I have had a Mount Vernon AE Pellet Stove for about 4 years now. Every year I have multiple problems. The dealer has replaced the convection blower, igniter (twice), the auger, baffle and a few other parts. Every time there is an issue they have been right over to fix. The biggest problem is that periodically smoke pours into the house. Every year it happens with more frequency. It always happens during shutdown and the blower stops and then smoke pours out from the vents on the top and through the sides. The dealer has no idea why this is happening. We got Hearth & Home involved and after much prodding, they are sending a tech out this week to look at it. The dealer is basically washing their hands of the problem saying that they got me in touch with the manufacturer and that is all they can do. If Hearth & Home cant find a fix and this is just a bad unit which seems to happen often. What is the appropriate means of recourse ? Do I hold the dealer accountable who has known about this problem for years or the manufacturer ? Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Mount Vernon AE Insert Smoking
- Thread starter sruments
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SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
sruments said:
Please tell us about how the stove is vented, we need to know every piece in the vent system starting at the stove and its diameter, the length and orientation of each straight piece of vent, and the types and orientation of each elbow and clean out tee.
Also the floor of the house the stove is in and how many stories the house is along with any other burning device or venting fan in the house.
It sounds like the issue is one of two possible things, a sensor is indicting the stove has achieved shut down when it hasn't or there is no natural draft in the vent system.
If the stove is properly vented (install issue) and the venting kept clean (user issue) this shouldn't happen. Even in the case of a bad sensor etc a natural draft will stop the smoke issue provided the venting is kept clean.
If other air moving devices are causing this problem the stove needs to have an outside air kit (OAK) installed.
As complicated as the Mt Vernon is, the dealers should have to go thru a in depth training to know these units inside and out. Does HHT offer a training couse for these units? There are alot of these unitsout there that are out of warranty now and parts are expensive to just change out "and see if that works". There are some Mt Vernon gurus on here that should be able to help you out.
John97
Feeling the Heat
Here's hoping they find some sort of manufacturing defect, a crack in a casting, a bad weld, or something else that means you get a new stove.
I hope that whoever HHT sends out gets to the bottom of it, regardless.
I hope that whoever HHT sends out gets to the bottom of it, regardless.
I agree with the man from Maine, you have a bad sensor that is shutting the combustion fan to soon. Take the mans advice, he knows his stuff
kilbury
Balls of fire
Yes, they do have training. A lot of it can be done through a dealer website and they also do different trainings across the country. Many retailers won't invest the time and money to send there techs out to these things or many are not into just the stove business and don't alot time for training. These "fly by nighters" are what gives the hearth industry a bad name. And remember a few years ago when every Joe Schmoe ran out and got a pellet stove, well alot of people also thought they should open up a "stove store". How many of those guys are still out there!rickwai said:
Thanks for all the advice. The tech from H&H comes tomorrow and this will help me ask the right questions. I'll let you know what they find.
The tech from H&H came and did some tests on the unit. Did a negative pressure test on the house and wound up replacing the firepot, vacuum switch, control panel, wall unit and thermocouple. We will see if that does the trick. He and the rep from H&H were very nice and knowledgeable.
John97
Feeling the Heat
SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
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