What's up with all you members running the old pre-EPA smoke dragons?

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kevinmoelk

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Hearth Supporter
Just wondering why you folks haven't chose to upgrade? Especially considering the good fire sales going on right now.

Don't get me wrong, I love old equipment, wouldn't trade my Internationals for anything, but I also don't drive them everyday.

So what's the deal? Why are you keeping those ancient metal boxes running?

-Kevin
 
wrenchmonster said:
Just wondering why you folks haven't chose to upgrade? Especially considering the good fire sales going on right now.

Don't get me wrong, I love old equipment, wouldn't trade my Internationals for anything, but I also don't drive them everyday.

So what's the deal? Why are you keeping those ancient metal boxes running?

-Kevin


Simple, I"m waiting for the price of a new Avalon Newport to drop to the the price I paid for my Jamestown ($100.00). It's simple many of us can't afford the latest and newest models, or our priority isn't to get a 5% or 10% increase in efficiency for $1.000 more than we have invested. Just because it is not -EPA latest compliant- doesn't mean it doesn't do the job, and do it well. I drive an '84 van sometimes, great gas mileage, and it passes all emission standards, even CA. Cost me $800. Should I replace it with a $38,000 van because it doesn't meet the newest standards? I suppose you can make your choice, just like I did.
 
1980 Fireplace Insert- used 1980, then not used till 2005, fricken baffle still looks like it did 20 years ago, plus its 450 pounds, I drag it in and out of the fireplace once a month, but I have no idea how the heck I'm gonna get it out the door! I love the firebox size damn near 4CF, It would heat carnegie hall, if i loaded it with Warrens pine, and it wont melt!! Seriously considering, but I've been renovating for 2 years, and it works, I put in new oil burner, that will last as long as this stove if I keep burning wood, new tank, new septic, new paint inside out, new floors, just not in the budget, as far as heat, this does the job! But I sure would love them see through doors!
 
Budget certainly plays a factor in all things in life. For the record my daily driver is a '92 Toyota 4x4. I could afford a newer truck, but it runs flawlessly, is paid for, and I'm not concerned if somone dings my door at the home cheapo parking lot. I'm not trying to knock anyone here, just curious.

BUT, with a stove efficiency play a big factor. If you burn less wood for the same heat output, then you are saving money. Even if you source your wood for free, there is still time involved in sourcing it, gas used for the chainsaw, gas for the truck, etc, etc. If you purchase your wood from a dealer your situation is even worse.

So, I see upgrading to a newer stove like installing insulation into your home. Cost up front, but the sooner you do it the more money you will save in the long run. In which case, the sooner the better. A decent new stove, or even used stove, could provide greater efficiency and hence savings. Not to mention that you'll be polluting far less... which at least to me is a factor. For the sales they're having at Lowes right now, I'd think you're not going to find a better deal in perhaps years to come, if at all. I say flex the plastic and get one.

-Kevin
 
UncleRich said:
wrenchmonster said:
Just wondering why you folks haven't chose to upgrade? Especially considering the good fire sales going on right now.

Don't get me wrong, I love old equipment, wouldn't trade my Internationals for anything, but I also don't drive them everyday.

So what's the deal? Why are you keeping those ancient metal boxes running?

-Kevin


Simple, I"m waiting for the price of a new Avalon Newport to drop to the the price I paid for my Jamestown ($100.00). It's simple many of us can't afford the latest and newest models, or our priority isn't to get a 5% or 10% increase in efficiency for $1.000 more than we have invested. Just because it is not -EPA latest compliant- doesn't mean it doesn't do the job, and do it well. I drive an '84 van sometimes, great gas mileage, and it passes all emission standards, even CA. Cost me $800. Should I replace it with a $38,000 van because it doesn't meet the newest standards? I suppose you can make your choice, just like I did.

Not to get in to a big heated debate but its my understanding the most efficient you can burn wood is at 50% efficient for the standard #'s Now when you add a cat combuster and or a secondary burn chamber is when you go from 50% efficient to 73% / 78% efficient so thats a 25% gain in efficiency or 25% less wood burned/cut / bought / time spent cutting ect...

$100.00 / $1000.00 is a bit different from $800.00 / $38,000.00

We already know what happens when your drive a new car off the lot ................---$$$
But a new wood stove does nothing but pay for itself. Even at 25% efficiency gain X 10 , 20 years is a lot of wood / a lot of work. Than you add things like longer burn times / standard front glass / new modern looks, no or less creosote issues.
 
OOPS, my error. These are pellet stoves. Not sure, but efficiency is a little higher, both stoves are rated at 80% plus. A 20 fold increase in price to get a 2% better burn and a reduction of maybe, 10 minutes time per day doesn't pay for itself for 30 years in cost savings. (man was that convoluted) I'm not picking a fight, but if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and has the traditional colors and features of a duck, why get the latest hotrod model?



Roospike said:
UncleRich said:
wrenchmonster said:
Just wondering why you folks haven't chose to upgrade? Especially considering the good fire sales going on right now.

Don't get me wrong, I love old equipment, wouldn't trade my Internationals for anything, but I also don't drive them everyday.

So what's the deal? Why are you keeping those ancient metal boxes running?

-Kevin


Simple, I"m waiting for the price of a new Avalon Newport to drop to the the price I paid for my Jamestown ($100.00). It's simple many of us can't afford the latest and newest models, or our priority isn't to get a 5% or 10% increase in efficiency for $1.000 more than we have invested. Just because it is not -EPA latest compliant- doesn't mean it doesn't do the job, and do it well. I drive an '84 van sometimes, great gas mileage, and it passes all emission standards, even CA. Cost me $800. Should I replace it with a $38,000 van because it doesn't meet the newest standards? I suppose you can make your choice, just like I did.

Not to get in to a big heated debate but its my understanding the most efficient you can burn wood is at 50% efficient for the standard #'s Now when you add a cat combuster and or a secondary burn chamber is when you go from 50% efficient to 73% / 78% efficient so thats a 25% gain in efficiency or 25% less wood burned/cut / bought / time spent cutting ect...

$100.00 / $1000.00 is a bit different from $800.00 / $38,000.00

We already know what happens when your drive a new car off the lot ................---$$$
But a new wood stove does nothing but pay for itself. Even at 25% efficiency gain X 10 , 20 years is a lot of wood / a lot of work. Than you add things like longer burn times / standard front glass / new modern looks, no or less soot issues.
 
i know people who have upgraded and thier wood use doesn't change much. secondary combustion does happen on pre-epa stoves, just not completely and mostly when you're burning in the mid to upper ranges of heat output; people seem to think it doesn't happen at all, it does, but not as completely. bear in mind there are two "efficiencies" to consider; heat transfer efficiency, and combustion efficiency - which the newer stoves excell at, but i have observed some newer stoves that do it with excessive exhaust gas temeritures, whereas older stoves while not being as efficient at burning the actual wood, were efficient, in some cases, at transferring heat to the room via baffel systems or the simple fact they allowed combustion gasses to stay in the stove for extended periods of time due to air restriction; the downside being potentially more creosote.
 
mtarbert said:
I burn an old Fisher because it heats well and I am Cheap

Good, on'ya. We old goat owners need to stick up for our rights to burn. You keep postin'. Some of us still think the bottom line is are the knickers warm????
 
Can you save 6-10 dollars a week? If so you could easily have a new stove at the end of a year. I consider myself pretty darn frugal, moreso than most, but we're not talking about a huge ticket item like a new rig or a home. Besides, you folks already have the hearth, chimney, and accessories, so that's half the battle right there.

Who says you have to buy a brand new stove? I see lots of very nice stoves on craigslist frequently for $2-500 bucks, and these are stoves that started out as $1500 units, just a few years old. Many need a new coat of paint, but that's not a big deal. Or how about a BRAND NEW Englander?

-Kevin
 
wrenchmonster said:
Can you save 6-10 dollars a week? If so you could easily have a new stove at the end of a year. I consider myself pretty darn frugal, moreso than most, but we're not talking about a huge ticket item like a new rig or a home. Besides, you folks already have the hearth, chimney, and accessories, so that's half the battle right there.

Who says you have to buy a brand new stove? I see lots of very nice stoves on craigslist frequently for $2-500 bucks, and these are stoves that started out as $1500 units, just a few years old. Many need a new coat of paint, but that's not a big deal. Or how about a BRAND NEW Englander?

-Kevin

Kevin:
So let me think here, probably backwards, but if I can save 6-10 dollars per week, why should I buy a new stove? Particulariy if I am gaining no efficiency, burning no less fuel and having to deal with a whole new unit? Wouldn't I be better off buying a few more books for the kids, or putting the extra in saving for retirement, or a college fund.

Please. explain why a new unit would be better? When you explain your rational, give us why in four or five years the burning technology looks back and sees us in the dark ages with out current technology, you can justify spending so much for so little.

Kevin, I'm not being nasty, but that's the sale pitch the auto industry has been pitching each year with their new models, seems to benefit them and not us.
 
UncleRich said:
Kevin:
So let me think here, probably backwards, but if I can save 6-10 dollars per week, why should I buy a new stove? Particulariy if I am gaining no efficiency, burning no less fuel and having to deal with a whole new unit? Wouldn't I be better off buying a few more books for the kids, or putting the extra in saving for retirement, or a college fund.

Please. explain why a new unit would be better? When you explain your rational, give us why in four or five years the burning technology looks back and sees us in the dark ages with out current technology, you can justify spending so much for so little.

Kevin, I'm not being nasty, but that's the sale pitch the auto industry has been pitching each year with their new models, seems to benefit them and not us.

Oh, I'm not offended... it's all in good sport. I'm not sure I could explain it any better than Spike already did. Higher efficiency is less wood burnt, which equates to money saved. Everyones numbers will crunch a little differently.

In my particular case, it would have been illegal to re-install my old Frontier stove. WA is pretty strict, so I had to go new. As it was I found a fairly good deal on a used set up. In fact, had I not found such a good deal I would have forgone the stove for this season.

Beyond economics I think there is a safety factor involved as well. Newer stoves have been tested, and safe tolerances are known. With the older stoves you're walking in the dark, in my opinion.

I'm not suggesting that other priorities shouldn't take precedence over a new stove. Kids, college and retirement are far more important than having a new stove, or a new car. However, for most people I've found budgets can be tightened enough to save a little extra money. Whether you're buying coffee at Starbucks, or eating out for dinner or renting movies, or paying for cable, cell phones and other "necessities" in life SOMETHING can usually be given up for an item of greater importance. I would place home heating as a higher priority than cable TV.

I estimate that I have about $2-3 in change every week left over from "stuff" I do during my week. I throw my change into a bowl at the end of every day. Even saving my change that's $104 to $156 bucks a year. In two years you could purchase a new stove. Certainly you have to want a new stove, and make a commitment to save for one, but it's not impossible.

I have no shame in going to yard sales, purchasing used building materials, fixing things other people can't, going to thrift stores for my clothes, etc. All things I do on a regular basis. A penny saved is a penny earned. I can afford many pleasures in life because I have saved money where I can over the years. Admittedly I do splurge once in a while on a fine meal or new toy (usually a new tool), you've got to spoil yourself a little in life. I look down upon no one for being frugal, in fact I think frugality is an admirable quality.

If the numbers don't pencil out for you so be it. But I believe there are other members on the forum who certainly could, perhaps easily, afford to purchase a new stove and don't. So let's hear their rationale!

And for the record again... I've never ever bought a new car. One, because I've been a mechanic by trade, and two because they are horrible investments. No where can you loose more money than by purchasing a new car. And my classics? Well I've never paid more than $1000 for any of them upon purchase price, they hold their value, and my sweat equity makes them worth more. I could certainly have better investments, they are toys for certain, and if I had to sell them to make end meets I would.

-Kevin
 
OK...lets assume I believe the figures about all the Money I am going to save. What am I going to do with my old Fisher? Put it in a Landfill? Maybe sell it for scrap? Well the Landfill is just pollution buried. Scrap and it goes to China to be re-melted and sold back to the US as splitting mauls putting some American out of work. Nope I am going to keep her till it dosent work anymore.
 
Another thing to consider is that many times the chimney that a pre-epa is piped to either won't work with an epa or won't work as well with a epa because of size. Size does matter...

So along with even the used stove, you're talking about an SS liner setup which can become VERY costly especially when done professionally. Many times it can equal more than the cost of a new stove.
 
I'm trying to make my neighbors move.

No not really. I bought my 1989 (early epa standards) stove for 225 bucks 3 years ago. Used stoves have gone up a bit in the last couple years around here. My stove needs a few things replaced on it but I can still probably rebuild everything for under 300 bucks. A decent insert will run me more than that new and other used units will also. you can usually only see smoke from my chimney when I reload or start the fire. As for wood usage....I get all my wood for free. can't handle all the free wood I'm offered. I'm a 40 year old man who needs the ecercise so I get out there and cut and split and make my kids stack. don't mind burning a little extra.....It's free.
 
mtarbert said:
OK...lets assume I believe the figures about all the Money I am going to save. What am I going to do with my old Fisher? Put it in a Landfill? Maybe sell it for scrap? Well the Landfill is just pollution buried. Scrap and it goes to China to be re-melted and sold back to the US as splitting mauls putting some American out of work. Nope I am going to keep her till it dosent work anymore.


Not all scrap metal goes to china While of the factory tour I saw the scrap metal cast into new stoves frying pans. right here in USA

scrap Iron is $.10 per pound

To Kevin
My interpid is 20 years old Tested to the State or Origon Specs meaning It is equilvant to EPA Phase I ITs effeciency still passes the modern EPA standards
Like you rebuild scouts, some stoves can be rebuilt to equal new in terms of preformance.
the Down draft over the Coals into secondary combustion chambers has been in stoves since early to mid 80's Theromatically controled secondary air for secondary combustion chambers
again My Mid 80's stove has that.. It is possible that My Intrepid with and more effecient stovecombustor.com could be burning cleaner than new factory models

Pellet stoves have increased effeciencies and have introduced modern technology to fine tune all phases of opperations
Many of the original makers are no longer in busness like Witfield and replacement parts are becoming an issue Most here are not typing ona computer witha 286 processor then why burn on the technology. But Pellet stoves are not cheap

I agree with Kevin since Lowes fire sale makes his arguement viable. We may never see these prices again, and yes we will see a lot higher oil/gas pricing I can't believe stoves the quality Tesas got for $245

There is also merit and truth to hidden cost like chimney upgrades Most of the ones telling you this are the ones that either frequently do cleaning of receive frequent visits from the lovcal PD.

Kevin its the 70's poluting and early 80 beast that need replacing those un safe Franklins the inserts just pushed into the openings. It cost us all money for fire fighting.
Thses are time bombs waiting for disaster polluting beast unsafe that's what I'm talking about the scandias Volgalzang types not safe at any speed
 
Some pre EPA stoves being operated by some people are every bit as efficient and clean burning as an EPA stove being operated by the average person. So if it is working why change?

One thing that many people chose to ignore with this kind of thing stoves, cars, appliances, etc. is that there is an environmental cost paid in replacing a unit that comes with the manufacture of the new more efficient replacement unit.

I would bet that in many cases the pollution created by the "manufacture" of a new stove is more then the pollution from running a older stove for another few years. Same often goes for cars. In those cases it can be better to keep running the old unit rather then retire it before it's time.
And by causing manufacture of a new unit (by buying one) you often cause pollution in someone else's back yard instead of your own. Kind of the if you make the stink you should have to smell it.
 
Wrenchmonster, what was really the point of this thread?

You do realize that your bought and paid for Toyota is doing far more damage to the environment than someones pre-epa "smoker"
Good burning habits have alot more to do with the efficiency of a stove than most everything else.
You can have all the newest technology and if you aint burning dry wood there is no way in hell that you are going to approach the efficiency of someone with dry wood and good burning habits running an ole smokebox.

FWIW maybe you should scrap that Toyota and get yourself a Hybrid, seeing as how your all concerned about saving people money, do you realize the money you are wasting by getting 25 MPG when you could be getting 50?
 
'Cause I don't have the $6,000+ spare change laying around for a new boiler. And if I did, I'd probably spend it on something else. It's a lot cheaper for me to just cut more wood.
 
Eric Johnson said:
'Cause I don't have the $6,000+ spare change laying around for a new boiler. And if I did, I'd probably spend it on something else. It's a lot cheaper for me to just cut more wood.

But what about all your time?

If you bought a "better" boiler you would burn 1/2 a cord less free wood than you do now.
Think of all the things you could do with all that spare time?
 
elkimmeg said:
Kevin its the 70's poluting and early 80 beast that need replacing those un safe Franklins the inserts just pushed into the openings. It cost us all money for fire fighting.
Thses are time bombs waiting for disaster polluting beast unsafe that's what I'm talking about the scandias Volgalzang types not safe at any speed

I agree 11111111111111111111111100% . Saftey first last and always! But its up to code and the cities to place inspection of all homes for death traps at time of sale of the residence ot stop the "beast". Big brother? Any desision made in thr interests of saftey is a good desision! IT could be education about safety. Local papers are always looking for a story. Unfortunately most users of "the beast" don't know "what's up" the chimney and aren't reading this thread.
 
Sit around and get fat.

I'm about two years ahead on my wood supply as it is. If I cut any more, it's going to start rotting before I get a chance to burn it.

It's what I do, babs.
 
Andre B. said:
I would bet that in many cases the pollution created by the "manufacture" of a new stove is more then the pollution from running a older stove for another few years. Same often goes for cars. In those cases it can be better to keep running the old unit rather then retire it before it's time.
And by causing manufacture of a new unit (by buying one) you often cause pollution in someone else's back yard instead of your own. Kind of the if you make the stink you should have to smell it.

Are there any pollution controls on the Chinese foundries where the iron is cast or steel made for American assembled stoves?
 
DriftWood said:
Andre B. said:
I would bet that in many cases the pollution created by the "manufacture" of a new stove is more then the pollution from running a older stove for another few years. Same often goes for cars. In those cases it can be better to keep running the old unit rather then retire it before it's time.
And by causing manufacture of a new unit (by buying one) you often cause pollution in someone else's back yard instead of your own. Kind of the if you make the stink you should have to smell it.

Are there any pollution controls on the Chinese foundries where the iron is cast or steel made for American assembled stoves?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0516_050516_chinaeco_2.html
 
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