Rideau- I am puzzled by this--I have heard others rave about them but they don't deliver, install or service so what makes the customer service so good. it seems complicated to get the stove here and find a reputable installer--and my space is tight so I am worried that without someone coming and looking at the space it will be hard to know how to fit it. Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Also, even with the sale aren't they kind of pricey?
First, Woodstock announced about a month ago that they are participating in the program. They have worked it out with the state of Massachusetts, and posted the details on their website. I have no idea about Mass funding of the program, or current availability of funds. I think there's an early deadline for the program if I remember correctly. Certainly, call Woodstock and ask them. They are very accommodating. Also, they will guide you regarding specifics of your situation and install requirements/option vis a vis their stoves, very willingly take as much time as it takes to answer your questions. Have the details of the parameters you are working with readily available when you call, so they can help you.
I did not find it at all complicated to get either stove I got from Woodstock. Installation of the first one was quite willingly, competently and cheerfully done by the install team from a local stove store, HVAC certified (Canada).
Second stove my local building inspector told me just to hook up myself since I was using the same pipe and chimney. Once the stove was set in place and shields installed, etc, took all of five minutes or so to install it.
Woodstock's service is so remarkable, because Monday - Saturday you get the company directly when you call with any questions, and you get senior knowledgeable people who consider it their job to be courteous and helpful to you. They will discuss with you and attempt to help you with absolutely any question related to your wood burning experience, from firewood questions to install questions, to stove operation questions. They will be as responsive in 7 years as they are today before your purchase. Their goal is to keep your stove working well and you happy. Parts are mailed out the day you call, should you ever need parts. Shipping charges are negligible or non-existent. Part prices are remarkably reasonable. The warranty on each new stove is a six month money back guarantee, no questions asked, if for any reason you wish to return the stove. That warranty is often extended to make certain you have enough time burning with the stove to know it works for you: ie, if you do an April install, they'll extend the warranty to December. If you talked with them, they might even extend it to Feb, to give you six months burning. You'd have to work something like that out at purchase time, but rest assured that if they tell you something they will stand by it whether or not you have it in writing.
But the end of the warranty period really does not signal anything other than end of return for full refund including shipping, They will work to keep your stove in perfect working order as long as you, and anyone who purchases it from you, uses the stove. They are great at assisting people in rebuilding older stoves that have been purchased on the open market, providing expert advice, directions, and low cost parts.
Just a great company all round.
Have never heard of anyone who had a problem installing or getting their Woodstock. I'm sure that if you cannot easily find a good installer in your area, Woodstock will have customers near you with whom they can ckeck and get names for you.
The stoves are very high end in quality and materials, and they are not cheap. But you will not run into further expenses with these stoves, and you will have them for your lifetime. They provide a quality of heat that is very hard to convey, but is soul warming. You will find the family lives around the stove. If your budget does not allow for the stove, then it doesn't. If it does, you cannot make a better choice. They are a beautiful addition to your living space, as well as all their other attributes.
You can certainly heat your home on a much lower budget. An Englander is remarkably reasonable in price and people love them.
I do not believe there is much if any difference in price between the Woodstock stoves and the stoves you were originally referencing in you original post.
Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about my experience with the company or with my stoves or install. I have both a Fireview and a Progress Hybrid.
Woodstock stoves take 6 inch pipe.
Good luck with your stove search. I hope you enjoy the process and end up with a stove you love.
Love my Fireview!
