Not as Warm as everyone else!!

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pduby

New Member
Oct 25, 2008
20
new england
Ok - maybe someone can shed some light here. Lopi Yankee Bay Insert installed this year, have had issues with air leaks, not installed correctly, leveling legs and now gasket - dealer has repaired all. Installed on first floor of 2300 ft cape, partially open but some walls on first floor. We're very aware of how each home/install/stove, etc is different but what we can't figure out is this: When this was first fired up in October the room the stove was in (14x16) would be well over 70, more often than not 78, so much we couldn't be in there! - of course warmer so the back rooms, upstairs would get the heat - no problem. We couldn't stand in front of it because it was TOO hot. Yes, I know the past few nights here in Maine it's been 15-20 outside, but this room WON'T get over 68, let alone upstairs which was 59.... 2 1/2 bags pellets last night.....on the highest setting and highest blower and it's NOT too hot to stand in front of it.... any ideas? would the ATHENS PELLETS be part of the problem? In october we had energex but - sighhhh - they are gone now.
 
Does it have an OAK installed?...and if so, does that have the little damper on it?...if so, is it completely opened? (handle inline with the pipe)
When you move the restrictor, do you see it actually make a difference in the flame?
Maybe go to Lowes/HD/Walmart and buy just 1 bag of a different brand pellet, try that?


Jim
 
moving the restrictor does have an effect on the flame - of course opening it all the way does produce the larger flame, but then the pellets jump out of the pot...but with the athens pellets it get the ashes out of the burn pot... OAK? outdoor air kit? it that what this is? the stove is a fireplace insert, with the vent going up the chimney....
 
While 2300 sq ft is a lot to try to heat with a pellet stove (IMO), the stove should certainly be fairly warm if you're going through 2.5 bags in a night... the house might not be warm, but the stove should be! In fact, if you're going through that many pellets that fast, that stove should be hot! I'd check the back of the stove to make sure everything is okay. You also might want to take some temp readings on the stove (although I know nothing about your stove or its design). If it checks out, try some other pellets. If both make no difference, I'd contact your dealer.
 
The pellets jump out of the pot, or the ambers jump out of the pot? With the stove set that high, I would expect to see a large flame ambers flying around.
 
nope, pellets - with the restrictor out (#5) all fully open too much air and the pellets are pushed out. Needless to say we don't keep it at #5. but the answer to the previous question is yes, the restrictor does work and effects the flame. We know the square footage is a lot and were under no illusions with the stove, it is rated for 2200 sq ft with I believe 45000 btu. We were hoping for 67 - 68 downstairs and 64-65 upstairs. It was doing this easily but within the past week it just doesn't seem to be burning hot (again, aware that outside temps are lower - but.....)
 
My guess, cut the intake air back. Just my opinion
 
One thing mentionted in the troubleshooting section is to CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN whenever you think you're having a problem...?

Jim
 
Like previous poster said- Clean, Clean , Clean. From everything I have read here, cleanliness is a 100% necessary requirement for a stove to perform optimally. If you have ash buildup on your heat exchangers, that will greatly reduce the amount of heat being output. Good luck.
 
LOL - cleaning isn't the problem - with the athens pellets and all the ash this is vacuumed and baffles, etc removed every other day. anyone with athens pellets KNOWS the pain!!! We'll see what tonight brings with heat. We have some pennington pellets from our inlaws to tryout and will put a post up.
 
Another one to add to the list of pellets to avoid-Athens
 
bungalobob said:
Another one to add to the list of pellets to avoid-Athens

Where are the pics of your install?
 
im burning the ashens in my nps, sitting in front of mine then going to my fathers house where he is burning NEWP, i can tell a difference in the heat output on the same stove.
 
Pic's to come soon, didn't want to jinx the first run next week. Plus, although the hearth is nearly complete, I have not put up the half wall panels and shelf above that. Was waiting to see where the pipes were gonna line up. Kinda looks pretty blah sitting there right now. A diamond in the rough as they say. But will post pics either way sometime next week, cause I know it don't count till the pic's are posted.
 
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