going to cut in the floor, leaving the basement door open as a return (for now).
Here's my question to anyone with a similar basement/upstairs duct system... what percentage of the heat will actually make it upstairs through the duct? I know that the stove body will dissipate some heat into the basement, that's fine (yes, its uninsulated poured concrete... I know). I'd just like to know what amount of heat I should expect to come into the first floor of the house. Does 50% make it upstairs, 75%, any ideas?
Anyone with any experience with the Keystoker 90 or ducting from the basement? What can I expect?
Thanks,
Mike
How Much Heat from Ducts in a Keystoker 90?
- Mike Wilson
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- Location: Orient Point, NY
Last edited by Mike Wilson on Fri. Mar. 09, 2007 6:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- LsFarm
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Hello Mike, forum member WNY has that exact stove and configuration, I'm sure he will post an answer soon.
I would say roughly 50% of the available heat will go up the vent to the second floor. There is a LOT of heat given off from the sides and top of a stove. LeisureLine makes a duct top for some of their stoves that picks up heat off the sides of the stove as well as the top.
You will make a huge improvement in heat output if you hook a simple 6" duct to the distribution fan inlet and use this duct as a cold air return instead of pulling cold air off the floor of the basement, I'll wager that the heat from the top vent will rise by 30-50* with a cold air return instead of cold air off the floor.
Take care, Greg L
.
I would say roughly 50% of the available heat will go up the vent to the second floor. There is a LOT of heat given off from the sides and top of a stove. LeisureLine makes a duct top for some of their stoves that picks up heat off the sides of the stove as well as the top.
You will make a huge improvement in heat output if you hook a simple 6" duct to the distribution fan inlet and use this duct as a cold air return instead of pulling cold air off the floor of the basement, I'll wager that the heat from the top vent will rise by 30-50* with a cold air return instead of cold air off the floor.
Take care, Greg L
.
- WNY
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As Greg (lsFarm) You will probalby loose 50% into the basement, it radiates a lot of heat, if you can make a jacket to capture the heat, that would help alot. Mine was a direct vent also, But since I have chimney now, I removed it and hooke it up direct as shown.
I actually cut my own 8" hole to move as much of the heat upstairs with the built in blower. I also put an 8" inline duct fan to move even more air.
If you can order with the higher CFM blower, I think 400cfm? do it! The standard is 265cfm. I also blocked off the front of the stove where the vent originally was.
Also, depends on how insulated your house, windows, etc...our basement is drafty, but I got it from 48 degrees up to almost 60 in spots and sealed alot of the cracks.
Pic. of my setup. The large pipe is the cold air return for the furnance, I will hook up my inlet to the blower eventually.
I also have another larger stove that I am in the process of hooking to hopefully give me more heat.
Any questions, just ask!!
I actually cut my own 8" hole to move as much of the heat upstairs with the built in blower. I also put an 8" inline duct fan to move even more air.
If you can order with the higher CFM blower, I think 400cfm? do it! The standard is 265cfm. I also blocked off the front of the stove where the vent originally was.
Also, depends on how insulated your house, windows, etc...our basement is drafty, but I got it from 48 degrees up to almost 60 in spots and sealed alot of the cracks.
Pic. of my setup. The large pipe is the cold air return for the furnance, I will hook up my inlet to the blower eventually.
I also have another larger stove that I am in the process of hooking to hopefully give me more heat.
Any questions, just ask!!
- Mike Wilson
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- Location: Orient Point, NY
Thanks for the information. Based on what you're saying, I would definitely make an air return to the stove. I could just use the HVAC ducts I guess, but what I am thinking is putting the stove on its own "circuit" ... have one duct running warm air upstairs, and a separate one drawing from another room to the stove as a return. I think that would create a nice circulation. I can order the larger blower, its 350cfm, and I hope that helps some from the regular 265. Also, I saw the LeisureLine on the web, and like the shroud they have available, however the closest dealer is a clean 200 miles from me!
Let me ask you, what does the air intake on the stove look like? Is it something that you can conveniently hook a duct up to... like a nice round 6 or 8" intake... or does it draw from some other shaped thing? Have a photo?
Thanks,
Mike
Let me ask you, what does the air intake on the stove look like? Is it something that you can conveniently hook a duct up to... like a nice round 6 or 8" intake... or does it draw from some other shaped thing? Have a photo?
Thanks,
Mike
- WNY
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The intake is the side of the blower unit, I think 4" or 6" inlet. You can probalby get a flange to adapt to it. It look similiar to this unit...hope that helps. YOu can use a flex duct for a dryer or the solid pipe.