Help me understand my Harman P68 settings

[bigeclipse]

All,
I am a first time pellet stove owner. We replaced our wood stove with a pellet stove because I was tired of stacking wood, cleaning up wood messes in the house, inconsistent house temps...etc. Anyways, we had our stove installed yesterday. I have watched the DVD included (it is now considered the owner's manual) and while the DVD did a good job discussing maintenance, I do not feel it really does a good job explaining the settings in detail (maybe a better way to look at what I want is trouble shooting the settings to get optimum performance to best utilize your pellets). I currently have the stove set in room temp mode with the room temp blower speed set in the middle. I have the feed rate set on 4 and the thermostat set to about 72. All the dvd stated was to make sure you have the correct feed rate....it only states to make sure no unburnt pellets are making it into the bin. If that is the case then you should turn your feed rate down. Other than that it really does not do a whole lot explaining the settings. What adjustments should I try in order to get the comfort I might desire while optimizing efficiency? I know you cannot tell me exact settings as every house is different but what settings should I play with? Thanks!

 

[articcatbill]

All,
I am a first time pellet stove owner. We replaced our wood stove with a pellet stove because I was tired of stacking wood, cleaning up wood messes in the house, inconsistent house temps...etc. Anyways, we had our stove installed yesterday. I have watched the DVD included (it is now considered the owner's manual) and while the DVD did a good job discussing maintenance, I do not feel it really does a good job explaining the settings in detail (maybe a better way to look at what I want is trouble shooting the settings to get optimum performance to best utilize your pellets). I currently have the stove set in room temp mode with the room temp blower speed set in the middle. I have the feed rate set on 4 and the thermostat set to about 72. All the dvd stated was to make sure you have the correct feed rate....it only states to make sure no unburnt pellets are making it into the bin. If that is the case then you should turn your feed rate down. Other than that it really does not do a whole lot explaining the settings. What adjustments should I try in order to get the comfort I might desire while optimizing efficiency? I know you cannot tell me exact settings as every house is different but what settings should I play with? Thanks!

I also switched from wood to pellet in the fall of this year, also a P68. Mine is a basement install so I run it in stove mode all the time. I haven't used room temp. As far as feed rate, I have pretty much kept mine at 4. I did try it a couple times in different places just to try, but have always went back to 4. I just set my stove temp between 3-6 depending on how cold it is outside, but again different install because of basement. If I had mine in a living space I would use room temp, set it to what is comfortable and forget it. Pellets in = heat out, so if you want the heat you will burn the pellets to get it. I keep mine set so we are comfortable.

Here is a link to the Harman manual if you want to read through the paper manual:

http://downloads.hearthnhome.com/installManuals/P68.pdf

 

[articcatbill]

Oh one thing I should have mentioned, as far as efficiency what I have noticed I get better heat output if I keep it clean. I have been cleaning it about every 2 weeks. I am burning it pretty hard though to heat our entire house (2400 sq ft total). Doesn't take long to clean it < 1 hour and to me it seems to help with heat output. I have been starting to more often scrap/brush the heat exchanger on the top of the fire box as well as the fire box sides. I give the burn pot a good scrap a couple times a day.

That has been the biggest efficiency gains I have found, keeping it clean, the firebox and heat exchanger, as well as the burn pot so you have a nice flame, not lazy.

 

[bogieb]

Actually, they just put out a manual the first of the year (edit - I see someone already put up the link). They never include it with the stove, you have to download the PDF. Also, there is a sticky with tips and further explanations. That being said, every house, stove and installation is different, so you may want to experiment with settings until you find what woks well for you. Also, what works well in the deep of winter may be different than what works well in fall and spring.

Congrats on your new stove and enjoy!

 

[bigeclipse]

Actually, they just put out a manual the first of the year (edit - I see someone already put up the link). They never include it with the stove, you have to download the PDF. Also, there is a sticky with tips and further explanations. That being said, every house, stove and installation is different, so you may want to experiment with settings until you find what woks well for you. Also, what works well in the deep of winter may be different than what works well in fall and spring.

Congrats on your new stove and enjoy!

ok. One question though. The room temp knob...I have notice the higher it is set....the harder the blower will blow. Is that all it does is increase the blower amount? Why would someone want to have higher versus low? Simply aid in air circulation? Also, with the feed rate knob...unless unburnt pellets are spilling over the edge...why not have feed rate high versus low? Thanks.

 

[articcatbill]

ok. One question though. The room temp knob...I have notice the higher it is set....the harder the blower will blow. Is that all it does is increase the blower amount? Why would someone want to have higher versus low? Simply aid in air circulation? Also, with the feed rate knob...unless unburnt pellets are spilling over the edge...why not have feed rate high versus low? Thanks.

Are you referring to the knob with the temperature settings? Or the knob for the distribution blower (room temp on top, constant burn on bottom). I am going to guess the distribution blower knob. Yes that adjusts the distribution blower and then the air flow, in my basement install I have 2 powered vents above my stove that pull heat up to the floor above it. But I also have a stairwell where heat gets pushed to the lower level of the house. When I turn up the distribution blower it forces more heat towards that stairwell. So I can use it to balance the temperatures to some degree between the floors of my house.

So yes you might use that to help or lessen the speed of the distribution blower and therefore air flow. If it is in your living space it is also quite loud as you crank it up and that might be a factor you want to adjust. Mine being in the basement, doesn't really matter to me.

 

[bigeclipse]

Are you referring to the knob with the temperature settings? Or the knob for the distribution blower (room temp on top, constant burn on bottom). I am going to guess the distribution blower knob. Yes that adjusts the distribution blower and then the air flow, in my basement install I have 2 powered vents above my stove that pull heat up to the floor above it. But I also have a stairwell where heat gets pushed to the lower level of the house. When I turn up the distribution blower it forces more heat towards that stairwell. So I can use it to balance the temperatures to some degree between the floors of my house.

So yes you might use that to help or lessen the speed of the distribution blower and therefore air flow. If it is in your living space it is also quite loud as you crank it up and that might be a factor you want to adjust. Mine being in the basement, doesn't really matter to me.

yes it is in a living area. While we are in that area I would say if the room temp blower knob is set about half way it is starting to get too loud. So let me ask one more question...let's say for instance when the blower knob is set say at almost highest setting and temp is set say at 71...this gives me an upstairs temp of say 68 because of house layout. Lets say that 68 is fine. Now if I go to turn down the blower setting, the temp upstairs falls slightly, too compensate can I turn up the temperature setting to say 74? yes the living space area will now increase to 74 degrees and I will burn a bit more pellets, but now the sound will be tolerable and the upstairs might stay around that magic 68 number. Of course I will test this but is my thinking in the right direction?

 

[articcatbill]

It is hard to say for sure, because of not really knowing how the air flows in your house. But yes that certainly might work (says the politician). So it is something that you can certainly try. Is there someway you can increase your air circulation to the upstairs? A properly place fan? Could simply be a box fan on the floor, or they make ones that mount in the corner of a doorway? One thing I noticed different about the pellet versus the wood stove. The wood stove heat was so intense it tended to drive the heat upstairs, if that makes sense. When I put in the pellet stove it still heats my house fine, but I had to think more about how to move the heat where I wanted it.

When I installed the pellet stove I had 2 4x12 vents above it. With the wood stove enough heat moved through them naturally to heat the upstairs. With the pellet stove I needed to install fans in those vents to pull the heat up there.

So think about the air flow in your house, can you increase the natural convection to get more of the heat upstairs?

 

[alternativeheat]

If you set the temp high and it's really calling for heat you might find the stove defaults to high blower fan even though you have it set mid range. This is a safety feature so you don't over heat the stove. In my house a high fan really helps distribute the warm air to my upstairs. If you are going to be upstairs you then might want to set the fan speed on high. This probably will result in a few more pellets used because the ESP in the stove is going to want to be satisfied for the heat settings you have set. More distribution air ( high fan speeds) lowers the stoves temp because the heat is being distributed ( dah) and thus increases flame automatically to compensate.

When you are in the stove room hanging out you might try the constant burn mode with the igniter switch off, set the temp just under 5. This will shut off the distribution fan unless the stove calls for a cool down, then it might come on but probably on fairly low.. If you set the heat setting above 5 , say 5-1/2 you should have control over the fan again. That mode is a kind of ambiance mode when you want to hang out near the stove. Flip the igniter back on and you back in auto but constant burn rather than room temp.

There are times I like the Constant Burn ( actually my stove is older so what they call Constant Burn now, is Stove Temp Mode in my stove)and most times I like Room Temp mode.

Your feed rate should be just fine set at 4.

The P series stoves are not particularly quiet, I think I addressed this when you were shopping and I mentioned that the XXV is considered the quietest of the Harman stoves ( I usually mention that anyway if someone is shopping for a Harman, to which there have been a few this winter). But all the above stated, some houses do fine on low fan, not mine though at least not till shoulder season anyway.

 

[bigeclipse]

If you set the temp high and it's really calling for heat you might find the stove defaults to high blower fan even though you have it set mid range. This is a safety feature so you don't over heat the stove. In my house a high fan really helps distribute the warm air to my upstairs. If you are going to be upstairs you then might want to set the fan speed on high. This probably will result in a few more pellets used because the ESP in the stove is going to want to be satisfied for the heat settings you have set. More distribution air ( high fan speeds) lowers the stoves temp because the heat is being distributed ( dah) and thus increases flame automatically to compensate.

When you are in the stove room hanging out you might try the constant burn mode with the igniter switch off, set the temp just under 5. This will shut off the distribution fan unless the stove calls for a cool down, then it might come on but probably on fairly low.. If you set the heat setting above 5 , say 5-1/2 you should have control over the fan again. That mode is a kind of ambiance mode when you want to hang out near the stove. Flip the igniter back on and you back in auto but constant burn rather than room temp.

There are times I like the Constant Burn ( actually my stove is older so what they call Constant Burn now, is Stove Temp Mode in my stove)and most times I like Room Temp mode.

Your feed rate should be just fine set at 4.

The P series stoves are not particularly quiet, I think I addressed this when you were shopping and I mentioned that the XXV is considered the quietest of the Harman stoves ( I usually mention that anyway if someone is shopping for a Harman, to which there have been a few this winter). But all the above stated, some houses do fine on low fan, not mine though at least not till shoulder season anyway.

Yeah...we were very interested in the XXV but when we had the stove people over they stated that if we truly wanted to never run the oil furnace that the XXV would not cut it. They stated the P61a would be likely what we wanted/needed but that for a few hundred dollars more it just makes sense to get the P68 and never worry about those truly cold winter nights/days. Last night was 10 degrees out (so not the coldest we see but definitely cold) and the P68 handled it like a champ and had plenty of room to go even hotter so now I feel confident it will handle those below zero nights we sometimes have.

 

[alternativeheat]

Yeah...we were very interested in the XXV but when we had the stove people over they stated that if we truly wanted to never run the oil furnace that the XXV would not cut it. They stated the P61a would be likely what we wanted/needed but that for a few hundred dollars more it just makes sense to get the P68 and never worry about those truly cold winter nights/days. Last night was 10 degrees out (so not the coldest we see but definitely cold) and the P68 handled it like a champ and had plenty of room to go even hotter so now I feel confident it will handle those below zero nights we sometimes have.

Well then you have a few modes and knobs to experiment with LOL !!

 

[bigeclipse]

Well then you have a few modes and knobs to experiment with LOL !!

yes! Also, I was giving an example above. Honestly so far with the blower on high, even set at 71 the whole house easily was heated and it was almost overwhelming so having the blower in the middle I think will be perfect anyways but I will keep experimenting.

 

[alternativeheat]

yes! Also, I was giving an example above. Honestly so far with the blower on high, even set at 71 the whole house easily was heated and it was almost overwhelming so having the blower in the middle I think will be perfect anyways but I will keep experimenting.

I'd say your house is far more efficient than mine. You might even get along with a low fan at that rate. But then too I'm very comfortable at 74, I cool the house to 74 in the summer months. So I crank the stove probably more than you are in the winter. FWIW. You'll catch on quick, it's not that complicated really just new to you.

 

[bags]

What is your home's central HVAC system or what type of primary heat do you have if it was not your wood stove which the P68 replaced?

If you have a HVAC system with ductwork it might help a lot to just turn on the fan only on your stat. This will pull return air and blow forced air throughout your home giving better air movement and distribution throughout. I heat 2,350 SQ FT on two levels with my P68 going this route and a couple of ceiling fans and a box fan or two. It's all about moving air around.

Then you will find what stove temps and settings work and when. There is a bit of a learning curve. Also plenty to search on these subjects and read up on using the search above. You can also fiddle a bit and ask questions. Fiddling and knob spinning can complicate and frustrate things though.

Being new to the stove I'd run room auto for awhile to get used to what it does. Pellet stoves are noisy vs. wood stoves. After awhile it becomes something you no longer even notice. Turn the TV volume up a bit.

I bought my 68 going in with the thought it would not heat our place but wanted to save cords of wood I'd feed the Woodmaster OWB in the shoulder seasons. LOL! I was surprised and have been heating only with the 68 since I installed it. It can be a beast when needed during extended brutally cold conditions. You likely will not have any issues there.

 

[Tonyray]

yes! Also, I was giving an example above. Honestly so far with the blower on high, even set at 71 the whole house easily was heated and it was almost overwhelming so having the blower in the middle I think will be perfect anyways but I will keep experimenting.

using a P61A, I also have a 2nd floor... the steps are directly across from where the stove is..
we have never had to use our fan at full speed...keep it in the middle..
a ceiling fan at the top of our steps does most of the work for circulating heat to 2nd floor.
we use it on the clockwise setting, and lowest fan speed..any higher and we would have a cool draft.
#4 feed rate is your best optimal feed rate...the stove will not feed at 4 all the time as it knows to compensate for room temperature.
as others said here. every house is different.. insulated/ not well insulated, open floor plan, broken up rooms with left/right turns..
[ that last configuration is one that if my house was broken up like that, i would NOT have a pellet stove.] heat doesn't turn corners very well and u end up heat blasting the room the stove is in..
oh, your Harman will burn pretty much any brand of pellets... I know this but I still pay a bit more for good softwoods that leave little ash..
maintain & keep your stove clean and it will love you back..

 

[P51mustang]

Oh one thing I should have mentioned, as far as efficiency what I have noticed I get better heat output if I keep it clean. I have been cleaning it about every 2 weeks. I am burning it pretty hard though to heat our entire house (2400 sq ft total). Doesn't take long to clean it < 1 hour and to me it seems to help with heat output. I have been starting to more often scrap/brush the heat exchanger on the top of the fire box as well as the fire box sides. I give the burn pot a good scrap a couple times a day.

That has been the biggest efficiency gains I have found, keeping it clean, the firebox and heat exchanger, as well as the burn pot so you have a nice flame, not lazy.

I have a P61A which replaced the Lopi pellet stove that was in my house when I purchased it. Over the 16 years I've been using pellets, I've noticed that keeping the heat exchangers clean of ash and the sides of the pellet stove make a tremendous difference in heat output.

The one advantage my old Lopi had is that it had a built in exchanger cleaner. Basically a steel rod you simply pulled in and out 4-5 times a day to keep the ash from getting too thick around the exchanger tubes. The handle was on the outside of the stove and you never had to shut it down or open the glass door.

 

[Tonyray]

I have a P61A which replaced the Lopi pellet stove that was in my house when I purchased it. Over the 16 years I've been using pellets, I've noticed that keeping the heat exchangers clean of ash and the sides of the pellet stove make a tremendous difference in heat output.

The one advantage my old Lopi had is that it had a built in exchanger cleaner. Basically a steel rod you simply pulled in and out 4-5 times a day to keep the ash from getting too thick around the exchanger tubes. The handle was on the outside of the stove and you never had to shut it down or open the glass door.

agree.
I just my full 2 week cleaning...
does make a difference..
the ash on the walls inside the stove actually act like an insulater...
always good to brush it down to the ashpan or vacuum it out.

 

[alternativeheat]

agree.
I just my full 2 week cleaning...
does make a difference..
the ash on the walls inside the stove actually act like an insulater...
always good to brush it down to the ashpan or vacuum it out.

I do that with the stove running too, in between real cleanings. I just did it a few days ago, maybe again tonight. My two week cleaning is next weekend. On these quick cleans ( while running) you do have to turn the stove down for a few minutes, it melts nylon bristles otherwise and you gotta be quick at that. Lets put it this way, I'm not ever painting with that brush !

 

[Tonyray]

I do that with the stove running too, in between real cleanings. I just did it a few days ago, maybe again tonight. My two week cleaning is next weekend. On these quick cleans ( while running) you do have to turn the stove down for a few minutes, it melts nylon bristles otherwise and you gotta be quick at that. Lets put it this way, I'm painting with that brush !

yes.. do the same thing...
I now have a bigger brush.. looks like 3" or so...
brush it all down usually after 7-10 days then do the full clean 2 weeks later.
I have melted my share of brushes after a while...i get HD cheapies now.

 

[bogieb]

I do that with the stove running too, in between real cleanings. I just did it a few days ago, maybe again tonight. My two week cleaning is next weekend. On these quick cleans ( while running) you do have to turn the stove down for a few minutes, it melts nylon bristles otherwise and you gotta be quick at that. Lets put it this way, I'm not ever painting with that brush !

I use the cheap boar's bristle brushes (china bristle) - those don't melt up like the nylon brushes do.

 

[alternativeheat]

I've considered the china bristles and am glad to hear they work. One guy here a couple of years ago was on a search for a brass or copper brush, I don't know how he ever made out. The only metal ones I'm aware of are the wire type but the handles all would be inconveniently directed for getting at the heat exchanger.

Like this:

 

[articcatbill]

I use the cheap boar's bristle brushes (china bristle) - those don't melt up like the nylon brushes do.

Thanks for the tip, I will have to try one also, like others my Nylon one isn't looking so good, it's having a real bad hair day. Good to hear this is an option to try, also like the suggestion to let it cool for a few minutes first. I really agree that keeping those sides and heat exchanger baffles clean helps with heat transfer. Good ideas, much appreciated!

 

[Tonyray]

oh yeah. forgot t mention that for the heat exchanger,
I use one of those stainless steel Scubies. looks like a ball of silver strands.
does a good job getting all the stickier crud off.

 

[bogieb]

oh yeah. forgot t mention that for the heat exchanger,
I use one of those stainless steel Scubies. looks like a ball of silver strands.
does a good job getting all the stickier crud off.

What the heck are you putting in there that there is sticky crud on the heat exchangers? All I get is fly ash - yes it can get to be a thick layer, but certainly not sticky.

 

[Tonyray]

What the heck are you putting in there that there is sticky crud on the heat exchangers? All I get is fly ash - yes it can get to be a thick layer, but certainly not sticky.

hells bells...
don't know why I said Sticky...
meant to say thicky ash stuff...