Thinking of adding a second stove, but need some ammo...

[Paul Raz]

So this is my first year burning. This year I purchased a Harman Accentra insert and up until this cold spell it has worked flawlessly and we couldn't be happier. The house was kept at a pretty constant 72-76 on normal days. However, with this recent cold spell the Harman is just not keeping up. This morning I woke to find my house at 65 degrees and that's with the stove set on room temp 85. I have a pretty large floor plan and when we got the stove was worried that it would not be able to heat the first floor, but it has beautifully until now.
So here is my dilemma. I told the wife that if we added a second bigger freestanding stove at the other end of the house that this would cure our problem. We could then run both stoves on low - med and the air would meet in the middle and voila warm house. Problem is she doesn't seem very receptive....yet. She thinks another stove= additional cost and additional pellets. While I agree with the additional cost I'm am not so sure of the pellets. If I run my stove on med to high most days won't that be the same pellet use with 2 stoves running on low - med ? Maybe I'm reaching here, but I want this pellet stove(s) idea to be successful. I was thinking of adding a Harman P68. Are the cheaper in the spring, summer? Any input or ammo would help. Tks

 

[P38X2]

If you sell the Accentra, you may only need the P68 and a small circulation fan. Those things are beasts!

 

[Paul Raz]

If you sell the Accentra, you may only need the P68 and a small circulation fan. Those things are beasts!

Think she would rather sell me first. She loves the look and everything else about the accentra.

 

[P38X2]

Lol, I hear ya. The P series are all go and no show in a lot of peoples eyes.

 

[P38X2]

Just realized in your post and avatar, it's an insert. Looks great and idk if I'd swap that out either.

 

[Paul Raz]

Just realized in your post and avatar, it's an insert. Looks great and idk if I'd swap that out either.

Thanks. She loves it and so do I. It actually finishes off the room.

 

[silverfox103]

I had a similar problem. We bought a Harman P68 5 years ago. We have an "L" shaped 2300 sq. ft. ranch. There was not a central spot for the stove, so we put it in the best spot. Unfortunately, the room we spend most of the time in, is quite a distance away from the stove. On cold days that room would be 64 to 67 degrees. So to supplement the heat, I turned on the oil boiler with just one zone. It worked OK, but I didn't like using the oil. Two years ago, I had a chance to pick up a used Harman PP38. I had it installed in the TV room where we spend the time. It is central to the back 3 rooms. That did it, between the 2 stoves, the house is warm as toast. We always shut the 2nd stove off when we go to bed and sometimes during the day.

You didn't say how big your house is, but you may not have to get a big stove, a smaller one will probably do the trick, such as a P38 or a P43. As for using more fuel, with one stove we used 226 bags of pellets plus oil. With both stoves we used 309 bags of pellets and no oil.

Tom C.

 

[Bioburner]

Why new if slightly used will do. P series can be dressed up too. The P68 IMO would be overkill. As the clock runs down on the cold season keep an eye on CL or post for a pellet stove. Never know you may get your P68 and venting for less than half of new. Harman's Pseries are easy to clean and maintain and repair if needed. I have my eye on a Accentra for 1300 but the distance won't be doable till I get the company to pay for it when I start travel in April.

 

[bill3rail]

Sorry, I live in NY and can no longer afford to give away ammo! But, I will give a you box of 7.62X39 if you really need it.
J/K, do you have the space on the other side of the house to install another stove?
Does she do the cleaning and loading of the stove? If she does, than you may be out of luck!
If the cost is the only factor, than you can not argue with it, unless you pull the "You won't believe this deal I got from Hearth.com on a new X-Brand pellet stove. Then again, if she reads Hearth, I can not help you.

Bill

 

[briansol]

I say go for it if you want. I honestly want to put a woodstove in the other side of my house. That way, I have not only more balanced heat, but yet another choice of fuel. Run the pellet most the time, fire up the wood hog when it's super cold, or use the oil if i'm lazy or will be away for a few days. OR, if times change, use what ever is cheaper. Or, if its super cold, combo off 2 or more.

I think 2 pellet stoves on low-med would still use more than 1 on med-high. but not by much. maybe 1/2 a bag more per day? it really depends though.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

So this is my first year burning. This year I purchased a Harman Accentra insert and up until this cold spell it has worked flawlessly and we couldn't be happier. The house was kept at a pretty constant 72-76 on normal days. However, with this recent cold spell the Harman is just not keeping up. This morning I woke to find my house at 65 degrees and that's with the stove set on room temp 85. I have a pretty large floor plan and when we got the stove was worried that it would not be able to heat the first floor, but it has beautifully until now.
So here is my dilemma. I told the wife that if we added a second bigger freestanding stove at the other end of the house that this would cure our problem. We could then run both stoves on low - med and the air would meet in the middle and voila warm house. Problem is she doesn't seem very receptive....yet. She thinks another stove= additional cost and additional pellets. While I agree with the additional cost I'm am not so sure of the pellets. If I run my stove on med to high most days won't that be the same pellet use with 2 stoves running on low - med ? Maybe I'm reaching here, but I want this pellet stove(s) idea to be successful. I was thinking of adding a Harman P68. Are the cheaper in the spring, summer? Any input or ammo would help. Tks

I've got two Harmans (Accenta Insert in the family room and P-43 in the basement). I could not be happier. I run the P-43 on # 2 stove temp and have the insert set on 67 degrees in room temp. My house (2700 sq ft is a comfortable 72 degree's).

 

[Paul Raz]

Sorry, I live in NY and can no longer afford to give away ammo! But, I will give a you box of 7.62X39 if you really need it.
J/K, do you have the space on the other side of the house to install another stove?
Does she do the cleaning and loading of the stove? If she does, than you may be out of luck!
If the cost is the only factor, than you can not argue with it, unless you pull the "You won't believe this deal I got from Hearth.com on a new X-Brand pellet stove. Then again, if she reads Hearth, I can not help you.
Lol. Tks. No I do the cleaning and loading.

Bill

 

[Justin M]

If it's only a problem a few days a year why not just turn the heat up or use a space heater? I know that's no fun economically I think it would make sense.

 

[Paul Raz]

If it's only a problem a few days a year why not just turn the heat up or use a space heater? I know that's no fun economically I think it would make sense.

Well that s the problem, not sure how long this will last and with all these weather changes how often this will happen. Want to avoid oil use as much as possible.