Dr. Bigfoot said:
So now that we have a nice new harman accentra insert in, I'm wondering what is better, to run it on stove temp or room temp. Our installers thought that since the space the stove is in is wide open (sort of open floor plan, high ceilings), setting it to room temp would be inefficient and better to run off the stove temp setting. So, if that's the case, does the stove ever turn itself off? I'm guessing that only happens with the room temp setting. They told us that the sensor for the room temp setting is under the removable foot plate (well, he touched that area and said, "it's in here" so I guess that could mean anything). Read through the manual once but it doesn't mention any probes and how to position them so I'm guessing there's really no probe that the consumer actually places anywhere in a room. We haven't gone looking for it yet...still too busy admiring the new-ness and aesthetics of our anniversary present to ourselves
We are entering our 3rd year with our Harman.
We run in "Room Temp" mode as it will hold room temp if outside temp goes up or down.
I attended a seminar last year put on by the Northeast Tech.
Here are the highlights
He covered maintenance & cleaning items and answered many questions.
Key items that I picked up on:
1) He noted that if the best part of a Pine tree and the best part of an Oak tree were used to make pellets, there would be little difference in performance.
He did give a slight advantage to softwood for ash. The main differences are introduced by the manufacturer.
2) The combustion fan speed should be set to middle position. Ours is maxed out which he said can lower the burn pot temp.
3) The “Fines” catch box needs to be cleaned every 1-2 yrs. I plan to check every year.
4) The new style ignitors have 15 fins vs 13 on older ones.
5) Clean the ESP probe gently with water, alcohol and even Gin. I’ll drink the Gin instead!
6) If the ESP probe gets bent even a little, it is most probably bad. Thin wire inside is not supposed to touch the sides.
7) He said that running the stove in “Room Temp” mode is the most efficient mode.
8) Suggested spraying a light coat of WD-40 to the inside for Summer months to prevent rust. Spraying burn pot area OK also.
9) Stove shutdowns: Have noticed that the stove actually feeds pellets while shutting down. (Turning temp down)
This is normal and is an attempt to prevent fire making its’ way past the auger and into the hopper. GOOD IDEA!!
BUT, we do have an external temp sensor which is located in the opposite corner of a 12' X 12' living room in a 24' X 32' Cape.
Try it both ways. In your situation you may like the constant heat regardless of temp.