Newb and the standard "What Stove"

[Nevada]

Ok, been reading reviews and prices for days now. I have ruled out some manufactures and wont mention their names, because im not Trolling for a debate. I will be heating a 1800 sq feet home in a very cold part of Nevada. I was initially looking at the $2000-$3000 price range, but now that I have been doing some serious research wonder if a $3000-$4000 pellet insert is worth it. Must say coming from a FS wood stove for 13 years im some what turned off by the maintenance and break down stories I have read. And yes I know everyone makes a few lemons. :sick: So I need a pellet insert and would like suggestions and honest historical feed back from those who have had inserts for more than six months. Quality, maintenance, price vs. longevity etc...etc... :zip: I have three local dealers, who between them sell all the big brands....Just wish I knew which one was the perfect fit for me ! :coolsmile: BTW the home is already piped with 3", bout 15' verticle. The past onwers of the home took the insert with them. Thanks for your replies ahead of time
Jake

 

[smwilliamson]

Are you or is there a Ms. involved? If so, Harman Accentra, if not Enviro Meridian. It's an esthetic's thing

 

[Nevada]

O yes thers a Ms involved and she's looking forward to me not dragging wood threw the house. Looks do count a bit, but im certainly more concerned with operations

 

[Meneillys]

Just a quick thing that is off topic. I know around my area some stove stores dont tell the truth about pellet stoves to wood stove owners. I have had some pellet customers tell me they are very unhappy because the pellet stove does not heat as good as the wood stove did. It is a differnt type of heat and takes much longer to heat the house than a wood stove. But the pellet stove dosn't give you the temp swings like a wood stove. Oh yea and something I learned recently 1 ton of Cubex pellets is equal to 1 full cord not face cord of wood depending on wood type of course.

 

[jtakeman]

Like Meneilly’s Woodland Products was saying, Going from wood to pellets may take some adjusting. One thing with a wood stove they produce goobs of BTU's and pellet inserts are generally much less in BTU out put. I took me 3 stoves until I found one that gave me the same wood heat feel. If you know the BTU output of the wood stove I would post it. But here are 2 of the biggest I know of.

The largest BTU output pellet insert I have seen is the new Enviro M55 cast. A full 55,000 BTU's of heat.

http://www.enviro.com/fireplace-products/pellet/fireplace-insert.html#M55castfpi

Another choice would be the Harman Accentra A full 42,000 BTU's of heat!

http://www.harmanstoves.com/product...rts&prd=pellet-inserts&f=ACCPINS&nav=overview

Both these stoves are EPA certified and qualify for the gov tax rebate.

 

[smoke show]

and don't forget the quadrafire mt vernon ae @ 60,200 btu/hr input.
http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/MT-Vernon-AE-Pellet-Insert.aspx?page=Specifications

 

[smwilliamson]

Like Meneilly’s Woodland Products was saying, Going from wood to pellets may take some adjusting. One thing with a wood stove they produce goobs of BTU's and pellet inserts are generally much less in BTU out put. I took me 3 stoves until I found one that gave me the same wood heat feel. If you know the BTU output of the wood stove I would post it. But here are 2 of the biggest I know of.

The largest BTU output pellet insert I have seen is the new Enviro M55 cast. A full 55,000 BTU's of heat.

http://www.enviro.com/fireplace-products/pellet/fireplace-insert.html#M55castfpi

Another choice would be the Harman Accentra A full 42,000 BTU's of heat!

http://www.harmanstoves.com/product...rts&prd=pellet-inserts&f=ACCPINS&nav=overview

Both these stoves are EPA certified and qualify for the gov tax rebate.

And both will pass the Ms. test.

 

[jtakeman]

and don't forget the quadrafire mt vernon ae @ 60,200 btu/hr input.
http://www.quadrafire.com/Products/MT-Vernon-AE-Pellet-Insert.aspx?page=Specifications

I stand corrected the quad has the largest BTU's. and is a looker too! Thanks smoke show!

The quad and the Enviro are multifuel stoves that have self cleaning burn pots. Burn just about anything in them nicely. Long burns between cleaning with clean pellets. Harman also has a good rep at burning clean pellets. Not sure how much multifuel would be available in Nevada. Switchgrass or sunflower seeds maybe??

 

[Trickyrick]

Nevada, I have the Harmon and an 1,880 sq foot colonial if you are looking for info. I have posted my results previously on here but woudl be happy to discuss.

ONE important thing to consider is how much insultaion your house has. Mine is WELL insulated, R54 in the ceeling and R21 in the walls with fair windows. I can keep the upstairs bedrooms at 70 and the downstairs around 76 and the room the stove is in at 79. As long as the windchill adjusted temp is above -5F. As the temperature drops or wind picks up and the adjusted temp starts to drop below -5F the stove can not keep up and the temp upstairs drops.

 

[imacman]

Based upon my dealings and using stoves from these 2 companies, I would not hesitate to recommend them. The Englander EP (Evolution Pellet) Insert...it is the very latest design from them, and the insert and FS stoves have approx. 2,000 square feet heating capacity.

www.englanderstoves.com/25-ep_i.html

I have also used a Travis Industries stove (Avalon), and have nothing but good things about them. Never had a problem. Their large Lopi & Avalon inserts will heat up to 2250 Sq. Ft.

http://lopistoves.com/product_guide/detail.aspx?id=189#Specs

http://avalonfirestyles.com/product_guide/detail.aspx?id=186#Specs

 

[Nevada]

Thanks for your quick replies folks. And you have given me more reading material. Most of the stoves you have mentioned are ones I have been lookin at and would consider, and now I can read up on others posted above. Its going to be a sad divorce from my wood stove, but im ready to turn in the saw and splitter for some cleaner burning heat. Will keep ya updated ! ;-) Good info also on the type of heat output, that will take some getting use to ....