Newbie replacing an old wood stove

[Masterpeacedesign]

Hi folks!
I've been reading through this board for a few days and decided to just ask for some opinion!
We purchased this house last year (actually a year ago Oct 31st to be exact
The home is partially a tall Aframe with an add on to the side. Two story total of 2800 sq ft.
The main house heater has not worked since we moved in but the ad on does have a gas heater.
On the first floor in the corner of the living room is a wood stove that is WAY to small to heat this house. Last winter we froze. You could literally sit on the wood stove and not be warm lol.
We had an installer come out and give us quotes to replace the wood stove but they are telling us we need to replace all the piping. By the time I'm done I'm looking at close to 5500 installed.
It's just way more than we can pay right now. The suggestion was made to go with a pellet and to be honest I'm game as I really don't want to deal with storing, splitting, moving wood. The more I've looked into it and read the more sold I am. Now comes the problem of finding something we can afford with installation that will heat this house. We are located in the foothills of Northern California near Auburn. So we rarely hit the real cold. Last year we did not get any snow but it's possible we might at some point get a little something (doubtful it will stick).
The insulation in this house is original to a home built in 1988. I'd say its average. We have lots of large windows as well.
I found a guy a couple hours away selling a 2006 model Mt Vernon. He's asking 2500. First question I have is this a model I should worry about having issues? (picture attached) It's a bit of a drive so I am going to factor that into my offer but honestly what is a fair price for this stove?

The stove the local store recommended was a Lennox model and I'm not impressed with what I'm reading about them plus I am having serious doubts that it will heat this house. I'm not looking for this stove to heat the entire house but mostly the living room and kitchen area where it would be located. Half of that is 8 ft ceiling the other half is the full A frame and loft.
I'd love as much input as possible. I need to figure something out soon. Appreciate any and all feedback
So glad to have found this board!
Jen

 

[tsmith]

Is that the Mt. Vernon AE model or the original Mt. Vernon? I am not sure what year they came out. I have the AE and it should provide heat for your home. It can really throw the heat. The AE had some minor glitches in the beginning that should have been taken care of under warranty on that stove. It kinda looks like that is the AE version, it looks to not have the heat exchanger tubes in it. You should be ok with it. I would ask him if it has the upgraded burn pot and ignitor in it. Also I would probably try to chew him down a little. I believe new they are around $4,500. Good luck.

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

Is that the Mt. Vernon AE model or the original Mt. Vernon? I am not sure what year they came out. I have the AE and it should provide heat for your home. It can really throw the heat. The AE had some minor glitches in the beginning that should have been taken care of under warranty on that stove. It kinda looks like that is the AE version, it looks to not have the heat exchanger tubes in it. You should be ok with it. I would ask him if it has the upgraded burn pot and ignitor in it. Also I would probably try to chew him down a little. I believe new they are around $4,500. Good luck.

He didn't say if it was the AE something I will ask. I was thinking of offering him $2000.

 

[tsmith]

He didn't say if it was the AE something I will ask. I was thinking of offering him $2000.

That's what I was thinking for price. You could ask him to run it for you too. Make sure all the motors work and the auto clean slides properly. There is a lot of knowledge here, so let us know how it goes and if you would get it and have questions or problems I am sure we can help ya out.

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

Thank you so much! Really the help is appreciated!

 

[tsmith]

Thank you so much! Really the help is appreciated!

Your very welcome.

 

[krooser]

On a budget? You would be hard pressed to find a better stove than an Englander… and you can buy 'em for way under $2K. Pretty? No… but they will heat your home just fine.

http://www.englanderstoves.com/pellet_stoves.html

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

On a budget? You would be hard pressed to find a better stove than an Englander… and you can buy 'em for way under $2K. Pretty? No… but they will heat your home just fine.

http://www.englanderstoves.com/pellet_stoves.html

I had looked at an Englander 2200 sq ft
1649 plus taxes I figured Im not saving that much. Not sure what other models might work for us that would be on the cheaper side. Any suggestions?
With the installation and materials due to having to pull down that huge pipe from the wood stove is adding close to another 1000 to whatever we do.

 

[Bob Sorjanen]

I had looked at an Englander 2200 sq ft
1649 plus taxes I figured Im not saving that much. Not sure what other models might work for us that would be on the cheaper side. Any suggestions?
With the installation and materials due to having to pull down that huge pipe from the wood stove is adding close to another 1000 to whatever we do.

have you looked into the refurbs. AMFM energy has them for a cheap price. (broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com/) the refurbs have a new stove warranty also.

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

Well we ended up buying a Harman Advanced with piping for 1200.
It's in perfect condition now we just need to get it installed

 

[Bioburner]

Wow, We need to see some pictures. Now you will have the radiant heat of a wood stove without nearly all the work.

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

Preliminary picture! Ill defiantly take some once its in! Looking forward to staying toasty!

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

 

[Bioburner]

Under $2000 and pretty!

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

I know I feel like we stole it lol

 

[Bioburner]

The only thing that would have made the deal sweeter is if had come with a ton of pellets.

 

[Fundy]

Congratulations, we also used this site and others to make our decision when we switched from wood to a pellet stove.


Our final decision on what make to buy came down to dealer support and reputation, the dealer sold units by several manufactures and we ended up buying a Harman after taking all the info into consideration. Now just waiting for delivery.

 

[Masterpeacedesign]

The only thing that would have made the deal sweeter is if had come with a ton of pellets.

No kidding!! At least they did throw in two bags! It's something