Hello, Ive been lurking the site for months, joined about a month ago, and have only posted a couple times. I figured a proper intro was in order and a Thanks for the site and great info contained within. I'm not new to pellet heat, but I AM new to burning pellets properly. I had a Whitfield insert in AZ for years, and in my small condo it ran us out on low, so I figured all was good. Turns out I had suspect venting, no OAK, and overall not easy to clean, although I was pretty consistent and thorough. It just always had a little smell and dust. I just wrote it off as part of the deal.
I moved to SW Colorado just over 7 years ago, into a brand new house, and have been paying through the nose for propane (old story I know). Finally this summer I put my research hat on and came up with a plan. When we first moved in our home had forced air, and a propane fireplace, that we never ran. It did nothing to heat, and when it was off it DUMPED cold air into the room due to the large vent hole. I eventually yanked it, covered up all the holes, and installed an electric fireplace in it's place to at least keep that corner of the living room warmish. The forced air was left at 69 during the day, with electric help downstairs during the day, and 66-67 at night, which usually cooked us out upstairs while the downstairs was freezing. For all this, we paid $500-600/month during the winter. Summer use is about a gallon of propane a month. So $2200-2500/year to heat... uncomfortably.
For the area I was working, price, and local availability, I came up with the Quad Santa Fe. My home is 1900 feet, but the master is upstairs and WAY back in the corner. I suspected the pellet wouldn't heat it, but it is actually better than I had hoped. I still use a little electric assist, a fake woodstove, which is surprisingly quiet, consistent, and has done us well for quite a few years considering the low spring price we paid at HD, thinking $49.00.
I have pics, as this seems the rule here. The before is the electric fireplace we used for years. Also some remodel pics, and some after shots. I installed an OAK on Christmas Day. I bought a kit from "Woodlands" for $35ish dollars, and fabbed my own stove flange with strain relief. I questioned how well it would work given the "openness" of the firebox, but it has raised overnight temps by 3* and the pipe is ice cold, so I know its drawing.
Ill be popping up with some questions, but thanks again for all the info. I am an equipment technician and I also am a lubricants geek, so Ill try to offer my knowledge if I see the opportunity.
Cheers!
Edit... It appears I'm struggling to post pics, so Ill get it figure out eventually and put them in the thread.
I moved to SW Colorado just over 7 years ago, into a brand new house, and have been paying through the nose for propane (old story I know). Finally this summer I put my research hat on and came up with a plan. When we first moved in our home had forced air, and a propane fireplace, that we never ran. It did nothing to heat, and when it was off it DUMPED cold air into the room due to the large vent hole. I eventually yanked it, covered up all the holes, and installed an electric fireplace in it's place to at least keep that corner of the living room warmish. The forced air was left at 69 during the day, with electric help downstairs during the day, and 66-67 at night, which usually cooked us out upstairs while the downstairs was freezing. For all this, we paid $500-600/month during the winter. Summer use is about a gallon of propane a month. So $2200-2500/year to heat... uncomfortably.
For the area I was working, price, and local availability, I came up with the Quad Santa Fe. My home is 1900 feet, but the master is upstairs and WAY back in the corner. I suspected the pellet wouldn't heat it, but it is actually better than I had hoped. I still use a little electric assist, a fake woodstove, which is surprisingly quiet, consistent, and has done us well for quite a few years considering the low spring price we paid at HD, thinking $49.00.
I have pics, as this seems the rule here. The before is the electric fireplace we used for years. Also some remodel pics, and some after shots. I installed an OAK on Christmas Day. I bought a kit from "Woodlands" for $35ish dollars, and fabbed my own stove flange with strain relief. I questioned how well it would work given the "openness" of the firebox, but it has raised overnight temps by 3* and the pipe is ice cold, so I know its drawing.
Ill be popping up with some questions, but thanks again for all the info. I am an equipment technician and I also am a lubricants geek, so Ill try to offer my knowledge if I see the opportunity.
Cheers!
Edit... It appears I'm struggling to post pics, so Ill get it figure out eventually and put them in the thread.
