I've pretty much narrowed down my choice to this stove, after briefly flirting with a VC Aspen. I've definitely caught the bug after installing my insert--getting giddy about putting something in here. A new one is $900 here, while I could get a pre-EPA one probably for $150-200.
1. how much of an efficiency hit is there with the older stoves? Looks like from reading on here that even the old ones were pretty clean burning.
1a. Is it worth paying the premium for a brand new/glass door/EPA stove?
2. Looks like if i buy used I need to look carefully for cracks, and check the interior heat shields. Since I've never seen one of these in person, I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for. Will a cracked stove/heat shield be pretty obvious?
1. how much of an efficiency hit is there with the older stoves? Looks like from reading on here that even the old ones were pretty clean burning.
1a. Is it worth paying the premium for a brand new/glass door/EPA stove?
2. Looks like if i buy used I need to look carefully for cracks, and check the interior heat shields. Since I've never seen one of these in person, I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for. Will a cracked stove/heat shield be pretty obvious?