Harman 52i Install w/ Photos!

[mr47930]

The day has finally came. This past weekend we got rid of our old propane fireplace and replaced it with the Harman 52i pellet insert. Picture below is the before shot.

http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...g.html?&_suid=1408445962889048917443577061753

The boys showed up early Thursday morning to start the demo of the gas fireplace and taking the copper line out of the ground. We were also having stone installed from floor to ceiling so they framed up a small bump out into the living room for the stone venner to wrap around.

Stove's gone!
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...g.html?&_suid=1408446385978013552886040594275

Framed up-
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...pg.html?&_suid=140844640828704063926700105831

Plywood and zero clearance box along with surround installed-
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...pg.html?&_suid=140844642512109978984534987316


When we got the origional quote there was a $700 charge for the price of a floating beam mantel! Screw that, I consider myself somewhat handy so I thought I could make a wood beam mantel for much cheaper than that. Went to a small mom and pop lumber shop and he had a big red oak beam, picked it up for $150 and started the finishing process. After a lot of sanding, staining & poly it was ready to be mounted to the wall.

Mantel is ready for install-
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...rt=3&o=5&_suid=140844691300806163907727571236

This sucker is heavy so I had to think about how I was going to mount it securely. Went with a 2X6 backer board with 5/8" all thread rod through the back of the mantel. Solid as a rock.

Mantels up-
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...rt=3&o=1&_suid=140844702281409664518327376006

Now we are ready for the stone! They stopped by yesterday morning and went to work. 10 hours later heres our finished product!
http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/m...sort=3&o=0&_suid=1408447034491014700049941198

We have to wait 2 days for the mortar to cure before the stove shop comes back and slides in the new unit. I will upload a photo when that happens. If you have any questions please let me know! If you're in the Southern/Central MD area and are looking for a reputable Harman dealer call Rich from R&D Cross. Him and his crew were great.

 

[Irish916]

Awesome!! I'm getting this unit installed next month. Same deal- zero clearance setup. Did these installers do all the framing and finishing work (aside of that mantel you made)? I'm curious what they charged you for this type of install? How are you vented? Are you direct vented outside, or are you running a full metal chimney up above the roof line? Lastly, did you put an outlet inside your bumped out area, or are you just going to run the power cord in front of the unit across the hearth?

 

[mr47930]

Thanks! So the stove shop where we purchased the unit has a group of guys he contracts out to do all of the framing, putting in the zero clearance box and hooking up the exhaust. We are direct venting horizontally straight through the back out of the same hole where the gas fireplace vented. Our gas stove had an outlet inside the bump out so the installers were able to wire up a box behind the wall so no power cord will be visible. Their quote for labor was $1400 which included removing the old mantel/surround, framing up the bumpout, installing the zero clearance box and surround, hooking up the exhaust and they will be coming back to slide the unit in now that the stone work is complete.

 

[Irish916]

That's great. Doesn't seem like a bad price for all the work they did. Did you request an outside air kit with this unit?

 

[ttdberg]

That price is a steal for all that work, congratulations! Bet you can't wait for it to get cold so you can fire that bad boy up!

 

[mr47930]

It seemed like a reasonable amount, its not something I could have done myself so im willing to pay someone to do it right.
No outside air kit for us. Im still a rookie when it comes to any of this so hopefully it doesnt make that much of a difference. I saw on your thread that your quoted price of the insert was $3900?? did that include the zero clearance box and everything?

 

[Irish916]

It seemed like a reasonable amount, its not something I could have done myself so im willing to pay someone to do it right.
No outside air kit for us. Im still a rookie when it comes to any of this so hopefully it doesnt make that much of a difference. I saw on your thread that your quoted price of the insert was $3900?? did that include the zero clearance box and everything?

No. $3999 was just for 52i insert itself in black. All the other options like the zc box, OAK and log set were additional.

 

[mr47930]

Oh ok.. I was going to say I got screwed. Our quote was ~$4,600 which was for the unit, zero clearance box, and all of the exhaust piping.

 

[Irish916]

Oh ok.. I was going to say I got screwed. Our quote was ~$4,600 which was for the unit, zero clearance box, and all of the exhaust piping.

Yeah, that's pretty close to what I'm paying for those items here in NE PA.

 

[Brew]

Beautiful stone and mantle, man. Looking forward to seeing the unit in its new home.

 

[mr47930]

Thanks man I am looking forward to this winter so we can test out the capability. 4 tons of pellets are on order!

 

[Boomer Sailor]

Awesome choice of stoves! Had my 52i installed just days before the artic blast of last winter (with 4 tons of Barefoot pellets) - I couldn't have been happier with the ability to keep my 2,300 sq. ft. house comfortably warm. Get good pellets even though our stoves can 'burn anything' - I don't put cheap gas in my car, don't put junk in your stove either... just get your pellets delivered sooner rather than later in case this winter is like last winter!

 

[mr47930]

Thanks! Glad to hear yours heats well. We have about the same sq ft to heat on the main level and upstairs so that's reassuring. We also have a finished basement so that will be a task to keep warm. We get 2 free tons of O'Malleys pellets so I do t have a choice but to burn those and we picked up 2 more tons of the green bag lignetics to compare to. I'll probably pick up some random bags throughout the season to test as well.

 

[Boomer Sailor]

Can't beat 2 free tons! I think the better pellets will speak for themselves once anyone starts buring them... cleaner glass, less ash, less cleaning time, etc.

After reading about all the pellet shortages from last winter, I would strongly suggest if anyone can afford to buy all of their pellets now, that would really be the most prudent thing to do. Once people start putting on the heat for that first time, then there could then be a run for their winter supply. I would imagine if you are in Southern MD, that what you have on hand now is more than sufficient to get you through!

 

[DIrtyJersey]

Great Job! Stone work and mantel look nice.

 

[mr47930]

Thanks! It all came together better than expected. The stove dealer is supposed to come by Friday to slide in the unit so after that we should be done. If we burn more than 4 tons than we'll just have to use the electric heat.

 

[Boomer Sailor]

OMG you too have electric heat!! I've seen a $920+ electric bill before during a January / February - this last winter it would have been worse! Having electric baseboard heat is why I don't mind spending more for the better pellets - it is still less than for electric heat. (plus an electric stove, dryer, hot water heater, etc.)

 

[mr47930]

Yea we have electric everything (HVAC, washer/dryer, stove, hot water heater, etc). We bought the house last December so moving from a 1500sq ft town house to a 3200 sq ft home was quite the shocker when I opened that February electric bill last year. I'm interested to see the difference in energy costs this year.

 

[mr47930]

Yeah, that's pretty close to what I'm paying for those items here in NE PA.

Irish- just got a call from our stove shop, they are coming by tomorrow to slide the unit in and light it for the first time. The guy said to make sure we go to the Harman website and print off the $200 sale coupon and they will honor it. its not much but could cover most of the price of a ton of pellets.

 

[Irish916]

Irish- just got a call from our stove shop, they are coming by tomorrow to slide the unit in and light it for the first time. The guy said to make sure we go to the Harman website and print off the $200 sale coupon and they will honor it. its not much but could cover most of the price of a ton of pellets.

Awesome news. Takes some vid/pics of the burn!!
$200!? When did they start that? It was a $100!

 

[mr47930]

It just started. I printed mine out and will be handing it to him tomorrow!

 

[Boomer Sailor]

Awesome news. Takes some vid/pics of the burn!!
$200!? When did they start that? It was a $100!

Yea my coupon was $100 as well. So now it's $200 and the 52i is more expensive too (I paid $3,999) - sounds like a wash to me...

 

[mr47930]

It's in!

 

[mr47930]

Close up.

 

[hockeypuck]

That is one fine looking insert. So if we have a warm winter we can thank you!