My Earthstove has finally passed away :(

[Major91]

Greetings all fellow pellet hogs! So......been a long time forum member and loves all the information you all and myself often give to folks that come on this site!

So......this is my situation. My Earthstove I have been using since 2000 has finally gone since parts are very limited. So my setup I have with the Earthstove TP440 is 4" pipe coming from the top of the stove up about 7 feet and out via wall thimble to the outside....and up over my roofline which is two stories.....

I have ordered at Harman XXV which should be in soon. I have spoken to the folks that I ordered from and they need to replace the piping since its 3" for the Harman stove and I'll have to purchase a new 3" thimble and terminate the piping I have outside going up the house? Still waiting to speak with someone today but my question is can't they use a 3" to 4" adaptor instead of replacing all my 4" piping?

Also I did not ever need an OAK for my Earthstove. House is about 20 years old and is not air tight and never had any issues since what.....2000 when it was installed......so can folks ring in as to the pro's and con's on that subject? I do use the 'search' function also so no wise guys

Squire Lumber in Monson Mass is where i'm making my purchase.

Any comments would be great

Thanks!

 

[bags]

is your existing vent in bad shape? You have burned pellets long enough so you are on your own with the OAK. I like mine!

 

[heat seeker]

Sorry to hear about your stove - I'm replacing the auger motor in an identical stove tomorrow. That one is still going strong, and is the owners' primary heat.

 

[bogieb]

I would think you could use an adapter and continue using your existing pipe. I believe at that long a run, you would have to go to 4" eventually anyway.

As far as OAK - if you were fine before without, you probably will be fine with the new stove. and, you can always add it later if you want (easy DIY project)

 

[Major91]

Just got done speaking with one of the folks there. He wants me to find out the brand of the pipe I have on the house. Told him I would check outside since the stuff inside was sprayed black. I asked why not just install a 3" to 4" adaptor as said we could for sure but they don't want to install a new stove with old possible compromised piping...? I was like the stuff inside my house is like 18 years old or so but it really was never touched dented or what not so not sure where he's going with that. Told these people that they should come to the house to look at what I have since i'm purchasing a stove from them which they say well there could be a charge for that...........I mean really?

Not going to go for the OAK since my setup would look odd if the pipe had to follow my 4" piping..........

I put down 500 on a Harman stove from them........already thinking I should not have....ugh!

 

[bags]

You will like the Harman and they are great running easy to maintain stoves. Seems like your dealer wants to up charge and sell new pipe to me. OAKS do not have to necessarily follow your vent. Have you inspected your vent well yourself?

It is either good or questionable. If it has been maintained it should be OK but ? ? ? How much does the dealer want for new venting?

I can see their view of the pipe being old but if it is in good shape and functional them he might be trying to make some more cash.

How much for him to come and look at your vent?

 

[Bkins]

I think it would be smart to check out the piping after 18 years. Has corn ever be burned in the old stove? It's byproducts are very corrosive to piping. There are different compositions of pipe also. Don't know what was used when your stove was installed back then, or what was available. I don't recall ever seeing anyone saying their pipe wore out so I would think you'd be good to go once it is looked at. At least if there ever was a issue you would have a finger to point at them. May be required by your homeowners insurance.

If you owned the business would you send a man and a truck out for free to check someone's piping? That same man could be servicing other stove customers for a price so the stove shop would lose out there. I don't think there is that much profit for the dealer in the stove. I seem to remember $600 or so. I would work it out with them prior to them coming. Are they doing the removal and the new install? If so I would think they would include the pipe check in their site visit to quote you a prince for a install. It may be that a tech needs to do the pipe inspection where a sales person could give you a estimate on the install, with all new piping. Just thinking outside the box on what may be happening.

Good luck.

 

[heat seeker]

Check your PM's.

I suspect the dealer is worried about liability, and rightly so. I will not install a Harman for a friend because the whole venting system is a nightmare, and I don't want the moral responsibility on me.

 

[bags]

Check your PM's.

I suspect the dealer is worried about liability, and rightly so. I will not install a Harman for a friend because the whole venting system is a nightmare, and I don't want the moral responsibility on me.

I can see this aspect clearly also and it is quite old but the question is, Is it a mess or in good working order. I am not going to beat some little old lady up on a new roof when her 15 year old roof has plenty of life still and no problems.

Trucks and personnel do not drive around for free either. I get that and deal with it daily. That's why I asked what will the dealer charge for a look and inspection. Safety and liability are always a concern. So is protecting one's wallet.

 

[Bioburner]

18 years is a lot of tons. Even if one has not used any corn, some of the pellets in the past have had other things added and might have caused some damage. I would say bite the bullet and hope that the new install will go as long without issue as the Earthstove did.

 

[CladMaster]

Exhaust is 18 years old, replace all the exhaust piping, but keep it in 4" due to the run (length), better to be safe than sorry at the end of the day.