Considering Tempwood Stove for 850 Square Foot Basement
I bought an old house recently and it has no heating. Previous owner used a wood stove as well as all other previous owners since the house was built in 1952. Previous owner died and his son took out the old stove before he sold the house. The flue measures 6 inches inside diameter. I have stuck a snake camera down the top and up all ports (basement, 1st level, and it has like a half level finished room with a port. The flue is spotless. I so zero creosote buildup. The neighbors said the previous owner had recently had it cleaned. I saw no holes or damage to the clay or terra cotta lining, whatever it is. It looks in excellent shape. The neighbors say the previous owner burned the stove daily in the winter with no problems.
This would be for the basement and would be the only heat source while I remodel the house, which may take me a year or 2. The house does have a steel grate in the floor on the first level near the chimney, so I could get some hot air rising into the main level, or even rig up a fan.
House is in VA.
I am considering a Tempwood stove as I can get one fairly cheap. I have read nothing but great things about the Tempwood II. I understand it is top loading and down draft. The only complaint I have heard is it can be harder to load really large logs due to the top loading door size. And maybe it is harder to clean out. The good things I have heard are: long lasting burns, easy to use, safe, simple, quick to get up to temp.
I have attached pics of the space it would go in. I would move the weights. It is 850 square foot unfinished basement. Main level is about same size. Level 1.5 is like 200 square feet but I don't plan on using it for now. I will eventually do mini splits when I do the remodel, but for the next winter or 2 would rely on the wood stove. I do have space heaters for the main level where needed.
Let me know what you think. I am extremely budget limited so I can't afford anything more than about $800 and preferably more like $400. There are dozens of old wood stoves for sale near me and most are around $400. Thanks!