Yearly cleaning costs

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gerryger

Member
Feb 25, 2011
93
CT
First let me state that I live in CT (new haven county). I just called my installer to schedule a cleaning. The cost was 275.00. Just wondering if anybody out there considers this price reasonable or overpriced. The scope of the work is very thorough. Anybody out there in CT who hires someone at a better price.
 
You need to shop around, that guy is way..................overpriced. I would baulk at $150. Actually, when my guy went to that, he hasn't been back as I do them myself. They are not that hard.

Tom
 
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I would love to clean mine myself also. I am a big DIYer. I have done some work on my stove, however only on external components Anyone have any tips on cleaning the internal parts on a Santa Fe. Do I need to replace blower gaskets? I already cleaned inside the vent stack and replaced gasket around glass.
 
Here in northern NJ I paid $129 for a thorough cleaning. Last winter was my first winter for the stove and I wanted to see how to do a really professional job. The dealer where I bought the stove did the cleaning and preferred that I watch so that next year I could do it myself if I wanted to. This dealer in Montague NJ is the greatest and a real straight shooter. The cleaning fee was $149.00 but if you had it done during the summer it was reduced to $129.00 and I do mean a thorough job.
 
Santa Fe is an easy to clean stove.

Removal of combustion blower will require a new gasket. But is straight forward.

Unplug unit, unplug wires from blower motor, then remove 6 screws (1/4"). Get a long small bristled brush to get behind the blades on the blower (or get a Torx bit and remove completely). Scrape fins (careful not to bend any) with a good wire brush and/or scrape if necessary. I blow motor out lightly with compressed air and also the cooling fan on front and rear. Then maybe a drop of lube or 2 in the areas where you see the bearings (3-n-1 oil/Blue bottle/SAE 20). Reinstall with new gasket, plug wires back in.

Then clean the heat exchanger area real well with a small bottle brush, then clean all holes in burn pot (gun bore brushes work great), making sure to get the 8 at the very bottom of pot (4 front by ignitor and 4 rear at the bottom of the Slope in pot). Other than cleaning convection blower (no gasket needed) a good brush and some compressed air or vacuum works well on it.

Thats about it. Check the door gasket and make sure you get a good seal (dollar bill test).

Hope this helps.
 
I use a member of this forum (smwilliamson) to clean my stove. He has a service contract plan that cleans your stove once in the summer and again in January, this is a complete take every part out and clean it program, I purchased the 2 stove plan and could not be happier! I believe the cost at the time was around $300, this is a fantastic value.

Even better, while he had my old Whitfield apart cleaning and oiling the auger he replaced parts that I had purchased at no extra charge. To me his services are well worth it :)
 
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[New
I use a member of this forum (smwilliamson) to clean my stove. He has a service contract plan that cleans your stove once in the summer and again in January, this is a complete take every part out and clean it program, I purchased the 2 stove plan and could not be happier! I believe the cost at the time was around $300, this is a fantastic value​
/QUOTE]
I'm not in your part of country but I do like hearing about stand up people who do outstanding service. Thumbs up.;ex
 
some how I seemed to have over quoted;em
 
Hello

It is all relative. Gas and expense of doing biz may vary in different regions. If he is doing a good job and you are happy with him, no need to change.

I also own a SanteFe. So if you need any tips just let me know. I like taking the fire pot out every few years and replace the gasket and paint it and the inside of the fire box with Flame Proof Flat Black for car headers from the auto parts store. I also changed the bolts on the fire pot to stainless steel and put stainless steel wing nuts on the bottom for easy removal.
Here is a few pics and tips I did for mine. Hope this helps?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-on-a-quadrafire-santa-fe.88471/#post-1151189

Also replaced the exhaust blower with stainless steel screws with black painted heads!
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ews-in-their-pellet-stove.88582/#post-1153247

Here is a pic of my Sante Fe. Makes a good shed warmer
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...evel-setting-for-start-up.88567/#post-1151206

Here are some pics on cleaning the blower on my Sante Fe.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...s-manual-instructions-for-the-santa-fe.88625/

also pics on servicing the Sante Fe Auger and motor. Nice to clean it out once a year!
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/quadrafire-santa-fe-auger-servicing-any-tips.88577/

How about Using a Lux T-Stat from Lowe's with the swing setting. Makes my shed warm before I go out there in the winter :)
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...atible-t-stat-on-a-quadrafire-santa-fe.88531/

Here are some pics on painting the whole Sante Fe for that new showroom look before you fire it up for the fall!
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...it-look-good-for-the-fall.88499/#post-1148889

Last and not least, some pics of replacing the Sante Fe door gasket with a nice Graphite Impregnated Gasket!
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/quad-santa-fe-door-gasket.78559/#post-1147681

Also the left side door bottom popped apart, so my welder not only fixed it but added strength by adding additional welds in the center of the bottom and top piece. I would recommend doing this before painting as the welding burns off a little paint!
 
Sante Fe here also.Do you find much when you pull exhaust blower on the sante Fe.
 
Hello

My exhaust blower had a lot of ash and crap. I got it from the 1st owner of it that used it to heat a large basement. The basement was dry but dampish in the spring and what not. It was in good shape just cleaned off a little surface rust before repainting. The exhaust fan works good and is quiet but the blades are very corroded!

I cleaned it up and oiled it, but do you think I should just throw a new Fasco motor in for good measure?
 

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I cleaned it up and oiled it, but do you think I should just throw a new Fasco motor in for good measure?

Why? If its running fine and not making any odd noises? Then leave well enough alone. IMHO
 
Slows down the ash buildup on the blades.
 
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Slows down the ash buildup on the blades.

I did a comparison of the Dry Moly and Graphite Sprays. I am leaning towards the dry moly. What do you think?
 
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