Looking to see a Garn in action......

[massjake1971]

I really want to see a Garn in person and in action. I was hoping that somebody here would be kind enough to allow me and the fiance to visit you and check out your system! We have been reading and doing the research for some time now. I have talked with Chris Holley from Garn last year (just a couple general questions), and we think a Garn system is the way to go. We are probably about 2 years out from the actual purchase and install (I'm just guessing here), so we really are in the research stage of this whole process. I just really want to see one of these units in person. I would like to get the "feel" of the size, set up, daily operation.... etc. There is only so much you can visualize though a computer screen. We are located in western Massachusetts, Southampton to be exact. We are happy to make a weekend day trip anywhere, I'll bring the beer. If anyone is up for a visit, we would really appreciate it, Thx, Matt and Jess....

 

[mike van]

Kent Ct., not far from you - visitors always welcome - Hey, gas is cheap now too -

 

[massjake1971]

Hey Mike....I was reading on here last night and saw a few threads with you on it.....I actually looked to see how far away Kent was from Southampton Ma in hopes that you would read this and throw out the offer. Thanks, man....very much appreciated. I'm not too keen on how these posts work, but is there a way I can give you my info and we can talk in person and maybe set up a time that is convenient for you? I can give you my number and you can contact me at your leisure...? Thx, Matt

 

[mike van]

sent you a pm with info

 

[massjake1971]

Got it, thanks again. I'll run it by my other half and I will be sure to give you a ring sometime. I am looking forward to actually seeing one in person...thx again, Matt

 

[heaterman]

Seriously, there is nothing much to see as far as a Garn "in action" goes. They just sit there and move btu's from wood into the water. Efficiently, with no drama, very little user interaction, very little smoke and do it for a very long time.

 

[mike van]

You know though heaterman, when a persons about to drop 15 thou + on a heating system, some like to see what they're getting - I wish I could have, not that I'd have bought different, but I spent a lot of days wondering if I was doing the right thing. Any jump from a wood stove or fireplace to one of these gasser/storage set ups is really expensive, and a commitment to run & maintain it too for years to come.

 

[maple1]

You know though heaterman, when a persons about to drop 15 thou + on a heating system, some like to see what they're getting - I wish I could have, not that I'd have bought different, but I spent a lot of days wondering if I was doing the right thing. Any jump from a wood stove or fireplace to one of these gasser/storage set ups is really expensive, and a commitment to run & maintain it too for years to come.

Uh yeah, me too. Was one heck of a big cabbage committment and step off the ledge when I send my bank draft on it's way - without having seen any kind of gassifier in action at all, let alone the particular one I decided on. No regrets though - things worked out great & I wouldn't change a thing with what I ended up with (aside from little tweaky things along the way). Homework, homework, homework....

 

[heaterman]

You know though heaterman, when a persons about to drop 15 thou + on a heating system, some like to see what they're getting - I wish I could have, not that I'd have bought different, but I spent a lot of days wondering if I was doing the right thing. Any jump from a wood stove or fireplace to one of these gasser/storage set ups is really expensive, and a commitment to run & maintain it too for years to come.

Mike you are absolutely correct.........and I lose sight of that fact. My apologies to the original poster, and anyone else, if I came across like I was putting him down.

I guess I get a little jaded for a few reasons.
The Garn is such a simple beast that there is almost nothing to explain about it. Anything that has been manufacturerd for over 30 years virtually unchanged from the original design has to be pretty much right or they wouldn't be around anymore.
They just sit there and do their job. No adjustments, no dampers, no fan speeds, no nothing. Just load it with halfway decent wood and watch the water temp come up. ..............That's one side of it.

Another would be that in our normal course of business it's pretty common for some of our jobs to hit 6 figures and the customers don't even flinch. Maybe it's because they are sinking 7 figures into the building we will be heating.....I don't want to make it seem like they just throw money around like it's going out of style because they don't. A lot of these big operators got that way by squeezing every penny like it was their last. I know how hard it is for me personally to shell out $15K for something and I forget that it's like that for nearly everyone else too.

Anyway, I most certainly was not making light of anyone's investment. Forgive me if I came across that way
A top notch gasser is a chunk of change and should be considered very carefully.

 

[massjake1971]

No problems here Heaterman. We have been researching the Garn for about a year and a half now, alot of it on this particular site. There is so much good info put out on ths site. For example, I just purchased a new enamel Jotul f500, Through researching here, I decided on that model over all others....and I am thankful I did. Anyways,...one of the reasons I really want to see a Garn "in action" or more so, in person...was to get a real feel for the size of this unit. My big plans are to start building a 1800 -2000 sq ft garage/workshop approx 150 ft away from my home. The Garn would be heating the house and the garage. The garage will have radiant floor heating and will ultimately house the Garn. In designing the garage, the placement of the Garn will be a big factor. So, actually seeing the size will be really helpful. Plus, just talking to somebody in person and getting their honest opinion on it will be very helpful. I also have to say that I am just a little bit excited about this whole plan. I have always wanted to build a big workshop and finding out about the Garn just makes it a bit more exciting. So....being Thanksgiving and all, one small thing I am thankful for is the helpfulness of the people on this site and the ease of obtaining information through its pages. Have a good Turkey Day ....Matt

 

[heaterman]

And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Matt!