Hearthstone owners....need advice for newbie

Been reading a lot on this site for few weeks now. I have pretty much decided on buying a Hearthstone Heritage or Phoenix, based on my sq. footage with vaulted ceilings and a drafty room. For those of you who have these models, are the flimsy hinges and handles a deal breaker?

Also, I contacted the company and a rep told me that the new Heritage does not require a R-value for a hearth pad due to the increased length of its legs. When building my pad, I am toying with building a raised pad. Is it still a good idea to add some Micore and shoot for some decent thermal protection just to be on the safe side, esp, when dealing with insurance companies and building code regulations.

Also....have any Heritage owners burned Eco-bricks and /or Kiln- dried wood successfully without over-firing their stove.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Dom

Oh...one more point of interest, I have heard that Heritage owners sometimes have trouble with an up draft. How beneficial is adding a flue damper?? I am also considering adding a Vacu-Stack to prevent any down drafts on windy days...especially since I have a drafty house.

Thanks.

D

I have a small ranch...bedrooms in back of house, and a great living/dining room that wraps into the kitchen towards the front of the house. The area I will be heating is approximately 1200 sq. ft. but with 10 ft vaulted ceilings with skylights in the kitchen and dining room.

The hearthstone rep. told me that I have to add a 1.5 to 1.75 multiplier to my sq. footage due to the vaulted ceilings, since hearthstone is based on 8 ft. Ceilings.

Correction...I should have been more clear.....its actually 12 ft in the center section, and 10 ft. on both sides that incorporate the pitch in the roof. Sorry.

I actually have an installer/surveyor from a local fireplace store coming by in 2 weeks, to assess my living area, look for any outdoor obstructions, and the best place to install the stove.

I just want to see if he is going to recommend the next larger stove over the Heritage, which I believe is the Mansfield. I want to get some of the guys opinions here beforehand, just to make sure that he is not being a sales man and trying to get me to spend more $$$ than I need to.

Dom

Shoot-straight.....thanks for your info, as well as everyone else. I have read that the dealer who you buy from and does your install is a HUGE factor when buying a stove. For the few who are local in my area, plus the few who are further away, a lot of them sell the Hearthstone. Sofar I have heard good reviews from this dealer, which is why I am leaning toward the Hearthstone.

The Woodstock line do seem really good, and I have to say, I have read fewer complaints about them verses the Hearthstones. If the dealer didn't play a factor into the equation, I would probably go with the Woodstock. Unfortunately I don't know of too many places that will install a stove that they don't endorse and sell...I guess that is where they make a portion of their profit.

As far as I know, there is no one in The NJ area that has a Woodstock stove that could give me their advice. I may throw out a separate post and inquire about this.

Warm-N-NH... Thanks for your input as well. I have heard from numerous Hearthstone owners that the ash pan area can develop leaks. I have already planned on almost never opening that door and just use a shovel/ vaccuum. I know that sounds stupid, but it is what it is.

Thanks

Dom