I may be interested in installing and OAK to my Accentra Insert. The problem is that both of the dealers in my area have never installed one. The dealer who did install mine didn't even know about the kit that is available through Harman. Can anyone comment on how difficult of a task it may be to install one myself? Are there others out there who own inserts who can comment on going to an OAK? I can't drill a hole in the chimney either as it runs up through my garage as I have a basement install. Thanks
Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK
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notch
Member
Long after the flame in the burn pot is gone and the stove has gone cold, the combustion fan is still running, happily pulling warm air out of my house and right up the chimney. It bugs me, and so I will be installing an OAK this summer. Then it won't bug me. Worth every penny.
I say "With"
Can't hurt, and can only help. As Notch noted above, throwing heated air out the chimney is what got me. I want to keep my heat inside. It's not just when the fire dies, it ALL The time the stove is running. From start up to shut down its sucking air out of your home.
My pennies.
Can't hurt, and can only help. As Notch noted above, throwing heated air out the chimney is what got me. I want to keep my heat inside. It's not just when the fire dies, it ALL The time the stove is running. From start up to shut down its sucking air out of your home.
My pennies.
x2
I have to search for a dealer that has actually installed one before as well.
Boobo0
Member
How in the hell do dealers not know how to install these things? How you can trust any of their knowledge if they don't understand the "in's and out's" of an OAK......very strange
I say it's a no-brainer to install one, unless you don't care about heat loss (which I doubt)? The thing is, being in a chimney, it'll be more involved the just being able to shoot it out a wall.
I installed mine in a wood framed enclosure, so it was a piece of cake to get a 3' run of flex hose and drill a hole in the wall. I'm no dealer but I'm pretty handy (I'm a GC), so all it took was a little research on the OAK install and it was easy after that. I'm still scratching my head that the dealer claims ignorance to installing it correctly.
I say it's a no-brainer to install one, unless you don't care about heat loss (which I doubt)? The thing is, being in a chimney, it'll be more involved the just being able to shoot it out a wall.
I installed mine in a wood framed enclosure, so it was a piece of cake to get a 3' run of flex hose and drill a hole in the wall. I'm no dealer but I'm pretty handy (I'm a GC), so all it took was a little research on the OAK install and it was easy after that. I'm still scratching my head that the dealer claims ignorance to installing it correctly.
Boobo0
Member
I can't imagine that would be the result. That is unless he keeps his windows open all winter long
That's is what I don't get either. The dealer who installed mine knew nothing about it and I called another dealer who was very firm in saying you don't need one. I can't see how it wouldn't be beneficial. I imagine you would get a cleaner burn with less creosote build up in the burn pot? I know that the manual recommends you block off the damper when installing the OAK, but as of now, the installer only pack it with insulation. Is it a must to block it off? Also, are there any issues with moisture when you have an OAK?
Lake Girl
Moderator
So this is why many dealers say you don't need one ... I vote OAK, made a difference for me
If you use the search at the top of the page, you should find out other threads on how to block off damper and cap configurations for exhaust and OAK. Should also have info in the owner's manual or with the install directions for the brand of pipe. A little internet research will help.
Harman recommends outside air.... in the manual A steel plate is supposed to be installed in chimney as well for all installs - not just insulation. Review your install.
(broken link removed to http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/Accentra_Insert.pdf)
If you use the search at the top of the page, you should find out other threads on how to block off damper and cap configurations for exhaust and OAK. Should also have info in the owner's manual or with the install directions for the brand of pipe. A little internet research will help.
Harman recommends outside air.... in the manual
A steel plate is supposed to be installed in chimney as well for all installs - not just insulation. Review your install.(broken link removed to http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/Accentra_Insert.pdf)
Boobo0
Member
It's not just that.....If you don't have an OAK, the stove will draw your already heated air from inside and send it out the exhaust (not very efficient). And that air will have to be replace by pulling it in from the area with the least amount of resistance (door, window, ect....), and that would be COLD air being pulled in.
There has to be many discussions on here about it.
I have read numerous threads on here about OAK's. I just want to know how hard it would be to install one myself and a ball park figure of what it would cost.
Is this a main floor install? Basement?
My most expensive one is about $40 for the 3" rigid and a section of 3" flex, some clamps, and a cap.
If you only need some 3" flex and misc hardware, under $20 easily.
I have one on the Wood stove and Pellet furnace, both in the basement, and one in the Quad upstairs. The 1st yr with every stove, I didn't have an OAK. I added an OAK the 2nd yr with all of them and ALL made a difference.
Here are a few pics to give an idea on how easy it can be (and cheap)!!
![[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/98/98630-bf60507037f472d25abb7f5f011785ae.jpg?hash=m5BIoXBKrA "[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK")
![[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/98/98631-7295ee796ff92386662f1828685fb5df.jpg?hash=kXFKJvQJn5 "[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK")
![[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/98/98632-e23de630b2f46f3d2b31ab251a97fe92.jpg?hash=7_-8QtosV0 "[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK")
![[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/98/98633-36a8d68c88ef28c15b77c4199b6c2f60.jpg?hash=0zye_BuoJG "[Hearth.com] Harmen Accentra Insert with or without OAK")
Lake Girl
Moderator
Page 23 &24 of the manual noted above: Install with OAK or into existing chimney
The damper area must be sealed with a steel plate and it is recommended that Kaowool, non combustible insulation is used on top of the plate to reduce the possibility of
condensation. Insulation alone should not be used to seal the damper opening.
Installation with a liner, recommends plate.
Check your install!!
The damper area must be sealed with a steel plate and it is recommended that Kaowool, non combustible insulation is used on top of the plate to reduce the possibility of
condensation. Insulation alone should not be used to seal the damper opening.
Installation with a liner, recommends plate.
Check your install!!
Due to a house fire, I've had two Accentra inserts installed. The first insert did not have an OAK, the second one does. I can honestly say I see no difference in the performance of the stoves.
Boobo0
Member
Why would the performance of the stove change? The stove doesn't care where it gets it's air from. What will matter is the big picture efficiency.......
Scott from PSS is coming out to do mine sometime this summer. Maybe we can co-ordinate the installs to save a few bucks on his travel costs.
Aquion
Burning Hunk
Justin:
The guys from Cedar Mountain Stoves on the Berlin Turnpike did my OAK. They aren't a Harman dealer though. Check with Afterglow in Meriden. I've heard good things about them. They seemed very knowledgeable when I visited last fall.
-Aq
The guys from Cedar Mountain Stoves on the Berlin Turnpike did my OAK. They aren't a Harman dealer though. Check with Afterglow in Meriden. I've heard good things about them. They seemed very knowledgeable when I visited last fall.
-Aq
southbury is only 20 min from me.... if he's willing to come to me, I don't see why he wouldn't make te treck out to you too. Especially if he could do me in the morning, you in the afternoon or something too. I don't know how long it will take, but it seems doable with a 4 hour window or so...
Thanks. Afterglow is who I was going to call next. I will try them if Scott isn't will to travel this far.
Chalk up another vote in favor of an Oak. We ran our Accentra insert without one for the first season (none of the dealers I talked with thought it was necessary) but I ended up installing one mid-season #2. I can't claim to have noticed any real decrease in pellet use, but it did certainly cut down on the draftiness around the stove. And, with an 1800s house we've got enough drafts without the stove working to pull cold air into the house!
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