Opinions Needed

[RKBAGUY]

Ok, folks. I might be at that point where I put the old Austroflamm out to pasture.

I've been giving some thoughts to the benefits of a newer stove, such as:

• Easier and less frequent cleaning
• Better efficiency (more 'bang for the buck')
• True thermostatic control (rather than the 'hi-lo' of the AF)

And so on.

I had my eye on a Harman P35 insert, but nearly had a heart attack when I saw the price. Would you guys say that's a decent choice? Are there any dealers that will negotiate pricing, or are they all pretty much MSRP?

Any sort of feedback to give me something to ponder would be appreciated.

 

[mikkeeh]

Harman makes a good product. But they are pricey. In my experience,its pretty much msrp. I have a p43 that ive had for 6 years with no issues.

 

[RKBAGUY]

So, no sense in trying to see if there are any dealers who discount?

 

[mikkeeh]

Never hurts to ask.

 

[railfanron]

I also have a p43 and it runs in room temp mode on a programmable thermostat. It keeps the 825 sq ft room it's in heated just as well as the furnace does. It has been running for 4 years with no problems. Harman says you can run a ton of pellets through it before you empty the ash pan. I get more like 3/4 of a ton. I clean it every time I empty the ash pan which is about once a month. Harman says to scrape the burn pot down once a day and I generally do this but I have gone a week without opening the firebox door. It comes on when the thermostat calls for heat and shuts off when up to temperature. It has never failed to light in the 4 years. It burns any pellets I throw at it without any problems and I truly believe it would burn rabbit or deer scat if I could get enough of it.
Ron

 

[fmsm]

I have 2 of them, great stove! Harman usually has a coupon and my dealer gave me 10% off.

 

[bogieb]

Love both my Harman's. I bought the P61a new and got a mfg coupon - of course never hurts to ask the dealer for a lower price; worst they can do is decline. The P43 I got at a great price off of CL to replace the Hastings that just had too small a hopper and I HAD to clean every week. The P43 was only a couple years old and hardly used.

Besides regular cleaning, the only thing I've done to the P61a is replace door gaskets. I run that on the attached temp probe most of the time but can go to "constant heat" if I want/need to.

Only thing I've done to the P43 is add a hopper extension. I normally run it on a thermostat set up in the middle of the main floor (stove is on and end of the house). Sometimes I run it in another mode if it is really cold and/or windy out. It is really nice to have so many ways to run the stove so you can pick what works best in your circumstances and the weather.

Both stoves can go several weeks before I have to empty the ash pans / clean the stoves. I burn middling pellets so if you burn better pellets, you can probably go longer.

 

[bags]

Same here with two Harmans. Great stoves but buy in will spank the bank some. Google Harman and see if their website is offering any promotions or discounts. I printed off a 10% off coupon when I bought the P68. The 45 I bought used.

You pay a premium but IMHO it is well worth it. That said there are other less pricey stoves to be had that would be much better than the old AF you had tech wise. Good Luck. PS Once you run a Harman for a bit you get spoiled and forget all about the hefty purchase price.

My dealer also threw in a few goodies and a tone of pellets with my purchase because most Harmans do sell for MSRP. Unless you can find a leftover model for a deal possibly.

 

[dozerdean]

See if you're dealer has a used one or a demo.

 

[Mt Bob]

I know you are mad at me,and,sorry I am not a genius.But,as the older integras were underrated by the BTU's,you might want to look at a 52i.All inserts require more cleaning,there is no "deep pot" free standing harmans have,but,still one of the easiest stoves to clean,in my opinion.Lately enviros seem to be having a high failure rate.Also,harmans deal with low burns,very well,without plugging up the stove.The older ones(like mine) you hook a thermostat inline with the room sensor,the new ones(digital touchscreen) are a bit different.Also,as you can have the stove light itself,you will burn less pellets,in shoulder weather.Take care,Bob.

 

[RKBAGUY]

I know you are mad at me,and,sorry I am not a genius.But,as the older integras were underrated by the BTU's,you might want to look at a 52i.All inserts require more cleaning,there is no "deep pot" free standing harmans have,but,still one of the easiest stoves to clean,in my opinion.Lately enviros seem to be having a high failure rate.Also,harmans deal with low burns,very well,without plugging up the stove.The older ones(like mine) you hook a thermostat inline with the room sensor,the new ones(digital touchscreen) are a bit different.Also,as you can have the stove light itself,you will burn less pellets,in shoulder weather.Take care,Bob.

Wait. What??? Wherever did you get the idea that I was 'mad' at you? I have no idea what might have given you that idea.

Anyway, I'm still inclined to the p35i for both the cost and because I really have only about 1700sqft to heat in my entire home. I have a 'chalet' style house, the foundation is 24x36 with a finished basement and vaulted ceiling in half of the main floor. So as a best case scenario we're talking 850-ish feet on each floor. There is a 4x4 opening for a spiral staircase connecting the two floors which doesn't allow air exchange too well, but I also have a propane fireplace (Quadrafire Remington) so the basement is taken care of.

What I did a couple years back was to pipe some ductwork from the peak of the vaulted ceiling upstairs down the stairwell to the basement floor and circulate air with a blower. So there's at least some ventilation exchange. If I'm able to reduce the workload on the propane fireplace by use of the pellet stove upstairs, so be it. Bottom line, a $3k hit is bad enough, $4 grand is just simply not possible. I'll just have to 'suffer' with the smaller stove.

 

[Ssyko]

I would be inclined to go with the higher BTU. Just for the peace of mind that it wont be overworked. I heat a 1600sf valted ceilings through out the house. My breckwell big - e isnt the prettyest but its stiil great at -40 and heats the whole house. Just my .02

 

[Flammam]

If you decide to get rid of the Austroflamm let me know. I may be interested in picking it up if the price is correct.

 

[nailed_nailer]

Bigger is better you can always turn down a bigger stove.

I bought my M-55 Cast about 5 years ago from a distant dealer.
I made the deal on the phone with them.
I would pay Cash on the spot ($100 bills) for the stove no service or install.
All they would be to me was a shipping broker.
I managed to save about $1000 on a new stove from list price.
Installed myself and I service it.
So yes you can find deals out there on new stoves, but you might be better off buying used.
---Nailer---

 

[MtDewKid]

I am hoping to buy the Harmon Accentra. There is a sale going on right now. Normally the stove is 3799 but it’s being sold for 2999

4500 total for all parts and installation. I have natural gas with steam heat and an old boiler and I hate the way it heats up my 965 square foot home.

 

[Mt Bob]

I am hoping to buy the Harmon Accentra. There is a sale going on right now. Normally the stove is 3799 but it’s being sold for 2999

4500 total for all parts and installation. I have natural gas with steam heat and an old boiler and I hate the way it heats up my 965 square foot home.

He bought the 35i,and has experience with older good stove/insert,and is so far very happy.I love my accentra,the accentra is overrated for output,in my opinion,but works well in my small house/cabin.But,it might be cheaper for you to upgrade your NG furnace as it will probably be cheeper for quite a bit longer.Ypu gotta figure your payback/payoff.Yopur "installed" prices seem a bit high to me,perhaps others will reply.But,as far as stoves,the accentra is easy to maintain/service,has an excellent record.

 

[RKBAGUY]

If you decide to get rid of the Austroflamm let me know. I may be interested in picking it up if the price is correct.

I'll send a PM.