New progress hybrid install

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georgepds

Minister of Fire
Nov 25, 2012
878
Well.. the progress hybrid went in last Friday, replacing the old Jotul combi-fire that has been with me since about 1985

First step was to widen the hearth. I went with a tile pad ~ 69x69 inches flush to the floor. To get the space I needed for the proper insulation, I took off the sub floor, sistered the joists with 2x4s, ¾ in down, and laid ¾ in plywood into the gap. On top of this I laid a sheet of aluminum flashing to even out any heat that made it through the insulating layers ( ½ in of micron 300, R~1, and ½ in of Duroc Next gen, R~0.4) . Next was ¼ in tile for a non combustible surface ( the mortar took up the other ¼ in) . The tile guy laid in ¼ in mesh hardware cloth in the mortar to give it additional tensile strength (not sure if it is necessary, but he was the craftsman, and he wanted it) . The manual calls for R ~0.8, so the R~1.4 is overkill

Next step was to get the stove delivered. Woodstock shipped the PH overnight by ABF freight. I had a mover come pick it up and deliver the next day (6 guys with a 4 wheel dolly and truck) They moved it in flawlessly, manhandling when needed (one guy on each corner). I wanted it placed 18 in off the non-combustible brick wall and centered, and they did that for me nicely.

That said, there is a lot of stress in the installation. I used vendors for both the tile and the move, and they proved to be good people, honest and true to their word, showing up on time and doing the job properly. Still these were people I did not know either by reference or reputation, relying only on their word (and my judgment of their ability from discussion). From past experience I know my judgment is fallible

Friday night was first burn, and I took it in slowly. It’s a lot different from the old Jotul (which was no longer air tight). Stove pipe temps reached ~300 when I cut in the cat, and the first long burn, at half load with 3 seasoned 16 in splits, was about 8 hours. The heat was nice and even, bringing the room temp up to about 70 degrees (it’s a big room ~30x 15 feet). The thing I like about radiant heat is that it seems to soak into everything, including me. The next morning the room was much more comfortable that it ever was with the Jotul, due mostly to the fact that there was a very warm 700 pound stone sitting in the middle of it

It is nice to be warm again. I heat with wood, with propane wall heaters as backup. I prefer the wood heat.
 
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Well.. the progress hybrid went in last Friday, replacing the old Jotul combi-fire that has been with me since about 1985

First step was to widen the hearth. I went with a tile pad ~ 69x69 inches flush to the floor. To get the space I needed for the proper insulation, I took off the sub floor, sistered the joists with 2x4s, ¾ in down, and laid ¾ in plywood into the gap. On top of this I laid a sheet of aluminum flashing to even out any heat that made it through the insulating layers ( ½ in of micron 300, R~1, and ½ in of Duroc Next gen, R~0.4) . Next was ¼ in tile for a non combustible surface ( the mortar took up the other ¼ in) . The tile guy laid in ¼ in mesh hardware cloth in the mortar to give it additional tensile strength (not sure if it is necessary, but he was the craftsman, and he wanted it) . The manual calls for R ~0.8, so the R~1.4 is overkill

Next step was to get the stove delivered. Woodstock shipped the PH overnight by ABF freight. I had a mover come pick it up and deliver the next day (6 guys with a 4 wheel dolly and truck) They moved it in flawlessly, manhandling when needed (one guy on each corner). I wanted it placed 18 in off the non-combustible brick wall and centered, and they did that for me nicely.

That said, there is a lot of stress in the installation. I used vendors for both the tile and the move, and they proved to be good people, honest and true to their word, showing up on time and doing the job properly. Still these were people I did not know either by reference or reputation, relying only on their word (and my judgment of their ability from discussion). From past experience I know my judgment is fallible

Friday night was first burn, and I took it in slowly. It’s a lot different from the old Jotul (which was no longer air tight). Stove pipe temps reached ~300 when I cut in the cat, and the first long burn, at half load with 3 seasoned 16 in splits, was about 8 hours. The heat was nice and even, bringing the room temp up to about 70 degrees (it’s a big room ~30x 15 feet). The thing I like about radiant heat is that it seems to soak into everything, including me. The next morning the room was much more comfortable that it ever was with the Jotul, due mostly to the fact that there was a very warm 700 pound stone sitting in the middle of it

It is nice to be warm again. I heat with wood, with propane wall heaters as backup. I prefer the wood heat.


Congrats on your Progress Hybrid. Let us know how it is working out for you. I plan to install a Progress Hybrid in my "outbuilding" this coming fall. So I am interested in your future comments, even though it's a bit late in the burning season.

You really did a complete job with your floor protection. It is always a good feeling when you do the job right the first time. You know it was done right and "overkill" is a good thing.

I can relate to your concerns about using contractors. Often they can be a dissapointment. Sounds like they did right by you.

How about some pics? it's been said here many times: "No pics - it didn't happen.'
 
Pics will come when I bring the camera down next weekend. It looks beautiful.
Ok now I am watching this thread and patiently waiting for pics, please don't forget.:rolleyes:
 
It's hard to convey to people who haven't experienced it how very soul warming soapstone heat is.

May you enjoy your new stove in good health for many years.
+1 Well said, soul warming it is, Enjoy.
 
It's hard to convey to people who haven't experienced it how very soul warming soapstone heat is.

May you enjoy your new stove in good health for many years.
Isn't that the truth.
 
Nice! Good luck and enjoy.

I love the PH, and really love the soapstone heat and look. You only had 3 splits in there, wait until you load it up and fire it up. Hang on to your socks man, and warn your neighbors, your going to heat the neighborhood! ;)

I had a 22 hour burn Sunday into monday (yesterday), without trying at all. It was not that cold here, upper 30's, so I loaded with a bunch of small stuff I had accumulating. I ended up with about a 3/4 load, but all small stuff and oddball chunks. I loaded at 10pm, and shut the air almost all the way down by 10:15 (stove was already hot). When I went to work yesterday, I noticed my ECO fan (powerless fan) was still spinning fast, but I didn't look into the stove or re-load, was just letting it burn out duing the day, for a re-light when I returned from work. Well, last night I got home from work late (8:30pm), and walk over to the stove assuming it was cold, swing open the door to scrape the ashes around and mostly into the ash pan, and low and behold the door hanlde was still hot enough to burn my hand a bit. Once the door was open, I could see I still had a small hot coalbed to re-start. The stove top was still 200. So I reloaded, and off she went, still burning now!

Realy amazing stove!
 
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