Regency Richmond (F5100)

[Auzzie Gumtree]

Just got word that Regency have brought in the hybrid stove into Australia. Its currently $3800 which for this type of stove is not badly priced for Aus. I had a look at the showroom but they didn't have one in operation but it does look impressive, does anyone run the F5100? can't find many reviews.

Also they had a sticker on the front stating you can only burn hardwood. I have noticed this on a lot of Aussie stoves so i contacted Regency head office and had an interesting conversation with them and the sticker means that this unit has been through Australian standards and that to meet their standards it only used hardwood's and so it is only conforming when hardwood is used.

He also mentioned that the flue will be reduced to 7" by means of a 8" to 7" reducer straight from the unit top. I thought this could be a problem and reduce burn time.

He has put me onto a stove shop who has done some trials with the unit - they ran it for 24 hours without touching it and have some results for me. i will contact them soon.

 

[webby3650]

Are Blaze King stoves available there?
Regency makes a fine stove, but this Hybrid? They copied BKs bypass pretty closely, except for a few fatal flaws.

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

as far as i am aware this is the only catalytic stove in Australia - there are a few ovens (Esse) but this is the only stove. The salesman i spoke to in the shop was next to useless i had to get all my info from Regency direct. My current stove has a massive output 35Kw (3 cubic feet firebox) this has a larger firebox but a lower output. this can only be linked to the very high burn times which are quoted as 30 hours? mine struggles with 9 hours.

 

[webby3650]

Don't be fooled by these long burn times that are claimed.
I had a Lopi Cape Cod for a while, and it didn't have much longer burn times than a non-cat. These hybrids aren't cat stoves, they should be looked at more like a non-cat with a cat to act as a scrubber to clean up the leftovers. I've heard these stoves Don't get near the published burn times. And I suspect they have a fatal flaw in the bypass/cat design.

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

And I suspect they have a fatal flaw in the bypass/cat design.

From what i have read they were re-designed (maybe due to the bypass?) and they were actually upgraded to 30 hour burn time. I am going to talk to an actual burner who has used it this winter and see what he thinks of it. I am after something which can burn for 12 hours with a decent heat output for the full 12 hours. Not too much to ask?

I have also noticed they are importing the Alderlea T6 - a little cheaper but i wasn't as impressed with that stove. i dont think it would be much better than mine.

 

[PeterT]

Hey Aussie, I am in OZ also and I would recommend you check out the certified appliances at www.homeheat.com.au/certified.php . Unfortunately Regency has elected not to have their performance tests published so that should be an initial warning that maybe their stoves are either not compliant with the current standard or that these r stoves might not comply with the new standards that are just about to be ratified and released.

I would recommend that you look for a stove that exceeds 65% efficency and emissions below 1.5gm/kg as this what stoves beyond 2019 will need to comply to. The Lopi Cape Cod exceeds the standard but it has just been released and it is pricy. The T6 also exceeds the new upper standard so it might be worth reconsidering the T6 if it is more in your price bracket. However, with this said, there a many stoves listed that exceed the new upper standard but there might be trade offs in terms of longer burn times or other features. Hope this helps. PT

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

Hi where in auz are you? Having looked at the regency further I think its a no go. Especially with the 8 inch flue. I will keep looking and researching.​

 

[PeterT]

Hi where in auz are you? Having looked at the regency further I think its a no go. Especially with the 8 inch flue. I will keep looking and researching.​

G'day Auzzie, I am located in Canberra so with temps averaging around 10 deg C and below and with a large open plan house I too am looking for a stove that will cut the mustard not only for efficency/emissions but long burn times also. I read a very comprehensive review about the Alderlea T6 by Begreen on the forum here and I would recommend you search for and read it if you haven't already. Some of the Blaze King models might have been worthy of consideration also but they are not currently available here in Oz.

 

[PeterT]

G'day Auzzie, I am located in Canberra so with temps averaging around 10 deg C and below and with a large open plan house I too am looking for a stove that will cut the mustard not only for efficency/emissions but long burn times also. I read a very comprehensive review about the Alderlea T6 by Begreen on the forum here and I would recommend you search for and read it if you haven't already. Some of the Blaze King models might have been worthy of consideration also but they are not currently available here in Oz.

Auzzie. Further to my last, I have just undertaken search of the F5100 here in Oz and according to the Aussie brochure it would appear it has an efficency of 74% and emissions of 1.4gm/kg. I would have to say that these figures are pretty good for a stove of this size and capacity. The only current contender in OZ at the moment would be the Lopi Cape Cod (with an efficency of 83% & emissions of 1.3gm/kg). However, the CC it is quite a bit more expensive and doesn't come with as long a warranty or the supposed burn times of the F5100. Hope this helps. PT.

 

[begreen]

The T6 is a very flexible heater. It works well with partial loads for mild weather burning, yet is quite capable of putting out high heat when it is cold outside. It burns softwood and hardwood equally well.

But why buy a stove from the states when there are many stoves made in Australia and New Zealand? The Kent Barker II Wood Fire for example looks like a fairly serious heater.

 

[PeterT]

Thanks Begreen. There is no doubt there are some good Aussie and NZ heaters but many still don't have the efficency and emission rates as some of the North American appliances. Indeed, if you access the link I provided in an earlier post you will see that Kent heaters overall don't rate overly well. In OZ, it is generally accepted that a 10% improvement in efficiency will lead to about one ton less of wood to burn in the season. With some North American stoves exceeding 80% efficency (as measured by the Aussie/NZ standards) and a cost per ton of wood being approximately $250/ton then overall running costs over the life of the stove selected could be significant. This is why we Aussies are looking further afield. PT

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

But why buy a stove from the states when there are many stoves made in Australia and New Zealand?

Also on this - they are importing and selling these stoves here in Australia. I currently have 2 stoves - both fairly new. One is the country hearth (made in China designed in America) and a Nectre Mega (designed and Made in Australia) the difference is significant. The heat out put and efficiency of the Country hearth stove are far superior. The good thing about the Mega is that it heats up the whole house and can last upto 10 hours. Very easy to use - fill it up get it hot turn it down repeat. it is very wood hungry and i can tell by the smoke still coming out of the chimney that it is inefficient at burning the wood it does use.

I also looked at the Ideal Steel - but i would have to bring it over from USA and i put that in the too hard basket. If I didn't have the 6" flue already installed i would have been very tempted to buy the Regency Richmond (5100.) Pricing isn't that bad it has a starting price of $3849 but i am sure a bit of hard negotiating this can be brought down to less than $3500. How does this compare to the USA version? i did find one at http://www.fireplace-energysavingproducts.com/Hot-Deals.html - for $2695 which seems cheap.

I am still waiting for a full review of a demo unit used in North Victoria (Australia) this winter. The long Burn times and the high efficiency are mighty tempting although there are little reviews i can find.

So i suggest PeterT you buy this unit and then let me know what you think

 

[PeterT]

Also on this - they are importing and selling these stoves here in Australia. I currently have 2 stoves - both fairly new. One is the country hearth (made in China designed in America) and a Nectre Mega (designed and Made in Australia) the difference is significant. The heat out put and efficiency of the Country hearth stove are far superior. The good thing about the Mega is that it heats up the whole house and can last upto 10 hours. Very easy to use - fill it up get it hot turn it down repeat. it is very wood hungry and i can tell by the smoke still coming out of the chimney that it is inefficient at burning the wood it does use.

I also looked at the Ideal Steel - but i would have to bring it over from USA and i put that in the too hard basket. If I didn't have the 6" flue already installed i would have been very tempted to buy the Regency Richmond (5100.) Pricing isn't that bad it has a starting price of $3849 but i am sure a bit of hard negotiating this can be brought down to less than $3500. How does this compare to the USA version? i did find one at http://www.fireplace-energysavingproducts.com/Hot-Deals.html - for $2695 which seems cheap.

I am still waiting for a full review of a demo unit used in North Victoria (Australia) this winter. The long Burn times and the high efficiency are mighty tempting although there are little reviews i can find.

So i suggest PeterT you buy this unit and then let me know what you think

G'day Aussie. I too looked at both of the stoves you have mentioned. The Country Hearth rates as a good stove but on inspection I found the baffle in the 3000 to be defective. I advised both the US Stove Company and Masters Australia (a member of the Lowes Group) of this fact and they were going to investigate. I don't believe the baffle problem would be present in the 2000 model but I didn't check. The problem with the 3000 was that the baffle was in 2 separate pieces but it should have been one single board. I would have to say that I thought the baffle was a little average and so was their warranty.

Anyway, I have also considered the Nectre Mega primarily because it has the option of having a boiler/central heating boiler fitted. However, Nectre have advised me directly that they are unlikely to test this unit to determine it's emissions and efficiency until sometime next year. I suspect it would need a bit of work in order to comply and my impressions seem to be supported by your comments above.

From my research, and given the current units that are available in Oz at the moment, probably the best stove for compliance and price so far is the Heatilator Eco-Choice WS22, which has only just been released in Oz but has an efficiency of 84% and an emissions rate of 1.2g/kg (the smaller WS18 is even more impressive with an efficiency of 86% and emissions of 1.4%). This is pretty impressive for a stove that does not have a catalyst and at price of approximately $A2200 it is nearly half the cost of the catalyst enabled Lopi Cape Cod (rated at 83% and 1.3g). I know www.PivotStove.com.au in your location has them on display so look them up if you are interested.

In regards to you possibly importing a stove, well you would run into all sorts of regulatory and legal issues and it may present a problem for insurance also. There is no doubt that the Ideal Steel and some of the other stoves from the WoodStove Soapstone company are impressive but they currently don't have a UL for the stoves in Australia at the moment and so that may present further problems on the insurance front. I hope this helps ... PT

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

The problem with the 3000 was that the baffle was in 2 separate pieces

Funny you should mention that - when i was looking for mine i noticed the baffle in 2 parts and i mentioned it to the masters manager but he was very blahzay but the 2000 model is a one piece.

Eco-Choice WS22

Wow - that is an impressive looking stove. I am 5 mins from pivot so i will be popping round i could get most of that back by selling the Mega if i do it before the end of Winter.

 

[PeterT]

Funny you should mention that - when i was looking for mine i noticed the baffle in 2 parts and i mentioned it to the masters manager but he was very blahzay but the 2000 model is a one piece.



Wow - that is an impressive looking stove. I am 5 mins from pivot so i will be popping round i could get most of that back by selling the Mega if i do it before the end of Winter.

G'day Aussie. Glad to hear that the Heatilator might be a go for you and that your Country Hearth 2000 baffle board is a single unit. I would be rather suspect about the 3000 maintaining its compliance if a field test was ever undertaken, as one would think that any separation in the 2 piece board would surely have some detrimental effect on its rated efficiency / emissions.

Further to my comments regarding the Heatilator, whilst it comes with a 10 year warranty I get the impression from speaking to some in the know that it is probably not quite the build spec of the Lopi Cape Cod or other higher end offerings such as the Quadrafires etc. However, I may stand corrected here as I have not personally seen one in the flesh. The local retailer here has advised me that they are unlikely to stock it this season. If you get the chance have a chat to Greg Parker-Hill who is the owner of Pivot and who is very knowledgeable on all things wood.

The other consideration I need to make is whether I can effectively drive a flue boiler with the stove I finally decide upon. Whilst I am looking for high efficiency to drive down the operating cost (i.e. the outright cost of fuel and the effort to refuel) I would need a high enough flue temp in order for the boiler to do its job properly. I suspect I might not be able to have it both ways as any increase in flue temperature would in all probably be directly proportional to a net reduction in efficiency. I am not sure if anyone has ever really analysed this in any great detail (scientifically) but I would certainly be interested to hear of any research / test reports if they exist.

Cheers

PT

PS I have uploaded the WS22 install/user manual for you also.

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

How much are trying to heat with the flue boiler? I was looking into building my own house which didn't eventuate but whilst doing my research I was looking at a wood heater to run either under floor heating or radiators. The only model I could find that had the capacity was the Mega. I think it was a 20kw. To run the domestic hot water you need approx 5kw.

I also looked at a company which retro fitted a heat exchange unit onto the flue and set it up like ducted heating. This was impressive but very expensive about 3500 for 8 ducts.

A lot of the heaters from nz have water jackets or the provision for one.

Is the heatilator part of the quadfire range just a cheaper version like a lite version without all the bells and whistle's?

 

[PeterT]

G'day Aussie. I only need the flue boiler to provide a boost to an open vented solar hot water system. The reason I am looking at a flue boiler in isolation to a stove fitted with a wetback is that a WB can and does reduce the efficency/emissions rating of the stove. My thinking is that if I can obtain a higher efficency stove and extract a little extra heat out of the flue to cover the boost in winter then I am getting more bang for my buck in the long run.

The Heatilator is a product offering (as is Quadrafire) of the Hearth &. Home Technology group. I believe that its development was independent of the group and its design appears quite simple by comparison to Quadrafire's quadburn system and other bells and whistles.

I

 

[PeterT]

G'day Aussie Gumtree and all,

I found this YouTube video on the Regency F5100 that might be of interest. Unfortunately, the video poster does not give any details about performance other than when he last loaded it (3pm the day before) and the time he is loading it as he speaks (i.e. 7am). Not sure where he is located but he mentions "cord wood" so I am guessing North America. You might also notice that he is running with what appears to be an 8" flue, which is what is recommended in the US. Regency Australia has advised that a 7" flue is also acceptable (using an 8" to 7" reducer) given the hardwoods we burn (i.e. a little more draft is not detrimental). My thinking is that I would stick to 8" so as to reduce the rate of exhaust through the cat combustor to get more bang for my buck with hopefully much extended burn times than advertised using our Australian high density hardwoods.

Anyway, here's the link ....


I hope this helps

PeterT

 

[goldencoults]

Don't be fooled by these long burn times that are claimed...
...And I suspect they have a fatal flaw in the bypass/cat design.

Can you be a bit more specific? You made this comment twice about the Regency 5100 having a fatal flaw..
What exactly are you saying?

 

[webby3650]

On The first generation the bypass hinged at the back, which forced flames directly at the back of the catalyst. They've since redesigned this. What they haven't redesigned is the very poor burn times compared to the advertisement. Most all of the reported burn times have been less than stellar... Why spend all the money when you could just get the Blaze King that Regency copied? BKs easily get and exceed the published burn times!

 

[begreen]

Are BK stoves sold in Australia?

 

[webby3650]

Are BK stoves sold in Australia?

I'm not sure, I think I remember BKVP saying he went there at some point. Maybe New Zealand? Can't remember.

 

[goldencoults]

On Why spend all the money when you could just get the Blaze King that Regency copied? BKs easily get and exceed the published burn times!

Yeah here lies the problem for me and anyone else in Australia who is interested in a catalytic wood heater.
BK is not available here and I can't find any other catalytic heaters in Aus at all accept for the Regency models and no one seems to rate them highly on this forum (which btw is an excellent resource).
If anyone out there knows of any other modern catalytic wood heaters in Australia please post about them.

cheers

 

[begreen]

Regency responded quickly to user and dealer input about problems with their early cat stove and insert designs. Since then users seem to be pleased with their hybrid cats. Note the change in tone in this long thread for instance.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-ci2600-fireplace-insert-risky-costly.132252/

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

There are other stoves - Lopi do a very good one but at $6399 - its expensive, very expensive.......

http://www.lopi.com.au/wood/cape-cod.html

I'm still thinking of the regency - the big one with the 8" flue. Did you talk to anybody from Pivot Stoves? or Regency themselves - they had a demo unit at one of their dealers and you can get in touch with them for real working data.