FPX Elite 44 or a Montecito Estate

kuhar said:

I need to pull the trigger within a month on either a FPX Elite 44 or a Montecito Estate...The FPX 44 is slightly cheaper and supposedly heats a bit better than the Lennox but the Lennox is non-cat and better warranty.

Any other opinions on this? I am really having a hard time deciding.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

1st off, don't make ur decision based on cat vs. Non-cat- that's one thing that i've heard repeatedly on these forums. 2nd, i'd choose the fpx. They are excellent units, & man do they throw out the heat! They are built like tanks. The main disadvantage i see w/ the fpx's (excluding that new version of the 36), is all the extra ducting & what not that their posi-pressure system requires. Also, i think the fpx-44 has a larger firebox than the lennox if i remember corectly. You might also try looking around the forums for members that own either of the models you're concidering & ask them about their experience w/ which ever fireplace model they have.

We like our Montecito Estate. One consideration of the Cat and Non-cat (Montecito is non-cat), is the ongoing expense and hassle of replacing the catalytic converters for the cat type stoves. That can add up to a significant ongoing expense, albeit it takes a number of years. If you are prepared for it, and don't mind doing it, then no problem. If you are NOT going to burn 24/7, but less often, then I still myself would worry about cold air intrusion with the FPX given all the ducting and air-cooled chimney. FPX "posi-pressure" system designed to work WHEN it is burning. If you will burn 24/7 then FPX seems ok. But when no fire, then no posi-pressure to keep out cold air from all the ducting and air-cooled chimney. Is N.E. Pennsylvania cold a lot?

Both units look beautiful with their arches, both are large fireboxes, and both will give significant heat.

I'd go with the FPX44. I sold them for year's and have had a lot of positive feedback from customers. Travis is a great company, too. (parent company, also manufactures Lopi and Avalon)

I have the FPX 44. Net - I love it. I have heated the home for 3 seasons with it.... the oil furnance is just for DHW now and emergency back up heat. Until this post I had not heard of the Montecito Estate so I dont have an opinion there.

With any unit there are pro's and con's... off the top of my head here are some:
Pro's: looks awesome, large firebox, POS system really works well (I have no issues with drawing cold air in as has been an issue raised on these units) circulating the heat through the house and effectively sealing off any drafty spots. Kicks out the heat (2200 sq foot easily heated with it).
Con's: Its a hungry beast eating a lot of wood (in 3 winters I have used between 5-6 cords each season). The burn times fall short of advertised lengths

kuhar said:

I need to pull the trigger within a month on either a FPX Elite 44 or a Montecito Estate...The FPX 44 is slightly cheaper and supposedly heats a bit better than the Lennox but the Lennox is non-cat and better warranty.

Any other opinions on this? I am really having a hard time deciding.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I have installed and sold both units. The FPX is a little cheaper, but the chimney is air cooled and is not UL103HT approved,It uses the standard fireplace chimney that you would use on a cheap builder box.
The lennox unit uses a class A chimney that is UL103HT listed. This alone keeps flue gas a lot hotter= a cleaner chimney.
The lennox also does not use outside air to keep the firebox chamber cool. IMO the Lennox system is a much simpler system with less things to go wrong down the road. Plus the glass stays cleaner then a FPX.

We sell Travis, I like the Elites. I don't like the cheap chimney they use. It's like buying a ferrari, and then putting generic tires on it.

I'm no expert .... first I heard of a "cheap" chimney for FPX. I couldnt tell you much about the quality of the one installed on my FPX. It sure seemed just fine and clearly an upgrade over the one I ripped out. In the 3 seasons I have burned wood in it I have not had even a coffee can amount of creasolt after sweeping - cant imagine a chimney being "cleaner" and if it is is it worth paying more for? Again, I'm no expert just sharing experience.

As I posted earlier, it works great and looks even better.

here is a link to a couple pictures of our FPX posted around xmas time:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/66964/

The chimney for a FPX Elite is rated to fireplace standards 1500 degree (can't remember the UL #) . The Lennox can use Security GX type class A chimney that is rated for up to 2100 degrees UL103HT. Lifetime Warranty on the pipe. You make the call they are both good units and either one would serve you well. The Lennox is a simpler system that it does not do the Posi Pesssure but also doesn't have a fan box attached to the side of your house either. Plus it works well when the power is out.

when I was looking I checked out the FPX Elite 44... it is an awesome unit. I cannot imagine anyone not liking it.

It is a beast. has a huge firebox. makes my 3.4 cubic ft look puny.

I just installed a Montecito Estate yesterday, my back is still sore. Sold lots of them and no complaints yet. The chimney is not 1" but 2" thick also which keeps the chimney warmer. Can't say anything about the other unit other than they make good stuff.
Your chimney will be just fine as long as you don't get a chimney fire in it.

Gary