Hearthstone I vs Equinox

[rexmerdinus]

Greetings all.

Newb here. I've got an old H-I that I got from my dad about 5 years ago. The date on the placard on the rear of the stove is 1990. I know he used it for a good solid 10-15 years before converting to gas, and I've been using it myself since 2010. In short, it owes me nothing! It's still in good-ish shape, but not knowing for how much longer some parts will be available, I've been thinking about getting a new Hearthstone. There is no BTU or efficiency rating marked on the H-I, so I don't know what I can compare it to as far as hear output, but it seems to be about the same size as the Equinox of current manufacture. Can someone tell me 1.) what the BTU's on the H-I are, and 2.) whether the Equinox would be an upgrade or merely a move sideways in terms of heat output, efficiency, and cleanliness of the exhaust? Thanks in advance!

Jason

 

[begreen]

That's an interesting question. There are a lot of things in common between the two stoves. The H1 is not the cleanest burner though. It had a simple one tube secondary burn system with no preheat. The Equinox is much cleaner burning and should be more efficient. The btu and efficiency claims for the H1 were fairly optimistic at 100,000 btus max and up to 86% combustion efficiency, yet the stove did not pass EPA testing.

 

[rexmerdinus]

The Equinox is much cleaner burning and should be more efficient.

Ok, so ostensibly that means that the Equinox (up to 120,000 BTU's and 82% efficiency) should put out more heat with the same amount of fuel, or the same heat with less fuel, as my old H-1, right?

The btu and efficiency claims for the H1 were fairly optimistic at 100,000 btus max and up to 86% combustion efficiency, yet the stove did not pass EPA testing.

How was it available to be sold on the market if it did not pass EPA testing? Did the EPA not require passage of their testing at the time, or did the stove just not pass for the thresholds the manufacturer indicated? Any idea what the actual BTU's and efficiency ended up at? Given that my stove is over 20 years old, I'm guessing its performance is not as good as it was at the time of manufacture, even with decent maintenance and replacement of worn parts. I'm just wondering if the Mansfield would be a more comparable model than the Equinox to what I currently have.

In a slightly different vein, I was thinking when I replace the old stove I would dismantle it and repurpose the front glass door (with frame) and any usable soapstone pieces to build an outdoor masonry pizza oven. Anyone have any experience with a project like this, or any other ideas for the soapstone? Thanks!

Jason

 

[DougA]

Soapstone is worth a fair bit of $$. I was searching for some to build a hearth for an Equinox, then gave up when I could not find anything affordable that would work. Personally, I would list the stove 'as is' on craigslist and see what it might bring. I've seen some very high prices.

 

[begreen]

Ok, so ostensibly that means that the Equinox (up to 120,000 BTU's and 82% efficiency) should put out more heat with the same amount of fuel, or the same heat with less fuel, as my old H-1, right?

How was it available to be sold on the market if it did not pass EPA testing? Did the EPA not require passage of their testing at the time, or did the stove just not pass for the thresholds the manufacturer indicated? Any idea what the actual BTU's and efficiency ended up at? Given that my stove is over 20 years old, I'm guessing its performance is not as good as it was at the time of manufacture, even with decent maintenance and replacement of worn parts. I'm just wondering if the Mansfield would be a more comparable model than the Equinox to what I currently have.

In a slightly different vein, I was thinking when I replace the old stove I would dismantle it and repurpose the front glass door (with frame) and any usable soapstone pieces to build an outdoor masonry pizza oven. Anyone have any experience with a project like this, or any other ideas for the soapstone? Thanks!

Jason

I would expect the Equinox to exceed the H1 performance. The H1 may have been EPA phase 1 qualified, but not phase 2. Not sure. There was a transition period as the new EPA regs and then WA state regs went into effect.

 

[rexmerdinus]

OK, thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure the H1 still has a few good years left in it, but it's just something I'm starting to think about.

As for selling it on CL, If I could do it locally I would, but I live in a small town of about 700, about 75 miles from the nearest wal-mart. I'm skeptical how far someone would drive to pick it up, or how much that would diminish the price I'd get for it. Plus I like the idea of continuing to get some use out of some of the parts. We'll see, when the time comes.

Thanks again!

Jason

 

[firefighterjake]

OK, thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure the H1 still has a few good years left in it, but it's just something I'm starting to think about.

As for selling it on CL, If I could do it locally I would, but I live in a small town of about 700, about 75 miles from the nearest wal-mart. I'm skeptical how far someone would drive to pick it up, or how much that would diminish the price I'd get for it. Plus I like the idea of continuing to get some use out of some of the parts. We'll see, when the time comes.

Thanks again!

Jason

Shucks . . . folks that live in Maine are willing to travel if the price is fair and the need is there. Throw it up on Uncle Henrys and Craigslist and if the price is not crazy people will travel . . . just list it for $200 or so more than what you want . . . that way folks can "dicker" you down a bit and feel as if they got a decent deal.

Heck, folks in the County and Downeast think nothing of traveling 75 miles . . . if there is a reason to do so.

 

[DougA]

I drove a total of 10 hours - to get my Equinox. Saved over $2K so I think it was worth it.

 

[weatherguy]

Shucks . . . folks that live in Maine are willing to travel if the price is fair and the need is there. Throw it up on Uncle Henrys and Craigslist and if the price is not crazy people will travel . . . just list it for $200 or so more than what you want . . . that way folks can "dicker" you down a bit and feel as if they got a decent deal.

Heck, folks in the County and Downeast think nothing of traveling 75 miles . . . if there is a reason to do so.

Those Downeasters like to "dicker" don't they

 

[cuttingedge]

Those Downeasters like to "dicker" don't they

They must, they have a show about it now

 

[firefighterjake]

Those Downeasters like to "dicker" don't they

A lot of Mainers do . . . this last time that I listed my wife's car for sale was the first time that I didn't get some guy asking me if I would be willing to trade for guns, a 1987 Arctic cat snowmobile or a 1993 Honda ATV . . . although I did get the one guy who asked if I would sell it for $450 even though I was already at a very reasonable $1,200.

 

[cuttingedge]

A lot of Mainers do . . . this last time that I listed my wife's car for sale was the first time that I didn't get some guy asking me if I would be willing to trade for guns, a 1987 Arctic cat snowmobile or a 1993 Honda ATV . . . although I did get the one guy who asked if I would sell it for $450 even though I was already at a very reasonable $1,200.

$450.00??? Well I guess you can't blame them for trying

 

[DougA]

We get that a lot now. People lowballing like crazy, then they re-sell it for twice the $$. My brother just bought a 34' boat in excellent condition for $8K. Ya never know until you ask.

 

[begreen]

Jason, did you decide whether to keep the H1 or not?

 

[Rich L]

OK, thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure the H1 still has a few good years left in it, but it's just something I'm starting to think about.

As for selling it on CL, If I could do it locally I would, but I live in a small town of about 700, about 75 miles from the nearest wal-mart. I'm skeptical how far someone would drive to pick it up, or how much that would diminish the price I'd get for it. Plus I like the idea of continuing to get some use out of some of the parts. We'll see, when the time comes.

Thanks again!

Jason

There's a man named Randy from Vermont who rebuilds H1.Maybe consider having him rebuild yours.Check my previous posts on H1 for his number.The discussion shouldn't cost you a dime.

 

[rexmerdinus]

I haven't really decided yet. My H1 still has at least a few good years in it, since I just replaced a few parts. I heat the basement and first floor from the basement and have been happy with the performance of this stove I got for nothing! I was just kind of curious what the comparable current model was, since I'm all on board with the soapstone. If I do sell/replace it, it will probably be after this winter is through.

You're right about Mainers being willing to travel. And dicker. Come to think of it, it might work to my advantage to be so far off the map, if someone drives a couple of hours to see the unit and doesn't want to go home empty handed!