help deciding on a used Mt Vernon

[newbieinCT]

Hello,
We currently own an older pellet stove (kozi 100 - came with the house when we bought it). We have an older wood stove that is in working order but not usable b/c the pipe is rusted. We would like to replace it with a wood stove. Found a Quadra Fire Mt Vernon online, used, available for $2550. Not much info on it - other than it has been refurbished by the seller. We wouldn't buy sight unseen, but it's located a 2 hours away.

Since we have never purchased a pellet stove before, let alone a used one that might come with wear and tear, I was hoping for some advice/ideas on what to look for or ask about. We emailed and asked for more info on the age of the stove and what parts have been replaced, etc. Just to get an idea... Looks like this seller refurbishes old stoves and re-sells them.

Not sure if it's better to buy a Mt Vernon used or buy another brand new. We don't have the budget for a new harmon or quardafire at this time...we just moved in and everything is needs to be fixed/updating at the same time

Also, we have an older farmhouse - so we really like the rustic look you see with the Castille, Mt Vernon, etc. Of course, with that, comes $$$, so we are tryign to be open minded but my husband is really suck on the look of it. I keep reminding him that on a budget, we really don't have much of an option.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
meg

 

[smg64ct]

I bought a new mount Vernon in 2009 and have had a lot of problems with it. Let's just say I would never buy another.

 

[Bioburner]

A short search will lead to a host of problems with them posted in just the last two days. Big items going south

 

[CT Pellet]

In speaking with the many, many customers that we serve, Harman and Quadra-Fire stove owners are typically the most satisfied pellet burners that we speak to. The Mt Vernon is a monster stove that will throw monster heat. But a used or refurb for that kind of money seems overpriced. If you are going to shell out $2500 it may make sense to look at a new one. That will run you circa $4000 but the added benefit of having a brand new stove, covered with the industry's best warranty, along with a dealer who is willing to help you if there are issues, is priceless. Buying a used stove and trying to find dealer support in the fall and winter is going to be challenging at best and if you need to order parts for it you could be waiting a good while for them to come in. Just food for thought.

 

[P38X2]

My dealer has an XXV on sale for $3400. Brand new. Might not have quite the charm of the Mt. Vernon, but its similar in appearance.. sorta. $2550 is a lot to spend and not get a warranty.

 

[JoeS]

I would see if you can get it for under $2,000.00.

These are nice stoves.

 

[briansol]

IMO, if you're on a budget, don't bother with used... go with a refurb englander from amfm
(broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com/)

 

[tractorman100]

I bought a used Mt Vernon, Non-AE about 5 years ago. It has been bulletproof so far. I know I'm on borrowed time but I have yet to replace the ignitor. I have replaced the Combustion Fan motor. It was not bad but it was noisy. Had a whine on low. Is the stove an AE or Non-AE? The price seems a little high BUT it is heating season

 

[Caribfan]

Mt Vernon AE or non AE? It makes a difference. although Tractorman has had success with his non AE, that model seems to have had many issues. I love my Mt Vernon AE but that does seem like alot of $ for a used stove. I think Quad makes a smaller version that looks similar - the Castille I think. Maybe check into that stove if looks are a priority. The M55 also gets good reviews here and has the classic wood stove look. I just think that the warrenty and support are important for a little extra money. As far as return on investment goes, I paid about $4500 in Feb of 2012 for my Mt Vernon AE installed and I estimate that it will have paid for itself by January of this year.

 

[LMPS]

I have had a MT Vernon for 6 years now. I have had to replace a few ignitors but now that they have changed them I have not had to replace one in the last two years. Besides that I have had to replace a sensor this year, not a big deal, a $50 part and I could do it myself. I did have to replace the wall unit last year but that was only because of static electricity when I touched it. So all in all I do not think these problems are out of line. With that said I would not recommend the stove for one reason, the auto clean feature. While it may seem nice that the stove cleans itself, it is not. The reason is that when it does this the fire stops, and while the blowers keep going it does not produce the same amount of heat thus causing the temperature in the house to drop.
So, if I was to do it again I would not purchase a Mt. Vernon because of this.

 

[oldmountvernon]

you can get a brand new one for close to that if you travel to Mass http://acushnetalternativeheating.com/ i paid 3000 for mine i wouldnt give 2500 for a used one

 

[oldmountvernon]

(broken link removed to http://hartford.craigslist.org/ppd/4119272807.html) pretty good deal

 

[stayfitz]

Would strongly recommend against purchasing a used pellet stove. Especially, given the $2,550 price referenced. You should have many options for new stoves in that price range. I would suggest an Englander (Summers Heat, Timber Ridge) product for the DYI install, purchased new through Home Depot/Lowes, or refurbished by AM FM Engery. If installed by a dealer - consider a Enviro M55ci (Regency GCI60), Quad CB1200i

 

[newbieinCT]

Thank you, everyone! I wasn't able to respond from my phone (taptalk app kept crashing) but I'm finally back at my computer and able to responsd. Every post has been helpful and very much appreciated. My husband laughs at me when we are talking pellets or stoves and I say "i'm going to go check hearth forums". I really have gotten so much info, not just from asking questions, but from old posts and info. You guys are a huge wealthy of info

As for the stove, I heard back from the guy selling the stove. I'm not impressed. He gave a generic response about how each stove is serviced and he wasn't able to tell me when it was made or what parts were replaced. He responded later that it was a 2003 and wasn't able to tell me if it was a AE or not. I looked at the photos of the most recent Mt Vernon AE and this one looked a little different - closer to the castille. Anyway, based on the fact he was a bit sketchy and not so informative AND the info on this thread, I'm going to skip over this one. it's great to hear that good and bad about the mt vernon - it's good to know not everyone hates or loves them.

Based on what I have read here, I will probably not get a used Mt Vernon but I will research it a bit more and figure out what is the best option for our house. We have a drafty (soon to be sealed and insulated) house - so it's hard to figure out what size stove we need. My husband just wants one that has more of the traditional stove look (with feet vs. pedestal) although I agree, I like ti better, there are SO many more important things than the look!

thank again,
Meg

 

[newbieinCT]

you can get a brand new one for close to that if you travel to Mass http://acushnetalternativeheating.com/ i paid 3000 for mine i wouldnt give 2500 for a used one

Thanks for this info. I don't mind the travel to Massachusets. It will get us away from house repairs for the day Unfortunately, it looks like they are putting MSRP on the website. I'll have to get in touch and see. Not sure if the mt vernon is the best one for us but it's worth looking into if we can get a new one closer to 3k.

The stove that came with the house is a kozi 100. Not the best stove out there and definitely not big enough for the house, but it does a good job. I know that no matter what we get, it will be better than the kozi...a big monster like Mt Vernon would just be icing on the cake

 

[newbieinCT]

Would strongly recommend against purchasing a used pellet stove. Especially, given the $2,550 price referenced. You should have many options for new stoves in that price range. I would suggest an Englander (Summers Heat, Timber Ridge) product for the DYI install, purchased new through Home Depot/Lowes, or refurbished by AM FM Engery. If installed by a dealer - consider a Enviro M55ci (Regency GCI60), Quad CB1200i

Thanks! I just started a list of potential stoves. Going to go do some reading on how to decide the best stove for our house and go from there.

you can get a brand new one for close to that if you travel to Mass http://acushnetalternativeheating.com/ i paid 3000 for mine i wouldnt give 2500 for a used one

This is a pretty good deal..and within driving distrance. I'm a little wary that it's a floor model but I'll get in touch and see what they say. Thanks!!