Tale of Two Pellet Stoves - Need some advice

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army301

New Member
Oct 28, 2011
2
Westchester, NY


This fall I installed two Harman P38 stoves with manual ignition. They are direct vented straight out through the wall. One is in our master bedroom (approx 400 square feet), and the other is in living room/dining room area (approx 800 square feet). From the start, the bedroom stove has taken a long time to get going when I ignite, and sometimes I have to try to start it more than once. It gives off moderate heat, but the flame always seemed kind of low. I'm new to pellet stoves, so I didn't really know what to expect. But when I ignited the stove in the living room/dining room, it started very easily (didn't do anything differently), and the flames were much higher, and it gave off much more heat (room would be at least 2-3 degrees warmer with same pellet and same setting). Based on what I described, does it seem like something is wrong with the bedroom stove? Any recommendations? Would appreciate any replies. Very helpful site here for us newbies.

Thanks
Steve
 
army301 said:


This fall I installed two Harman P38 stoves with manual ignition. They are direct vented straight out through the wall. One is in our master bedroom (approx 400 square feet), and the other is in living room/dining room area (approx 800 square feet). From the start, the bedroom stove has taken a long time to get going when I ignite, and sometimes I have to try to start it more than once. It gives off moderate heat, but the flame always seemed kind of low. I'm new to pellet stoves, so I didn't really know what to expect. But when I ignited the stove in the living room/dining room, it started very easily (didn't do anything differently), and the flames were much higher, and it gave off much more heat (room would be at least 2-3 degrees warmer with same pellet and same setting). Based on what I described, does it seem like something is wrong with the bedroom stove? Any recommendations? Would appreciate any replies. Very helpful site here for us newbies.

Thanks
Steve
Click to expand...

Uh-oh, the fun police are on yer trail.
 
Im not familar wit you stove but please for your famlies saftey install a carbon monoxide detector in the bedroom. If something were to go wrong the occupants may never wake from their sleep. Best of luck and im sure someone will help you soon with your original question.
 
It sounds like you need to look at the air intake to see that enough air is getting in.

Is there a switch that changes the blower speed on that model?
 
page 5 of the install manual and also on the label on back of stove it will state that in mobile homes and manufactured homes do not install in a bedroom. you may say that your home is neither so it is okay. but does it not raise flags as to why they do not allow it?
actually they put a photo eye in their stoves and if it sees that it is located in a bedroom it will not function properly.
 
The manual also tells you to contact local code enforcement for information on local codes.

Are you using an OAK and in particular the Harman Pass Through?

It is possible that you aren't getting enough draft due to blockage in the air intake. Packing material has been known to just sprout legs and wander into the intake, it is also possible that the flapper isn't moving freely.

Are you running stove or room temp, where is your feed set and if in room temp where is the probe?
 
dingees said:
page 5 of the install manual and also on the label on back of stove it will state that in mobile homes and manufactured homes do not install in a bedroom. you may say that your home is neither so it is okay. but does it not raise flags as to why they do not allow it?
actually they put a photo eye in their stoves and if it sees that it is located in a bedroom it will not function properly.
Click to expand...

I thought the photo eye was just for posting pics on the internet. :)

Mobile home and manufactured homes are usually tighter and therefore you need to be careful of airflow.
 
Anyhow,
Are you running stove or room temp, where is your feed set and if in room temp where is the probe?
Click to expand...
I would check the air intake flap is free and opening. P38 is a manual control stove, no room temp unless thermostat installed. Do you have an outside air kit installed? Check all venting in and out to be sure all clear. I have a P38, and thats all I can think off for now. CO detectors and surge protectors are the norm.
 
Doesnt matter if its a mobile home (manufactured home) or not. Pellet stoves/Wood stoves are a No No in the bedroom.

Please check local code and contact insurance company. If in the event something were to happen (God Forbid) your Ins Co. may not pay. Especially if they didnt know of the installations of your stoves. Any stove install, you should contact local zoning inspectors (if you have them) and your insurance company should be notified. So they can come measure and take pics.

If you have already took all the proper avenues, then a Harman owners will assist you shortly.
 
Hmm...I put the stove in the bedroom because that was where was the previous owner put it. I'm surprised the pellet guys who delivered the stoves didn't say anything if this was an issue - they put the stove in the room.

The problem with my house is that is single level ranch (no basement), and 2800 sq ft, so it's a long way for heat to travel. I'll check into code issues, and see what I should do next. I do have outside air, if that helps.
 
Having been a Westchester Cty. resident for MANY, MANY years before moving to Orange Cty., I cannot imagine that a bedroom install is allowed per code.

And besides, aren't you afraid of what a small leak will do? You have heard of carbon monoxide poisoning, right? You are taking SOME chance with your lives. :roll:
 
army301 said:
Hmm...I put the stove in the bedroom because that was where was the previous owner put it. I'm surprised the pellet guys who delivered the stoves didn't say anything if this was an issue - they put the stove in the room.

The problem with my house is that is single level ranch (no basement), and 2800 sq ft, so it's a long way for heat to travel. I'll check into code issues, and see what I should do next. I do have outside air, if that helps.
Click to expand...

I have a 2,200 sq ft Ranch. That until this Winter was heated Exclusively with the Quadrafire CB 1200. House is 70 ft long and the stove is located in the middle of the house. Its around 47,000 BTU's.

So your 2 P-38's are a combined 72,000 BTU's. If you put one one one side of the house and the other at the other end (or even mid-point) you should be able to heat your entire home quite nicely. IMHO. No need for a bedroom install. The previous owners may have not been up to snuff on code.

Has you Insurance company seen this?
 
imacman said:
Having been a Westchester Cty. resident for MANY, MANY years before moving to Orange Cty., I cannot imagine that a bedroom install is allowed per code.

And besides, aren't you afraid of what a small leak will do? You have heard of carbon monoxide poisoning, right? You are taking SOME chance with your lives. :roll:
Click to expand...

I can't imagine a carbon monoxide leak would be a good thing no matter what room the stove is located. After all plenty of people fall asleep on their couch in the living room right near their stove.
 
DexterDay said:
army301 said:
Hmm...I put the stove in the bedroom because that was where was the previous owner put it. I'm surprised the pellet guys who delivered the stoves didn't say anything if this was an issue - they put the stove in the room.

The problem with my house is that is single level ranch (no basement), and 2800 sq ft, so it's a long way for heat to travel. I'll check into code issues, and see what I should do next. I do have outside air, if that helps.
Click to expand...

I have a 2,200 sq ft Ranch. That until this Winter was heated Exclusively with the Quadrafire CB 1200. House is 70 ft long and the stove is located in the middle of the house. Its around 47,000 BTU's.

So your 2 P-38's are a combined 72,000 BTU's. If you put one one one side of the house and the other at the other end (or even mid-point) you should be able to heat your entire home quite nicely. IMHO. No need for a bedroom install. The previous owners may have not been up to snuff on code.



Has you Insurance company seen this?
Click to expand...

Hey Dex...you asked him this 3 times in three posts in 2.5 hours.....I agree with your concerns but......
 
thruthly there is no photo eye. but some stoves do have one to see the flame to keep it going ie.Whitfield/lennox)
may be due to low draft setting ,The installer if they are legit should have a draft gauge/magnihelix as Harman requires a draft test to set the draft for the stove for each install. The plate covering the combustion fan blades ,in behind the ash drawer may be out of place, the cleanout plate under the burn pot may be loose , someones underware may be blocking the air intake.
 
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