Getting a new wood stove looking for Hearthstone Shelbourne comparisons

[Stagolee104]

Hey Everybody, I have a Vermont casting Mirrormack what was installed in our home when we bought it, I've been heating our home with it for the last 6 years but its time to replace it it. its been great heating our home with it but one more season hearing that fan run smooth all day then start jackhammering in the middle of the night me and my wife might go insane lol. I went to a local woodstove dealer and he suggested the Hearthstone Shelbourne. I'm heating 1400 square foot cape with a center located chimney with vaulted ceilings with a large ceiling fan above. We just had an energy audit and our house is sealed up as much is possible, they said any more sealing the house will grow mold. New windows, finished basement with 4" of closed cell foam in the basement walls. Just wanted to give some info if that helps with stove suggestion. Besides the hearthstone Shelbourne what other stove should i be looking at? the stove does need to be rear venting. Thanks for any suggestions in advance!

 

[begreen]

Is the fan all that is wrong with the Merrimack? If so, has a replacement fan been looked into?

Vermont Castings Merrimack | Wood Fireplace | Available Parts

Vermont Castings Merrimack wood fireplace available parts include but are not limited to glass gasket, stove blower, and stove glass

www.woodmanspartsplus.com

For a replacement, the Shelburne sounds right. Also consider the Jotul F45 which can be ordered with short legs for the rear vent to clear the lintel. Another alternative would be a Woodstock stove like the Fireview, Palladian, Keystone, etc.

 

[stovelark]

Agree with BG, a replacement fan would be a lot less expensive, not a huge deal to do. Moving that behemoth will be some work for someone too. If its over 6 seasons, sounds like it did its work, time to be replaced. Stay warm.

 

[Stagolee104]

Is the fan all that is wrong with the Merrimack? If so, has a replacement fan been looked into?

Vermont Castings Merrimack | Wood Fireplace | Available Parts

Vermont Castings Merrimack wood fireplace available parts include but are not limited to glass gasket, stove blower, and stove glass

www.woodmanspartsplus.com

For a replacement, the Shelburne sounds right. Also consider the Jotul F45 which can be ordered with short legs for the rear vent to clear the lintel. Another alternative would be a Woodstock stove like the Fireview, Palladian, Keystone, etc.

yeah pretty much, I've already replaced the fan once. its just loud all the time even when its running smooth. but it does start to jackhammer the bottom plate or a rattle starts up, I'm constantly chancing a noise coming from it. its been great but it would be nice to get a free standing stove. I also don't want to completely rely on the fan when the power goes out, it can't really keep up with out the fan.

awesome, ill look into those. Thank you

 

[Stagolee104]

Agree with BG, a replacement fan would be a lot less expensive, not a huge deal to do. Moving that behemoth will be some work for someone too. If its over 6 seasons, sounds like it did its work, time to be replaced. Stay warm.

yeah the fan had been replaced once and the stove does a great job heating our house but I'm constantly chasing a noise coming from the fan, it will cause a raddle in the bottom plate or start a jackhammering sound, ill fix it and it always comes back. it time for a new stove for sure. you as well.

 

[begreen]

yeah pretty much, I've already replaced the fan once. its just loud all the time even when its running smooth. but it does start to jackhammer the bottom plate or a rattle starts up, I'm constantly chancing a noise coming from it. its been great but it would be nice to get a free standing stove. I also don't want to completely rely on the fan when the power goes out, it can't really keep up with out the fan.

awesome, ill look into those. Thank you

It could just be imbalanced due to an accumulation of dust or pet hairs. Often a good cleaning will cure this.

 

[neverstop]

I'd avoid the shelburne, or any of the associated stoves (their cast line and GM line) if you're going to rear-vent it. I have a rear-vented shelburne and unless you have a long chimney run (25+ft) you'll probably have issues with smoke roll-out on reload and maybe some backpuffing. Mine chimney is at ~27.5 ft and if I let the STT drop too low I can still have smoke rollout on reload from time to time.

Why not just replace the insert with another insert?

 

[Stagolee104]

It could just be imbalanced due to an accumulation of dust or pet hairs. Often a good cleaning will cure this.

For sure, yeah it definitely helps cleaning it and happens less, I vacuum it out frequently and use a toothbrush to loosen up the pet hair/ dust but it a Constand effort. even when its clean it still rattles. just trying to avoid a fan at this point.

 

[Stagolee104]

I'd avoid the shelburne, or any of the associated stoves (their cast line and GM line) if you're going to rear-vent it. I have a rear-vented shelburne and unless you have a long chimney run (25+ft) you'll probably have issues with smoke roll-out on reload and maybe some backpuffing. Mine chimney is at ~27.5 ft and if I let the STT drop too low I can still have smoke rollout on reload from time to time.

Why not just replace the insert with another insert?

I was also looking at the heritage this morning as well. I just did a quick rough measuring of out chimney and its right around 25' maybe just over. we are trying to avoid the noise of a fan at this point, also I don't want to rely on the fan working to keep the house warm when the power goes out, even with the generator it nice not having to worry about it.

 

[stovelark]

Hi Stagolee104- Having installed a few Merrimacks myself, they are a great heater. Their fan (just like the Montpelier, same blower) often gets dirtied up and loud due to the location of the fan is not well protected by their rather small ashlip, lots of ash sometimes will get sucked up into the fans. For rattles and such, well placed door gasket rope will quieten them down, along with replacement every 3 years or so. I also believe your surround is the cast surround, so its mounted with hangers into the masonry wall behind the surround. When you remove the surround, those hangers will be visible, and have holes to be repaired. If you want a free standing stove, of course its your choice, just wanted to point out all the details. Taking the Merrimack's top baffle down and cleaning behind it is a bear too when putting it back up and in. For comparable heat, you should be looking at the biggest free stander that will fit as well. Good luck with it.