Enviro Empress

I heard they had an overheating issue, so they fixed it and now the stove does not heat as well?
Here are some reviews
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...s/models/overview/enviro-empress-99023767.htm

Overall they are a good stove once you fix the issues.

That is what a lady I know who owned 2 of them told me. She owned an older one and then got a new one!
Here are more reviews
http://www.wiseheat.com/reviews/16371/Enviro-Empress

I have 2 Harmans and a Quadrafire.

Hello

The M55 is a much better unit. There are many happy forum members here with that unit.

whitetailscout said:

Interesting, I guess I just assumed the Empress was a smaller version of the M55, I didn't realize they had so many differences. I realize the M55 is more expensive, but the rebate on the M55 is $500, vs. $350 for the Empress, which helps even it out a little.

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The M55 is heavier built and is a true Multi-Fuel that can burn anything even crapy wood pellets with no problems!

Good question for one of our M55 owners, maybe one of them will pipe in soon or in a few days.
I installed an Ecobee SmartStat on one that can be controlled from a smartphone to bring up the temp before the customer wakes up or comes home from work. It is a super WiFi Stat.
See > > https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/enviro-ecobee-eb-stat-02-install-pics.125728/

whitetailscout said:

Hopefully sooner rather than later, this guy has a $500 deposit from me!

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Here is a good deal on a Free Standing one with no sales tax,
http://nh.craigslist.org/hsd/4484344069.html

whitetailscout said:

So, this may be a ridiculous question, but is it possible for the M55 to be TOO MUCH stove for the space I am trying to heat? I don't want to suffocate from the heat, I like it under 70 degrees, and this insert will be in the living room where we spend most of our time. I had a dealer tell me that the stoves occasionally like to run on high to burn off he crud, and that a big stove will have me opening windows. Is that just nonsense?

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I own an Enviro M55 FS. I do not know about the quality of any other brands, but I can say that it is built like a tank and is a quality item. I heat 2200 sq. ft. to ~73 downstairs and ~70 upstairs with the unit on setting one, the lowest setting. I could get the house to 100 on setting 5. The house style is an open foyer cape. I would suspect this stove would be overkill for 1200 sq. ft, but hey, you'll have the power if you want it.

whitetailscout said:

I just a deposit down on an Enviro Empress insert, and now I am having second thoughts. All I can find are terrible reviews of the stove. Does anyone have any info they care to share, before I have this thing installed?

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Been burning the EMPRESS FI since 2008. Stove is rock solid. Only replaced the igniter once and did so with a non OEM. Looked at the reviews on CR - and the people don't know what they are talking about. You do have to have some mechanical ability or stay away from a pellet stove. Cleaning, testing motors, adjusting draft, common sense, etc. and don't buy the cheapest pellet you find. The reviewer whose door makes noise only has to tighten the nut on the little round decorative handle and no vibration. Igniters go on all stoves. If the stove goes out your settings are off. I would say for your house size no problem. I have burned no oil and use the empress to heat the main part of my 2800sq.ft home.
About 700 sq ft of that is a separate den which I use a wood stove.
Do your research on this forumn. Forget CR or the web. This site tells it all,been reading it for years.

For what it's worth, you may recognize the stove in my avatar. Mine is about 6 years old now. After putting upgrades into it last year, the stove heats far, far better, is quieter, and remains reliable. With any stove you will need some mechanical ability, period. Some require more than others. I've not found this one to be anywhere past my ability.

Mine did an OK job of heating 2200 sf last year in weeks of record-low single-digit temperatures and 40+ knot winds, gusting past 70 knots. Ran it night and day only with a break for routine cleaning every other day, but did have to run the main heat about an hour every afternoon at sundown to help catch up. You will have no problem heating 1200 sf with this stove.

Agree with Phil: Consumer Reports is useless.

X3 on what these guys are saying. Whitetail, you are getting a quality stove. I've had my two Enviros since 2008, I have worked on many different brands, cleaned many different brands, Enviro ranks up there with the best. I've read all these reviews, half are simply folks who got bad advice, or had no one to provide proper service for their stove. Buy good quality pellets, 3/4 of all problems would go away. My Empress is 6 years old, still all original parts except I did upgrade the exhaust blower to the EF161A, its an upgraded motor, I didn't notice any difference, I run mine on 2 or 3 heat level all the time. There are a bunch of Empress owners on here too, for help.

whitetailscout said:

Thanks for the reassurances guys, it is appreciated. I think I have heard so many good things about Harman, that I am nervous about anything else. The good feedback is helpful. It really sounds like the Empress will fit my needs well.

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Speaking of Harman
Check this out. A nice P43 should be good for your space too, if you like a stove that is easier to clean and you do not have to clean as often.
http://www.woodpelletreview.org/p/harman-p-series.html

whitetailscout said:

Unfortunately the harman pellet stoves are not on the EPA approved list. The voucher that I have stipulates that I get a stove that is EPA approved.

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Yes, too bad. :-(

You could purchase the Enviro and then sell it new on craigslist and then buy the Harman P43. Problem Solved.

whitetailscout said:

I need an insert. Had my eye on the p35i. Is there really much difference between Harman and Enviro?

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Enviro is a top feeder and Harman is a bottom feeder. Bottom feeders are alot less taxing on the auger and the auger motor.
Harmans have an Enormous permenantly sealed auger bearing. Enviro's have an oilite brass auger bearing that shoud be clean and lubed every year or two.

I just did a mod on an Enviro EF-3 to upgrade the brass bearing to Nylatron. That makes a big difference!
See more pics > > https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...s-enviro-auger-motor-out.128191/#post-1727332

Pic 1 - Rusted Enviro Auger and brass bearing (See ripped brass bearing on right end that failed)
Pic 2 - Two Harman Augers with Large Sealed bearings. (See enormous sealed bearing on left end that hardly ever fails!)