Hello, Everyone. After lots of research and inspiration from you good people, I finally got our Santa Fe insert installed yesterday with a pic attached. I also read a lot about the Lux themostats and picked up a 1500E to go with the new insert. The installer was awesome about putting in the Lux to replace the factory t-stat. He spent about 45 minutes with me getting the flame configured, going over the insert's operation and how to best clean it and all.
I have the Lux programmed with a swing setting of three (don't think my wife could handle such a large swing like eight) and, since I work in the basement rec room where the insert is installed four days a week, I have it set to 72 during the day and evening beginning at 8:15am then dropping back to 55 at 11pm at night before coming on at 65 at 6:30am. Probably a really strange interval so if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve that, I'd appreciate it. On weekends, the t-stat is set to 70 at 9am and then to 72 at 6pm when we'll be hanging out in the rec room.
The installer initially had it running on high but I just cranked it down to medium to help reduce the blower noise a bit. The flame height was right at 4" when on high so it's probably dialed-in. We've already burned almost two bags since having it installed at 1pm yesterday but I'm sure it's because I'm still playing around with the settings. We purchased a ton of Turman hardwood pellets - http://www.turmanhardwoodflooring.com/turman-hardwood-pellets.php. I've read a bunch of good reviews on them and the ash coming out is very fine and gray so they appear to be doing the job.
Our home was built in 1957 and is basically a bungalow with a finished basement on one side where the insert is and a shop/laundry room on the other. Our primary heat source is oil although we have natural gas coming in to the place so I'm planning on purchasing a gas insert probably next year for the main floor. Then we also have a finished attic where our master bedroom is. All in all, the house is about 3,200 square feet but the main level is 1,600 square feet. The room where the insert is probably around 525 square feet and it can be closed off. The insulation could be better as well so we're working on that.
Anyhoo, I just wanted to thank you all for the help and inspiration. I've learned a lot and am planning on continuing to do so! If anyone has any additional suggestions and/or insight you can offer, especially with the t-stat programming, I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance and take care!
Regards,
Kory
I have the Lux programmed with a swing setting of three (don't think my wife could handle such a large swing like eight) and, since I work in the basement rec room where the insert is installed four days a week, I have it set to 72 during the day and evening beginning at 8:15am then dropping back to 55 at 11pm at night before coming on at 65 at 6:30am. Probably a really strange interval so if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve that, I'd appreciate it. On weekends, the t-stat is set to 70 at 9am and then to 72 at 6pm when we'll be hanging out in the rec room.
The installer initially had it running on high but I just cranked it down to medium to help reduce the blower noise a bit. The flame height was right at 4" when on high so it's probably dialed-in. We've already burned almost two bags since having it installed at 1pm yesterday but I'm sure it's because I'm still playing around with the settings. We purchased a ton of Turman hardwood pellets - http://www.turmanhardwoodflooring.com/turman-hardwood-pellets.php. I've read a bunch of good reviews on them and the ash coming out is very fine and gray so they appear to be doing the job.
Our home was built in 1957 and is basically a bungalow with a finished basement on one side where the insert is and a shop/laundry room on the other. Our primary heat source is oil although we have natural gas coming in to the place so I'm planning on purchasing a gas insert probably next year for the main floor. Then we also have a finished attic where our master bedroom is. All in all, the house is about 3,200 square feet but the main level is 1,600 square feet. The room where the insert is probably around 525 square feet and it can be closed off. The insulation could be better as well so we're working on that.
Anyhoo, I just wanted to thank you all for the help and inspiration. I've learned a lot and am planning on continuing to do so! If anyone has any additional suggestions and/or insight you can offer, especially with the t-stat programming, I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance and take care!
Regards,
Kory
Welcome aboard! Your installer probably had it running on high to get all the walls and furnishings up to temperature. It sounds like he knows what he's doing if he dialed in the correct flame height. Now don't forget that adjustment is not a 'set and forget' item. It will change as you change pellet brands and pellet length so be ready to readjust slightly. I've gone from completely open to fully closed, which really isn't closed but as far as it will go.
