Thermostat moved away from fireplace?

[dsprik]

I have a 2007 3400 with the fireplace. As the weather dips below freezing, I want to keep the propane on while running the fireplace for our main heat.

The thermostat is on the wall right above the fireplace. This obviously is a major problem. Has anyone tried to move this thermostat? Maybe to the wall around the corner to just above the outlet above the water heater. It would be a much more accurate reading and easier to adjust correctly.

[Parrothead]

Dave,
While we have not been in temps as severe as yours will be, and we don't intend to ever be in them, we have been in some rather cold evenings and we see no problem with running the fireplace and its effect on the furnace. The furnace still comes on if the room gets below its setting. The fireplace can't do the job alone when it is really cold. I'm talking about 40's.
Happy trails..........................

[JH Sechelt]

Hey Dave,

Now if you had one of those remote thermostats...... You could put the remote where you wanted it & set it on the
" I feel " Mode

By the way did you get your new trailer all covered by " the white stuff " last week ?

J&D

[indy roadrunner]

Dave, I have wondered about that myself. Heat rises and heat from the fireplace rises on about 4 feet before it hits the thermostat. It is bound to have some effect on it. We need our resident modification specialist Ozz to look into that. Like you say, maybe move it around the corner.

[bobgay]

Dave, on those real cold nights you need to make sure the fireplace does not keep the room so warm that the furnace doesn't come on at all. The furnace supplies the heat that keeps the pipes from freezing in the basement.
Bob

[H. John Kohl]

Before you relocate your thermostat make sure the new mounting surface does not effect its reading. I have an 02 model and mounted a thermometer on the outside wall. It is effected by the sun shining on the outside and outside cold. I have a second thermometer from our stick house sitting on the counter and it gives us a better reading.
I guess my point is to mount it on an inside will which should have less external influence to its true reading.
Let us know how it works.
Cheers,

[dsprik]

Sue, we have had the fireplace running down to 30. It does OK by itself, but we don't mind it a little cool in here - especially in the bedroom while sleeping. We plan on getting a 2nd ceramic heater (all over in all stores now) shortly to help in the BR. We don't pay for electricity here - just propane. However, I know that will eventually change...

J&D, We have fled the "tyranny of the north" (white stuff). We are currently in Mountain Home, NC (just S. of Asheville). Still have not had the Montana in a flake of snow... A remote thermostat could be an answer. After all the posts, though, I still have concerns...

Phill, I see you are looking at the same thing I am. Maybe moving it to the spot right above the outlet (around the corner) would work great, but it still may need fine tuning - like it does now. Right now, I have to set it at 83 at night with the fireplace on, just so it kicks on occasionally for the belly.

Bob, Absolutely! That's the reason I asked - to keep the furnace going just for the benefit of the belly area. We leave our BR door open to get the heat from the fireplace.

John, that spot above the counter would be perfect, I believe. Not on an outside wall. Center placement in the living area. Away from any windows that could supply ambient heat from the sun. Not in the direct line of heat exiting from the fireplace. Also, still easy to access.

Just have to look and see how to get in behind that false wall above the water heater...

[Wrenchtraveller]

Dave, have you tried having your big light fixture/ fan turning slowly while the fireplace is on to help circulate the heat. I do that once in a while with my fireplace on. We are at home but I go out into the Montana and putter around in there with the firplace on. It is about 55 when I go out there and the fireplace on high will warm it up 10 degrees in about 30 minutes.

Do you notice every Home Depot, Costco, and dept store you go into is selling electric fireplaces and they are one of the hottest ( pun intended ) selling appliances on the market today.

After owning one I can understand why. I have two real fireplaces in my stick house but they are a pain to use and the electric gives you the no heat option you don't have with real fireplaces.

It sounds like the Full Time Lifestyle is agreeing with you guys. It is nice to be able to move your home so easily. Take care and keep enjoying your new 3400.

[dsprik]

I agree, Don. The electric fireplace is a huge plus for us. We are planning on moving further south to Orlando within a few weeks, so I hope we don't need to prevent against too much sub-freezing.

I forgot to mention that I do run my ceiling fan - on reverse/low. With these high ceilings, it really helps to circualte the heat. In fact, I run it all the time. Even whent the A/C is on.

[Parrothead]

Dave
Somewhere I read that you shouldn't run the ceiling fan when the AC is on. Don't remember where. Maybe someone else knows about this. I've been thinking about your move of the thermostat. Won't the stove and oven make it off if you move it over above the outlet?
Happy trails......................

[dsprik]

It's a little shielded from direct stove heat, I think, Sue. It's kinda around the corner, but it possible that it may be a hot area with the stove on. My main concern is night time temps when the stove activity should be rather dormant. Still not sure how I could move it though without making a mess out of the wall(s)...

[dsprik]

Forgot about the A/C, Sue. I only have the fan on low/reverse, but I think I heard that too. Haven't had a problem yet, though. But it is something to keep in mind. Thanks.