I have a 120yo 1500sq foot house that is currently heated using forced hot water radiators and oil heat ($$). All the living area is on the main floor with an unfinished basement and attic. I had cellulose insulation blown in 3 years ago but still have the old, original, and drafty windows…
I looked yesterday at my local Harmon dealer which is only 2 miles away and they only carry Harman. I’ve heard good things but the model I liked most was the Advance, which they sell at MSRP and since they have one in stock from last year they’re selling it for 2007 pricing at $3101 I believe. I do want something thermostatically controlled, auto-igniting, and quality. (Do it once, do it right)
Now in looking up the Harmon Advance on here all I heard of were problems for the most part, now I know you usually don’t hear from all the trouble free people, but it still got me concerned. I see many with the XXV and P68 any reason they’re more common? Cosmetically I like the fireplace look of the Advance since this will go in my living room, looks classy, and I do not have and always wanted a fireplace.
So my questions:
1. Are there other models/manufacturers I should be looking at?
2. Is the Advance a good stove and typically trouble free?
3. Do these usually sell at MSRP or can you shop around and get a better deal?
4. They want $350 for the vent kit, $500 for installation, $350 for a hearth pad… Sounds absurd to me! Hearth pad I can do, but are there other places to buy the Harman vent kit and is DIY install advisable?
Any other insight you guys have just let me know!
FYI: I’m in Weymouth, MA 20 minutes south of Boston so if there are other stores to check out or pellet suppliers please let me know as I’ll definitely be buying one this summer!
You might also want to look at Quadrafire and Enviro pellet stoves. But the best return on your investment at this point would be to tighten up the house. Addressing the windows, even if just with tight storm windows, fixing leaks around the sill (in the basement) and then insulating it will pay off no matter what you are heating with.
While I certainly agree replacing the windows would save some energy, I would suggest thinking twice before changing them.
I have a 100+ y/o house in New England as well. I changed the windows the first year I bought the house to save on heating costs. Looking back, I now regret doing this. I hate the fact that the replacement windows don’t have as much glass area (probably 15-20% less) so there’s a loss of ambient light. Much more importantly, I regret tossing the original windows. The house lost a lot of its original charm and historic feel. I suspect the value of the house probably decreased as well for the same reason since buyers of historic houses usually want original windows.
If your house wasn’t so old, I’d say change the windows. In your case, I’d suggest buying some good quality storm windows instead…
Harmans are usually close to retail (list) price, although certain models at certain times may be a little better. I would say you cannot go wrong with a Harman if you can afford it. They are very heavy duty and now well backed by one of the larger stove companies (same company as Quadrafire).
Well, those prices you mentioned seem very good. But then, it’s all relative right? I sell all those things for quite a bit more in my market.
There no such thing as a trouble free pellet stove. You must first recognize that fact and then resolve yourself to what is involved in owning and burning a pellet stove. I’ve been selling, repairing, burning, and maintaining pellet stoves for over 15 years. Haven’t found one I like more than Harman. As pellet stoves go, it’s the easiest to deal with. Easy to clean, easy to repair, burns any grade pellet. It’s worth the extra money.
BTW, I also sell Avalon and Lopi at well over $3000. That’s what a good top of the line pellet stove costs. We tried selling lower priced stoves. It didn’t work out too well. Stick with the high end and your chances of success are much higher.
Zack I’m two towns over from you.
You must be shopping at that stove
shop over on Columbian? I shopped
around the local places (in 2005) and everyone
wanted $500’ish for installation and
$400 or so for the vent kit.
There’s a stove shop over on rte 138 in canton. >
Stove Depot Hearth & Home
1049 Turnpike St
Canton, MA 02021
(781) 821-0777
Woodstoves & Fireplaces Unlimited on 28 in Middleboro sells pellet stoves
if they are still in business I’m not sure but my brother knows a guy who bought
an Enviro from them 5 years ago:
193 E Grove St
Middleboro, MA 02346
(508) 947-8835
I don’t know how reputable any of these places are. Just forwarding
the info to you. Hope it helps.
I have an Advance. As a first time pellet owner it took time to get used to the noise...be aware these things are not exatly quiet.
I also has smoke problems due to exhaust piping. Immediately after the the exhaust I had a 90 degree elbow which connected to 21 feet of pipe going strait up. Since it is more than 15 feet in total length, the manual states to use 4 inch pipe rather than 3 inch. The dealer installed a 3 inch elbow, followed by 3 to 4 inch adaptor, then the 21 foot pipe which exhausts through the roof.
To make a long story short, the elbows leaked...several of them. The dealer used Simpson Duravent, which I’m not impressed with. Then the elbow joints were coated with silicon, which helped but didn’t eliminate the problem. Finally the 3 inch elbow was replaced by a 4 inch, and a 4 to 3 inch adaptor was attached at the stove exhaust. This seems to have solved my smoke problem, although I don’t know if it’s just luck of the draw in finding a non-leaking Simpson elbow.
The final issue I have is a “stove smell” that starts only after the stove gets hot—after burning for a half hour or so. The hotter I burn the stove, the stronger is gets. (It’s hardly noticeable at the lowest burn rate.) I don’t know if its still paint curing or residual oils in the stove, or if I have an internal slight stove leak. I’ve used the stove since last Oct, but living in California, I only burned about 1.25 tons of pellets. The smell is different than the smoke I saw/smelled leaking out of the elbow. It’s a bit like the smell of unburnt pellets...but not quite. It’s hard to describe.
I have an Advance. As a first time pellet owner it took time to get used to the noise...be aware these things are not exatly quiet.
The dealer used Simpson Duravent, which I’m not impressed with.
--Alan
I used Selkirk Metalbestos brand and I`m not impressed with that brand either. The 90 degree elbows were loose and they twisted easily . However the hi temp silicone and aluminum tape strengthened the pipes and are now very solid.
John
John, do you also have the Advance? Do you have the “stove smell” I described? Thanks, Alan
No Alan , I do not have the Advance. Mine is the P38. I don`t get any smoke or smell since I am vented into a 2 story stainless steel interior chimney that produces excellent draft.
John
hey Zack,
I did go to the Mansfield Harman dealer and the price they have listed for the Advance was 2849.00. I dont know if this is last years model or not. I was not thrilled with the service (to busy to talk to me), but the price seems to be reasonable. The other posative note is that they run an ad in the local paper once every couple of months for a couple of hundred off that listed price. Maybe it would be worth the phone call (Kirley Masonry and stone 508-339-3700). I wish you luck in your search I seem to be in the same boat as you with so many questions, brands, and comparisons. jeff
hey Zack,
I was not thrilled with the service (to busy to talk to me), but the price seems to be reasonable.
If you are not thrilled with the dealer by just talking with him, IMO move on.
If/When there is a problem with the stove, you will need to rely on that dealer
for service.
While I certainly agree replacing the windows would save some energy, I would suggest thinking twice before changing them.
I have a 100+ y/o house in New England as well. I changed the windows the first year I bought the house to save on heating costs. Looking back, I now regret doing this. I hate the fact that the replacement windows don’t have as much glass area (probably 15-20% less) so there’s a loss of ambient light. Much more importantly, I regret tossing the original windows. The house lost a lot of its original charm and historic feel. I suspect the value of the house probably decreased as well for the same reason since buyers of historic houses usually want original windows.
If your house wasn’t so old, I’d say change the windows. In your case, I’d suggest buying some good quality storm windows instead…
That’s too bad. There are many quality window manufactures out there, most are able to make a window that would more closely match the historic look with the added benefit of greater efficiency.
It’s the Accentra-2. Dealer installed. WHEN it runs, it runs rich. Pipe clogged twice. Side of house brown. When it stops it shows 6 blinking lights (out of fuel). It takes about 8 times of trying to start, then it may run. Ash bucket fills in 2 days with unburnt pellets. The glass turns black in 2 or 3 hours after cleaning. I’ve had a blow back that cost MY insurance company $6000.00. The dealer has stopped coming after being here 10 or 11 times. Called Harman and they hung up on me. I sent a letter to Dane Harman and he never answered it. I’m know dealing with the Attorney General of Vermont. I hope this helps.
