Harman or Quadra-Fire Inserts

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carlschmarl2

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Sep 13, 2012
29
NE OH
From my old post: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/looking-for-inserts.102422/#post-1327885

We have decided to go with either a Harman or Quadra Fire.

My question(s) are:

1). My fireplace opening is 36"H x 36"W x 23 1/2" deep...but when I put those numbers into the various websites search, it comes up as nothing will fit. But according to their schematics, the opening is plenty big enough. Why is that?

2). I currently have a 6" chimney pipe from the old wood stove, do I need to downsize it, or will the 6" work?

3). Of the two brands, which one would you suggest to help heat (propane furnace) a ~2300 sq' house?

Quad MT Vernon:
(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/en/Products/MT-Vernon-AE-Pellet-Insert.aspx)

or

Harman Accentra 52i
http://www.harmanstoves.com/en/Products/Accentra-52i-Pellet-Insert.aspx
 
Both are great stoves and you would be happy with either one. Your right in that the specs on for opening on the MT-Vernon except for the depth but not by much. What kind of fireplace opening is this? Pics would give everyone a better idea to make their recommendations. As far as using the old 6" pipe more info is needed and I suspect that using old stuff is never a good idea IMO. How far up does it go, what type of pipe is it, etc. Is the pipe inside the chimney and does it terminate at the top of the flu or only go half way up? I have a 1200i quad so I'm biased on my answer to the last question.
 
Vermont Castings Stove that going to be replaced by the insert.

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carlschmarl2 said:
From my old post: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/looking-for-inserts.102422/#post-1327885

We have decided to go with either a Harman or Quadra Fire.

My question(s) are:

1). My fireplace opening is 36"H x 36"W x 23 1/2" deep...but when I put those numbers into the various websites search, it comes up as nothing will fit. But according to their schematics, the opening is plenty big enough. Why is that?

2). I currently have a 6" chimney pipe from the old wood stove, do I need to downsize it, or will the 6" work?

3). Of the two brands, which one would you suggest to help heat (propane furnace) a ~2300 sq' house?

Quad MT Vernon:
(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/en/Products/MT-Vernon-AE-Pellet-Insert.aspx)

or

Harman Accentra 52i
http://www.harmanstoves.com/en/Products/Accentra-52i-Pellet-Insert.aspx
Click to expand...

or (?)

Enviro M55 (Regency Hampton GCI60)
http://www.enviro.com/fireplace-products/pellet/fireplace-insert.html#M55castfpi
http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Pellet/Pellet-Stoves---Inserts/GCI60.aspx
 
Speed3 said:
Why are you going away from the wood stove?
Click to expand...


This one needs a complete rebuild. It needs all new gaskets and internals. We're hoping to sell it for a little cash.

I grew up burning wood. It's dirty, smoky, and a lot of work...for which I don't really have time for nowadays. I'd rather dump a hopper full of pellets and let it burn without having to worry about stoking it and adding more wood every few hours.

ETD: After reading various reviews of the Mt Vernon, it appears the ignigtors need to be replaced multiple times a year. Is that true?
 
stayfitz said:
or (?)

Enviro M55 (Regency Hampton GCI60)
http://www.enviro.com/fireplace-products/pellet/fireplace-insert.html#M55castfpi
http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Pellet/Pellet-Stoves---Inserts/GCI60.aspx
Click to expand...

Unfortunately we don't have either one of those dealers near us. I could probably get a local place to install it, but without manufacturer support nearby if something were to fail I'd be stuck holding the bag.

At least with the other two there are a few local dealers.
 
having a dealer close by Carl would be handy if warranty work needed to be done.....and its an important point that often goes ignored by many (heck, I wont ever have a problem, right?)

As for units, Harman versus Quad, apples to oranges, but both are very good units, and both would serve you well. As far as your opening, (at least with the Harman), I don't see a problem really, its fairly large, and you'd need to order an oversize shroud, but that's really not a big deal....although, being somewhat ornate and wood, I cant tell you exactly where the shroud would end on your existing surround, but suspect you would lose a bit of the wood look....tho if you have the resources you might be able to trim the OS shroud to minimize the look of it. You need 12" to combustibles on each side, and 12" above.....LOOKS ok.....and 6" in front of the stove to be non-combustible...also looks ok.
If the chimney is Class A, you should be able to adapt up from the 4" outlet to the 6" chimney....
 
What are you looking for the VC wood burner??

Both are made but the same company, do you want simplicity? Or adjustability?
 
DexterDay said:
What are you looking for the VC wood burner??

Both are made but the same company, do you want simplicity? Or adjustability?
Click to expand...

How much are you willing to pay? ;)

I have no idea what it's worth.

As for your second question, I have no idea. What's the difference between the two with both stoves?
 
Harman has lots of adjustability. Quadrafire is one of the easiest stoves to operate.

As for price? Where are you in NEO and what are you looking for?
 
carlschmarl2 said:
After reading various reviews of the Mt Vernon, it appears the ignigtors need to be replaced multiple times a year. Is that true?

How often are you replacing parts/ignitor on these stoves?

Reading the reviews from "Wise Heat.com" I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy about these stoves. http://wiseheat.com/pellet-stoves?startnum=11
Click to expand...
This used to be the case with the older mt Vernon's. They have since redesigned the burn pot for longevity. My father in law is on the original ignitor going into heating season 5.
 
The wife and I were finally able to visit a few shops in the area that carry stoves to look at them in person and speak with "professionals."

One of the salesman suggested we look into the Harman XXV Pellet Stove rather than going with an insert. He was worried about our large fireplace opening 36"x36" and being able to cover it with the surrounds on the stoves and still have it look good. I'm kind of glad he suggested it simply for the easy of cleaning. We can still set it back in the fireplace a few inches so it doesn't stick out quite as far.

The XXV is rated at 50,000 BTU's...will this be big enough to warm up a 2300sq' house, or should I look to bigger?

I like the looks of the Harman P68 Stove, but the wife doesn't like the looks of it. Her first choice was the insert, but she's more open to the XXV. Any issues with these stoves?
 
carlschmarl2 said:
From my old post: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/looking-for-inserts.102422/#post-1327885

We have decided to go with either a Harman or Quadra Fire.

My question(s) are:

1). My fireplace opening is 36"H x 36"W x 23 1/2" deep...but when I put those numbers into the various websites search, it comes up as nothing will fit. But according to their schematics, the opening is plenty big enough. Why is that?

2). I currently have a 6" chimney pipe from the old wood stove, do I need to downsize it, or will the 6" work?

3). Of the two brands, which one would you suggest to help heat (propane furnace) a ~2300 sq' house?

Quad MT Vernon:
(broken link removed to http://www.quadrafire.com/en/Products/MT-Vernon-AE-Pellet-Insert.aspx)

or

Harman Accentra 52i
http://www.harmanstoves.com/en/Products/Accentra-52i-Pellet-Insert.aspx
Click to expand...

I hate to say it but if you can afford it I would definitely go with the Blaze King insert, I had the Quadrafire 3100i, it was a great stove but cannot match the burn times of the BK insert we now have. I easily burn 3 to 4 cords vs 4 to 5 cords a season with the Quadrafire.
 
BKInsert said:
I hate to say it but if you can afford it I would definitely go with the Blaze King insert, I had the Quadrafire 3100i, it was a great stove but cannot match the burn times of the BK insert we now have. I easily burn 3 to 4 cords vs 4 to 5 cords a season with the Quadrafire.
Click to expand...

Cords of wood? Or tons of pellets? I'm in the market for a pellet stove...
 
carlschmarl2 said:
Not for this guy. I grew up cutting, splitting, stacking and burning wood. I want something that can be loaded with pellets and forgotten about.
Click to expand...

FREE wood helps the therapy...
 
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