$3000 Max Budget for Pellet Stove - Which is the best?

[Vdin]

Hello,

We are remodeling our home and have added a fireplace. Decided to go with a pellet stove and our max budget it $3000 (hoping to stick closer to $2500) for just the stove, not including labor.

It will need to be an insert and will be placed in a corner fireplace, so can’t be too big or bulky. Our coldest winters are high 50’s low 30’s, so it doesn’t get too cold but we want a stove that can heat 2500-3000 sq feet.

What would your suggestions be for best pellet stove in this price range?

Thank you in advance!

 

[johneh]

I suggest you buy the best stove you can, Harman, Envrio and some others.
If you want to stick to your budget, buy soon because with the way things are going
, prices of all stoves will go up 25++ percent shortly
Welcome to the forum

 

[Dataman]

Harmon is the way to go. But 3k won't cut it. Paid $3500 in 2018 for mine. Demo Unit. Look into that for some savings. Bought in May 2018.

 

[mellow]

Does it have to be an insert? Freestanding in front would give you more options.

 

[Vdin]

Does it have to be an insert? Freestanding in front would give you more options.

Yes it does (I think)- it's a corner fireplace and I want the mantle to be directly above vs wrapped behind which a corner freestanding unit would force me to do, according to my contractor...

 

[Vdin]

I suggest you buy the best stove you can, Harman, Envrio and some others.
If you want to stick to your budget, buy soon because with the way things are going
, prices of all stoves will go up 25++ percent shortly
Welcome to the forum

Thank you! What are "some of the other" brands you recommend?

 

[Vdin]

Hello,

We are remodeling our home and have added a fireplace. Decided to go with a pellet stove and our max budget it $3000 (hoping to stick closer to $2500) for just the stove, not including labor.

It will need to be an insert and will be placed in a corner fireplace, so can’t be too big or bulky. Our coldest winters are high 50’s low 30’s, so it doesn’t get too cold but we want a stove that can heat 2500-3000 sq feet.

What would your suggestions be for best pellet stove in this price range?

Thank you in advance!

Thank you all for the suggestions so far... I have more information to add.

I wasn't sure how to edit my original post, but I've included a photo of where the stove will go...

I just called an Enviro dealer to ask what my options were and he said most inserts need to go inside an existing fireplace. The only Enviro that could go inside drywall like I have in the picture is theM55 model which is $8,000.

Now I'm wondering if I should do freestanding after all?? No idea what to do!!

My contractor sent me these as options... if I have to go with these due to budget constraints, which would be the best?

ComfortBilt 2800 sq. ft. EPA Certified Pellet Stove Fireplace Insert with a 47 lbs. Hopper HP22i - The Home Depot

Upgrade your modern living space by choosing this ComfortBilt ft EPA Certified Pellet Stove Fireplace Insert with a Hopper.

www.homedepot.com

https://hvacdirect.com/breckwell-maverick-pellet-stove-insert-with-blower-heats-up-to-1500-square-feet-sp22.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_adgroupid=152460483010&utm_term=&cq_plac=&kw=&cpn=20898900374&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwktO_BhBrEiwAV70jXnCQYo0mWF_qdP3kI28okE6kMPibS_EYo_YUN_WR3LJxROoOzP5srBoC4CIQAvD_BwE

 

[Whitenuckler]

Thank you all for the suggestions so far... I have more information to add.

I wasn't sure how to edit my original post, but I've included a photo of where the stove will go...

I just called an Enviro dealer to ask what my options were and he said most inserts need to go inside an existing fireplace. The only Enviro that could go inside drywall like I have in the picture is theM55 model which is $8,000.

Now I'm wondering if I should do freestanding after all?? No idea what to do!!

My contractor sent me these as options... if I have to go with these due to budget constraints, which would be the best?

ComfortBilt 2800 sq. ft. EPA Certified Pellet Stove Fireplace Insert with a 47 lbs. Hopper HP22i - The Home Depot

Upgrade your modern living space by choosing this ComfortBilt ft EPA Certified Pellet Stove Fireplace Insert with a Hopper.

www.homedepot.com

https://hvacdirect.com/breckwell-maverick-pellet-stove-insert-with-blower-heats-up-to-1500-square-feet-sp22.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_adgroupid=152460483010&utm_term=&cq_plac=&kw=&cpn=20898900374&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwktO_BhBrEiwAV70jXnCQYo0mWF_qdP3kI28okE6kMPibS_EYo_YUN_WR3LJxROoOzP5srBoC4CIQAvD_BwE

It seems to late to go free standing after building that chase box. Unless you want the stove to stick out all that extra distance. Or remove that build-out? A pellet stove could vent right out or above the stove so you would not need floor to ceiling box-out. If you are keeping the box out then you would use an insert and run a double wall flue pipe out the roof (if the roof is above the ceiling) which is a longer run than you need and will get expensive. I could be wrong about the pipe on second thought. Perhaps the installer would just bring it out the side of your house not through the roof. I keep thinking out insert where there was an existing chimney.

 

[Vdin]

It seems to late to go free standing after building that chase box. Unless you want the stove to stick out all that extra distance. Or remove that build-out? A pellet stove could vent right out or above the stove so you would not need floor to ceiling box-out. If you are keeping the box out then you would use an insert and run a double wall flue pipe out the roof (if the roof is above the ceiling) which is a longer run than you need and will get expensive.

Yes I've gone down a rabbit hole this morning and I think I need to switch to freestanding! We could remove the drywall on the lower half and do something like the picture I've attached.

So now I need freestanding suggestions that are $3k or below

 

[johneh]

This is what I did where my zero clearance fireplace sat
At your price point, I think I would look at
Comfort built HP21 Series

 

[Whitenuckler]

To be honest I think that is what you need to do. That build out looks like its for gas or electric. A pellet insert needs to be installed such that it can be pulled out and usually they use some flex pipe to allow this. That all takes place within a masonry fireplace. I'm not sure how it is done in a wood/drywall build out if at all

 

[danrclem]

If at all possible, stick with Harman, Enviro and there's probably a few other good ones out there.

Just in case you don't know, there's a 30% tax credit (up to $2,000) on some of the more efficient stoves so that could help you buy a better stove. I think you're also able to include all other parts and labor on that credit. I've attached some information about the credit. The Harman P series stoves are very popular.

The 2025 Federal 30% Tax credit on Wood & Pellet Stoves

Save over $1000 with the 2021 Federal 25D pellet and wood stove tax credit. Here is the Ultimate Guide!

welovefire.com

Harman Pellet Stoves | Forge & Flame

Transform your home's heating with Harman's premium pellet stove collection. Experience warmth, style and the eco-friendly benefits of pellet fuel.

forgenflame.com

 

[Ssyko]

What ever stove the warden chooses i would recommend to get more stove than you need. Its easyer to turn up the heat from a big stove than to try and get more than a small stove can deliver. 😎

 

[stovelark]

A free standing stove out the back wall (if outside wall) would be good way to go. Lots of free standers out there, Quadrafire CB1200 is a good choice, any Enviro would be good choice but expensive, as will be Harmans. Your value stoves are going to be steel framed usually, but with any brand, some are good. Plan for the service guy too, make the service accessible and for cleanings too, which will be done every year. Good luck.

 

[danrclem]

There are some good deals to be found on used stoves. I think, I'd rather have a good used stove than a cheap new one.

That being said, my brother bought a cheap pellet stove and it lasted him a long time. It was still working when he got rid of it.

 

[Washed-Up]

I stay on the lookout for used Harmans and I’ve found 2 p61a’s, one Advance and one Invincible RS under $300 each

 

[Whitenuckler]

Harman Accentra FS Cast Pellet Stove – Refurbished

Harman pellet stoves are built to withstand the test of time with reliable warmth and aesthetic elegance. Use this alternative heating option to supplement your heat, reduce your monthly heating bills, and embrace the power of the pellet. The Harman Accentra is a clean, elegant cast iron stove...

pellethead.com

Here's an example of a refurbished unit.

 

[Vdin]

Harman Accentra FS Cast Pellet Stove – Refurbished

Harman pellet stoves are built to withstand the test of time with reliable warmth and aesthetic elegance. Use this alternative heating option to supplement your heat, reduce your monthly heating bills, and embrace the power of the pellet. The Harman Accentra is a clean, elegant cast iron stove...

pellethead.com

Here's an example of a refurbished unit.

Oh wow!! Thanks for sharing.. have you ordered from them before? I might go with one of these!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Oh wow!! Thanks for sharing.. have you ordered from them before? I might go with one of these!

No sorry, I am in PEI, and to be honest I probably had zero options to buy an used existing stoves here. There are guys on here who rebuild stoves and can comment. If you want to rebuild one, that is another option if you can find one. Now this Pellethead of course are selling new stoves and parts as well. I have ordered from them myself, although with the exchange and shipping I have to be careful.
Also, I needed EPA 2020 and approved in every way possible as my insurance company is picky. Plus I was/did apply for a "grant" from my provincial government. My guy had to supply a WETT certification for my insurance company, and so I ordered the least expensive new Harman I could get. I was looking at Enviro too.