We're in New England, usually fairly cold winters (0 degrees F. is a typical low, but we've had minus twenty a time or two as well.
We're following directions from the previous owner. Part of the issue is having two dampers to open and close when starting or shutting down a fire. If we forget at bedtime, much of the heat just goes up the chimney and cools down the thermal mass. I think as well, it is better for the thermal mass not to be subject to large swings of temperature-- cracks are more likely to develop. So we have to start the fire 4 hours before desired bedtime to make sure we can close up the dampers.
Milkyway, we load our stove with over two large armfuls of hardwood at each burn. It burns very hot, but still takes 4 hours before no coals are glowing.
Re: Savings
We're following directions from the previous owner. Part of the issue is having two dampers to open and close when starting or shutting down a fire. If we forget at bedtime, much of the heat just goes up the chimney and cools down the thermal mass. I think as well, it is better for the thermal mass not to be subject to large swings of temperature-- cracks are more likely to develop. So we have to start the fire 4 hours before desired bedtime to make sure we can close up the dampers.
Milkyway, we load our stove with over two large armfuls of hardwood at each burn. It burns very hot, but still takes 4 hours before no coals are glowing.