Looking for possible local installer of Kuuma Vapor Fire 100 in S Central WI.

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JRHAWK9

JRHAWK9

Minister of Fire
Jan 8, 2014
2,070
Wisconsin Dells, WI
I'm looking into the possibility of adding a Vapor Fire 100 to our existing forced air/LP gas system. Anybody have any recommendations of a decent installer? I will need a new flue, as our current chimney does not extend down to the basement and stops at our fireplace at the opposite end of the house. I have Top Hat of Baraboo coming out tomorrow to discuss options. They don't carry Kuuma though, so I don't know if they'd be willing to install it or not. Either way, I'd like to get various estimates before doing anything.

thanks in advance!

Paul in Wisconsin Dells, WI
 
Burner boys are th eonly guys I know down there. They do gassifiers and sold Eko gassers. I don't know anything about them except I called them several times for acvise and they gladly gave it to me.
 
thanks! I just called and left them a voicemail to give me a return call to discuss.

Anybody have anymore??
 
Top Hat has been around for more than 30 years, although I priced a pellet boiler through their Madison store and ended up going with a (much, much) cheaper proposal. There's a chimney service in Columbus called Daizy Sweeps that specializes in woodburners, but I have no information on them beyond that. Nobody has sued them, which is a plus ... ::P
 
Mr._Graybeard said:
Top Hat has been around for more than 30 years, although I priced a pellet boiler through their Madison store and ended up going with a (much, much) cheaper proposal. There's a chimney service in Columbus called Daizy Sweeps that specializes in woodburners, but I have no information on them beyond that. Nobody has sued them, which is a plus ... ::P
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yeah, I've heard they are NOT cheap which is why I want to get some other places lined up. I found Daizy Sweeps website and I'm not sure they install what they sell....?? They don't make any mention of installations. I give them a call though, it won't hurt. thanks!
 
Maybe you already know about these guys as well: Shields Fireside & Hearth in Baraboo and Kosak Chimney in Reedsburg. All I know about them is that they exist on the web, but at least they're nearby. Good luck!
 
Mr._Graybeard said:
Maybe you already know about these guys as well: Shields Fireside & Hearth in Baraboo and Kosak Chimney in Reedsburg. All I know about them is that they exist on the web, but at least they're nearby. Good luck!
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When I called Daizy Sweeps last night at 8:30pm someone actually answered the phone! I talked with him for a good 30 minutes. They do sell/install PSG. I mentioned Kuuma and he never heard of them but seemed intrigued enough to take down their name and also my name/phone number. He said he will be contacting Daryl today and doing some research on them. Sounds like they are worth considering. He mentioned they, generally, can do the install for what Top Hat charges for just the furnace.

I knew about Shields, but not Kosak. I will look into them.

thanks again!
 
JRHAWK9 said:
When I called Daizy Sweeps last night at 8:30pm someone actually answered the phone! I talked with him for a good 30 minutes. They do sell/install PSG. I mentioned Kuuma and he never heard of them but seemed intrigued enough to take down their name and also my name/phone number. He said he will be contacting Daryl today and doing some research on them. Sounds like they are worth considering. He mentioned they, generally, can do the install for what Top Hat charges for just the furnace.

I knew about Shields, but not Kosak. I will look into them.

thanks again!
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PSG or parent co SBI are a huge multi national co in Canada. They have 100's of units names and brands. Kuuma is factory direct small co in MN. I can see how he never heard of them. I think the web is there only advertising, not in stores or dealers.
 
Top Hat came out yesterday and looked things over. This is not going to be cheap! I'm going to want a certified NFI installer of the flue for sure, as I NEED to make sure it can pull a good draft and also for insurance purposes. I don't want to have insurance issues. We can either run the flue outside or inside, but the inside route will require boxing in of the TGI joists (they are at 12" O.C. and need to have certain clearances per code) and also boxing in of the flue when it runs up on the inside of the exterior wall on the gable end on both the main floor and up in the loft. This would be installed in a log home with very tall/steep ceilings and a loft.

I'm slightly concerned (as well as Top Hat) an outside flue will not be able to pull the draft required when having to start a fire. Plus seeing the VF100 has such low stack temperature I want to make sure I have sufficient draft.
 
JRHAWK9 said:
Top Hat came out yesterday and looked things over. This is not going to be cheap! I'm going to want a certified NFI installer of the flue for sure, as I NEED to make sure it can pull a good draft and also for insurance purposes. I don't want to have insurance issues. We can either run the flue outside or inside, but the inside route will require boxing in of the TGI joists (they are at 12" O.C. and need to have certain clearances per code) and also boxing in of the flue when it runs up on the inside of the exterior wall on the gable end on both the main floor and up in the loft. This would be installed in a log home with very tall/steep ceilings and a loft.

I'm slightly concerned (as well as Top Hat) an outside flue will not be able to pull the draft required when having to start a fire. Plus seeing the VF100 has such low stack temperature I want to make sure I have sufficient draft.
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Boxing it in will look better and help the draft but it's not needed. Also there won't be many cold starts anyhow, and when there is it will be warmer out.
 
I received one proposal for the installation. Running the flue inside is considerably cheaper than going on the outside.

I'm waiting on another proposal. These guys are able to run the flue up through the joists w/o having to "box out" the TGI joists, as they are 12" O.C.. The second place uses a different chimney system than Top Hat does and their support box they would install is tested and approved for a 10" opening allowing them to install it w/o any cutting of the joists, which is a huge plus. They use Excel brand chimneys, not sure what Top Hat uses.

I also asked for a quote for the second place to install the furnance. They don't do sheet metal work so I would have to find a place that does or they said they could subcontract that out.

The main reason why I'm having NFI certified installers do the work is for insurance purposes. I don't want the insurance company to get all bent out of shape when they find out I or some Joe Schmo installed it. I have already contacted the insurance and they told me as long as it is professionally installed there will be no problems.
 
JRHAWK9 said:
The main reason why I'm having NFI certified installers do the work is for insurance purposes. I don't want the insurance company to get all bent out of shape when they find out I or some Joe Schmo installed it. I have already contacted the insurance and they told me as long as it is professionally installed there will be no problems.
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That was my feeling too when I had my pellet boiler installed. Keep the insurers happy in case they ever have to pay out. Make sure they know what you're doing, and do it right.
 
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