New Guy looking for advice on first wood insert

[Sprinter]

Needless to say, my wife didn't like how the Rainier unit looked at all in comparison to the Lopi Cape Cod flush insert.

I'm sorry you had to experience that. But I think nearly everyone here can relate. What I had to do was convince myself that if I amortize the extra cost (over what I had hoped to get away with) over the potential life expectancy of the stove which could, I suppose, approach my own, it wasn't too bad anymore. It's that big up front chunk that hurts. Still, I feel (and have felt) your pain.

 

[Pallet Pete]

Well that trip to the dealer today didn't go so well... We went to look at the Avalon Rainier and right next to it (and being burning) was the Cape Cod flush insert by Lopi which is almost $1000 more than the Rainier. Needless to say, my wife didn't like how the Rainier unit looked at all in comparison to the Lopi Cape Cod flush insert.

Now I'm up you know where without a paddle. I really don't want to spend close to $4500 (installed) for an insert. I'm trying to convince her that the Regency i2400 looked and from what I've heard works well. Truthfully, I didn't feel like the heat coming off the Cape Cod was that impressive but then again, it was in a huge showroom and not my much smaller family room.

If anyone can chime in that owns the Lopi Cape Cod or the Regency i2400 it would help since I think those are the two we've narrowed it down to.

Thanks,
MP

There may be way around the install price pelican. Where are you located what state or city ? Many members here may be able to come out and help you install it. We had many people help us along the way from the forum Dennis BackwoodsSavage invited us to look at his stove and get the run down on how it worked as did a few others. We had a gentleman offer to help us pick it up and install it too. Depending on where your at I would come help you do the install it would not be my first Insert install and to be honest it is not that hard to do either. I also have a pickup truck so with a couple strong backs we can pick it up too. We have never paid the install price for our stoves we just pick them up and provide the tea or beer depending on taste . There are lots of good people here I am sure something can be worked out that will save you tons of money and make friends in the process. Just be aware of your code and insurance requirements.

Pete

 

[jeffesonm]

I just did a DIY install with an Osburn Matrix insert (same thing as the 2000 but with a more contemporary style). Everything went great. Stove cost me $2,000, about $600 for the rigid liner. It took maybe 2 hours to install the liner and hook it up to the stove. With a hand truck and my wife's help I was able to maneuver the stove into place. Everything went really smoothly and I am happy with the stove.

 

[begreen]

Kallsop, that's a nice pic! Looks great. But now I'm more confused than ever...

I spoke with another dealer today that carries Loki and Avalon wood inserts. I'm interested in the Loki 1250i and the Avalon Rainier models but I'm worried those wouldn't be big enough to do the job seeing my raised ranch is approx 2000 Sq Ft and it would be at the bottom floor. This place is much more affordable than my local dealer I first went to. I'm wondering if either the Loki or Avalon units would do the job?

As for the Osburn 2000, I thought that would be a good choice but this is the second dealer I've spoke with that said they never heard of them. That kind of get me worried...Kallsop, did you purchase yours in CT, can I as where?

This is a lot more difficult than choosing a HDTV...

The fact that the salesperson has never heard of Osburn is simply an indication of lack of knowledge, not stove quality or performance. All these stoves are roughly the same size and design so don't expect a large difference in performance. They all will get the job done as well as they can given the set up. The main issue will be trying to heat the upstairs from the basement. If you spend most time upstairs, then that is where the stove should be ideally.

 

[pelican]

I know what you mean begreen and I think the person I spoke with seemed young and very new to the field. That, and the store they worked at only deals with Travis Ind stoves. Like working in a bubble...

As far as the install, I guess I'd rather the dealer do it, they are also going to sweep the chimney. I guess I'd just feel safer having them do it even though I'm pretty handy. I was able to get him down to $1000 for the liner and install.

I think my search is finally narrowed down to the Regency i2400. From what I've read about them, they seem to be a quality unit but I don't think anyone that actually owns one commented on my thread.

I hope I'm making a good choice, let me know what you all think.

-MP

 

[Sprinter]

I know what you mean begreen and I think the person I spoke with seemed young and very new to the field. That, and the store they worked at only deals with Travis Ind stoves. Like working in a bubble...

As far as the install, I guess I'd rather the dealer do it, they are also going to sweep the chimney. I guess I'd just feel safer having them do it even though I'm pretty handy. I was able to get him down to $1000 for the liner and install.

I think my search is finally narrowed down to the Regency i2400. From what I've read about them, they seem to be a quality unit but I don't think anyone that actually owns one commented on my thread.

I hope I'm making a good choice, let me know what you all think.

-MP

Good for you on bargaining down the install cost. Most people only try that on the appliance itself. Like me. I seriously considered the DIY approach myself because it seemed straightforward enough, but as it turned out there were complications I wouldn't have wanted to deal with, so I'm glad I went the pro route. There are some members here, like Pete above, who are proficient enough, but I'm not one of them... (I did make my own hearth pad, though )

 

[pelican]

Thanks Sprinter, I figured that was the best angle to go at getting a deal. I think the unit itself is relatively a good price seeing that the blower is included. I think I'm going to bite the bullet tomorrow and give him the deposit. Feeling nervous, I wish someone could tell me I'm making a good choice with the Regency i2400.

MP

 

[Sprinter]

Thanks Sprinter, I figured that was the best angle to go at getting a deal. I think the unit itself is relatively a good price seeing that the blower is included. I think I'm going to bite the bullet tomorrow and give him the deposit. Feeling nervous, I wish someone could tell me I'm making a good choice with the Regency i2400.

MP

Okay.

You're making a good choice with the Regency i2400.

Now, let us know after awhile if I was right! Seriously, if it's the right size for you, it sounds like a nice stove from a good manufacturer.

 

[jeffesonm]

I researched different inserts extensively when shopping for mine and read positive reviews of Regency, so I would feel confident in that brand.

 

[Pallet Pete]

Thanks Sprinter, I figured that was the best angle to go at getting a deal. I think the unit itself is relatively a good price seeing that the blower is included. I think I'm going to bite the bullet tomorrow and give him the deposit. Feeling nervous, I wish someone could tell me I'm making a good choice with the Regency i2400.

MP

Pelican there is a stove review section on this site here is the link in case you did not know about it. I apologize I did not look to see if the i2400 was listed there kinda busy right now.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/ratings.php

Good luck
Pete

 

[pelican]

Thanks for the link Pete, I'll take a look! I'm going to put a deposit on it today, 3-4 weeks for install

 

[Woodreb]

Pelican,

We have a Regency I2400 that we had installed 2 years ago. We are in western CT and have a garrison colonial that is just under 1700 sq ft and electric heat. Our floor plan is not very open - standard door openings from the family room where the stove is to the kitchen and the other side of the house where the living room and dining room are open to one another. Stairs in the center of the house near the front door, with the stair case open on the living room side (not the family room). We run a small fan on the floor near the front door to help with heat circulation - thanks to suggestions I've seen on this forum.

Since installing this stove, we've successfully reduced our electric bill by 1/3 and the downstairs heaters don't run very often, if at all. The bedrooms do get some benefit from the heat that slowly rises up the staircase, but the heater in the master may run in the morning for an hour. We are able to get a burn with the downstairs still at very comfortable temperatures right now of about 8 hours and plenty of coals to relight in the morning.
In the evening when we go to bed, you can certainly feel the heat in the upstairs hall, it just takes a while to migrate into the bedrooms, but we can keep if in the upper 60s in there, which is comfortable sleeping conditions.

We've even had it able to keep the downstairs comfortable during a power outage without benefit of the blower. I can feel the heat from the stove in the family room migrating into the kitchen and the other side of the house without the fan on. It just doesn't circulate as fast when the blower is off.
We've been really pleased with the I2400 since we had it installed.

I've been lurking here for the past few years, and decided to register so I could give you some feedback about this stove. Hope it helps.

 

[pelican]

Thanks for your post Woodreb, very helpful, especially knowing I can get some decent heat without the blower with a power outage.

I also took at the reviews that Pete gave me the link for and that was very helpful. I was going to drop off the deposit today but didn't have the time.

Anyway, thanks for the great advice everyone. I'll post some pics when it's all done. It's going to be a long 3-4 weeks wait...

MP

 

[begreen]

I know what you mean begreen and I think the person I spoke with seemed young and very new to the field. That, and the store they worked at only deals with Travis Ind stoves. Like working in a bubble...

As far as the install, I guess I'd rather the dealer do it, they are also going to sweep the chimney. I guess I'd just feel safer having them do it even though I'm pretty handy. I was able to get him down to $1000 for the liner and install.

I think my search is finally narrowed down to the Regency i2400. From what I've read about them, they seem to be a quality unit but I don't think anyone that actually owns one commented on my thread.

I hope I'm making a good choice, let me know what you all think.

-MP

The Regency i2400 gets good reviews. It is the same firebox as in the Hampton 300i which has several recent reports. I think you''ll be a happy camper.

 

[Pallet Pete]

Thanks for your post Woodreb, very helpful, especially knowing I can get some decent heat without the blower with a power outage.

I also took at the reviews that Pete gave me the link for and that was very helpful. I was going to drop off the deposit today but didn't have the time.

Anyway, thanks for the great advice everyone. I'll post some pics when it's all done. It's going to be a long 3-4 weeks wait...

MP

I think you will be very happy with that stove good luck and post pics of the progress for us stove junkies pelican.

Pete

 

[Malatu]

Pelican- are you also purchasing a chimney liner from the dealer? Just a warning, sometimes dealers really put an upcharge on these, especially if they are doing the installation. I purchased both my stove and liner from an online company and did it myself, saved myself a lot of money.

I had a dealer ballpark an estimate for an average install an insert. $1200 -1500 for liner and 650 for the install!

 

[Sprinter]

In my (limited) experience, dealers are more likely to low-ball installation estimates if anything, to get the business. Even "firm" quotes will usually include some kind of "out" to allow for unforseen complications. I saw it several times. Fortunately my dealer didn't try to take advantage of me.

 

[Quentin]

Pelican, what part of CT are you in? I'm also looking at the regency and have been shopping around here in Southern/Central CT (New Haven through Middlesex counties).

For me finding the right product seems easier than finding a dealer I'm comfortable with doing the install.

 

[Newt]

Pelican/Quentin-I'm in Weston, CT and just bought a Hampton i300 from The Trading Post (locations in Newtown/Milford) which I believe is the same company as Regency. I shopped all around and they had the best price on the unit and install ($550 for the install). I also looked online at www.chimneylinerdepot.com for the 6' liner/cap, etc. and had them match the price to keep them honest. Not sure how close that is to you both, but maybe they would service your area.n Love the stove so far.

 

[Quentin]

Thanks I'll give them a look. I have a 35 foot liner run which drives the price up.