I'm in the market for a wood insert - I'm pretty sure we've settled on a Hampton HI300 (thanks to all the info here!). Is now a bad time to buy? In checking with local dealers, just about everyone is quoting the exact same price ($2906) which I assume means they'll selling at MSRP. Regency did start a promotion today but I'm wondering if I'm better off waiting until spring or summer. What do you all think?
Bad time to buy?
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mol1jb
Feeling the Heat
I would just ask the dealers if they discount in off season. I have had some say yes and some say no.
i have a bit more than 1/2 a cord of decent wood. I don't plan to use this for primary heat - just evenings/weekends so that should keep me going for a little while.
We find that most people go into it thinking it will be a weekends kind of deal and then turn into 24/7 burners after loving the heat. Dry wood is an important equation to this factor.
Most dealers this time of year are fat and happy and have installs booked out till March, the way this year has been so far being so warm I am not as sure that is the case, but most of the sales I see are in the tail end of the season when dealers want to get stock off the floor, that is the optimum time to buy as they are motivated to sell, especially if they have to pay taxes on inventory. They are willing to bargain on that floor model.
Most dealers this time of year are fat and happy and have installs booked out till March, the way this year has been so far being so warm I am not as sure that is the case, but most of the sales I see are in the tail end of the season when dealers want to get stock off the floor, that is the optimum time to buy as they are motivated to sell, especially if they have to pay taxes on inventory. They are willing to bargain on that floor model.
jscs.moore
Feeling the Heat
Just had a Hampton HI300 installed in September and, like most HI300 users on this site, love it. However...get a block off plate put in at the time of installation. I didn't have this done at install and am now regretting it. With some of the more frigid temps over the last few weeks...I don't think it's burning as efficiently and at the highest temps it should due to heat loss into the masonry and up the chimney. You will read over and over again on this site about the benefits of a block off plate...don't discount that advice! Other than that...it's a beautiful insert and I think many users would agree, a real work horse!
The dealers I've spoken with all say they sell a liner kit that includes the liner, cap and "everything else you need". Would the block off plate not be included in that? What exactly is a block off plate?
mol1jb, I actually did ask a couple dealers about off season discounts and didn't get the answer I was looking for. One of them actually told me that prices will go up in the off season. I get it - it's in their best interest for me to buy today.
Since I'm not in a rush (other than my own excitement), I'll probably hold off and see what the spring brings. The plummeting oil costs will hopefully work in my favor as well.... maybe wood prices will go down as well...
mol1jb, I actually did ask a couple dealers about off season discounts and didn't get the answer I was looking for. One of them actually told me that prices will go up in the off season. I get it - it's in their best interest for me to buy today.
Since I'm not in a rush (other than my own excitement), I'll probably hold off and see what the spring brings. The plummeting oil costs will hopefully work in my favor as well.... maybe wood prices will go down as well...
Big box stores will be clearing inventory soon. Watch for good deals at Lowes, HD, Menards, and online too.
No and insulation probably is not included either.
As far as time to buy that depends on the dealer around here the prices dont change much at all other than at the box stores.
jscs.moore
Feeling the Heat
Go to the articles link on this site and click on How to Install a Wood Burning Insert. That article will provide a description and another link about how to install one. Also, just enter block off plate into the search box on this site and you will see many, many posts about the benefits of a block off plate. The moderators on this site can give you much better info than I can...but it's my understanding (finding out the hard way unfortunately) that a block off plate is very important if you have an external chimney, so the heat from the insert is not being lost to the masonry and up the flu. And if you have an exterior chimney...don't let the dealer tell you it's not necessary, I listened to the dealer who told me that and now I'm trying to get him to come back and install one!The dealers I've spoken with all say they sell a liner kit that includes the liner, cap and "everything else you need". Would the block off plate not be included in that? What exactly is a block off plate?
mol1jb, I actually did ask a couple dealers about off season discounts and didn't get the answer I was looking for. One of them actually told me that prices will go up in the off season. I get it - it's in their best interest for me to buy today.
Since I'm not in a rush (other than my own excitement), I'll probably hold off and see what the spring brings. The plummeting oil costs will hopefully work in my favor as well.... maybe wood prices will go down as well...
srawlings
New Member
Thanks all for the responses. On the block off plate question - I asked the dealer that I'll likely purchase this from and he said that what they do is put in 5" of insulation instead of a block of plate. According to him, that's better. Any thoughts on that?
Best is a block off plate with that 5" of insulation on top of it. 5" of insulation by itself is going to leak heat.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
It's better for them. Faster, easier and cheaper for them but not as good as fully insulating the smoke shelf and the upper (unused) firebox and adding a light gauge metal plate.
*5" of insulation isn't very much and practically nothing given the open volume typically present.
jscs.moore
Feeling the Heat
Yeah...I got the same bum rush on my install. When I asked about the block off plate I was told they are not needed and they are one of the highest selling Regency/Hampton dealers in the North East! As a complete newbie to all of this, I didn't comfortable challenging them. On the day of the install after the insert was in...the techs just stuffed a couple lengths of fiber glass insulation up in the smoke chamber and that was it? When I questioned them again...basically asking "shouldn't I really have a block off plate, they both said "no!" Then proceeded to tell me they had two more installs scheduled for that same day. I'm convinced the installers just don't want to spend the time installing them...now I have to figure out how to get it done! So my advice (and the advice of many on this site) is...insist on the block off plate and Roxul insulation on top of it!
While i think block off plates are offer a great improvement in performance. They are not required and are not industry standard. they are very rare to see in installs by stove shops who are trying to keep the price down as much as possible to sell more stoves
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
That's somewhat understandable. What's not understandable are the numerous shops that tell people they are; not needed, will cause damage or that what they do is as good or better.
Rather hear that, yeah we can do it but it's gonna cost you a bit more. This goes for insulated liners too.
Whiskey Fun
New Member
I expect if oil prices continue to drop, which they're forecasted to, the price of alternative heating should also drop. Just depends on how bad you need the heat this winter.
Squisher
Minister of Fire
Wood heat is based on long term planning and savings. Whether you can 'save a bit' up front is inconsequential.
Whiskey Fun
New Member
True but a $300 tax break is kind of nice as well. Plus we had a $300 Jotul rebate and the dealer knocked off 75% ($200) for installation (which was essentially them carrying it from the curb up 10 steps and into my house). So we saved $800 for buying when we did. Then (like you said, long term savings), factor in $1,500 of oil that we didn't have to get this year. That's $2,300 we saved. Subtract that from the original $3,000 price tag and it only cost us $700, which will pay for itself twice over come next winter. Oh and the dealer had 12 months 0% financing.
So, the dealer I'm talking with said they use Roxul at the bottom and top of the chimney and that is better than a block off plate - i'll push for both. Also, when i asked about an insulated liner he said they can do it but mentioned that if I have a clay tiled flue (which most are) the tiles would have to be removed to accommodate the insulated liner. That worries me a bit..
Well that depends on the size of the clay tiles. If they are to small yes that may be required. But in fireplace flues there are usually other options
jscs.moore
Feeling the Heat
I was told the same thing...since a wrapped insulated liner (which is an absolute must according to the staff/moderators on this site) or pre-insulated liner is critical to getting the best performance out of your insert, you definitely need to get one! I was told since I had clay tiles an insulated liner would not fit and really wasn't needed. I insisted based on info from this site and then was told they would do a "pour in" insulation. Did research on pour insulation and got more feedback on this site that either wrapped insulation blanket or pre-insulated was best. My dealer finally agreed to put in a 6" ovalized pre-insulated liner (Pre-insulated just means it is manufactured with the insulating blanket in a double wall pipe). Again, do your research on this topic...much more experienced/seasoned wood burners on this site can tell you why it's so important
axeman628
New Member
They might be doing it now. Was in my local HD this weekend and small but useful wood heat section (fatwood, wood bundles, glass cleaner etc...) was gone and replaced with barbecues. No doubt it was all shrink wrapped and thrown on top of a rack somewhere.
mass_burner
Minister of Fire
Its very simple really. Block off plate takes time and effort. My independent installer didn't mention it till I brought it up. He didn't argue or try to dissuade me, but I could tell he didn't want to do it. That's OK.
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