Used Harman Accentra purchase, self installation, advice?

[womaus]

Greetings,

New enrollee in your forum, though in the past 2 months I think I’ve read every post here related to pellet stove use, operation, repair, maintenance, etc. My wife misses me.

I’m looking at a 7 year in use Harman Accentra purchase, manufacturer date of March 2006. In use since 2007. I was able to view the stove yesterday, run it through a test mode. Had a friend with me that has had an Accentra in operation for the past 11 years to assist with his knowledge.

The stove is in excellent “refurbished” condition, it’s pretty clear that the machine recently went through an inside / outside cleaning and painting. Looks nice, seems to run well with no squeaks from the auger, the blowers appear to be quiet. The seller states he’s going to wood heat exclusively (citing the free aspect of cordwood where he is). No way to verify this though.

The glass is clear, almost to the point of a possibility of it being replaced recently. I was told it is the original.

Interior burn pot, auger, chamber, cast heat shields etc are super clean. Again, no odd noises etc.

I was able to view a bit of the underneath, this too looks clean. I did not pull the back shrouds off to view the interior (no tools available, shame on me), but I’m betting it’s as clean as the rest of the machine.

It is missing the filigree component upper front of the stove. I did not notice that when I was viewing the stove, only when later showing my wife a picture of the actual stove. I’ve viewed another Accentra to determine what exactly would be needed to make right. Link to another pic on hearth.com that shows the filigree:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/harman-pellet-stove-jpg.125505/

That appears to be a bolt-in decorative / safety component, it should be available somewhere somehow. I believe it is needed, to keep little fingers out of the heat exchanger areas.

Otherwise it looks to be in very good shape.

I’ve talked with the local fire department, have the Building and Zoning Approval Form in place. Talking with the Building and Zoning they state there is no problem with doing a self-install. I’ll talk with my home insurance company also prior to any wall cutting. Installation will be through the wall, with OAK supplied. I see no issues with installing this myself.

Carbon Dioxide (battery), smoke (battery), ceiling mounted heat (hard wired) sensors are all in correct place on all floors of the house. I plan on purchasing an APC UPS to provide spike prevention and 30 minutes or so of run time in the event of a power outage (we’ve not had an outage of more than a 10 minutes since the great northeast blackout of 1965…underground electrical supply is a good thing). Floor protection will be in place.

So…here’s the question: What do you consider the value to be? There was a recent thread asking the same questions, their Accentra appeared to be a steal at $1,000.00. I wish this is what my seller was asking…

I’ve priced new, same model. Currently at $3800.00, there are a few coupons out there for $100.00 off. Store installation adds on another estimated $1200.00. Sounds like $5000.00 if I go new, with “professional” installation.

To recap: Seems to be excellent condition, just missing the filigree. Appears to be a runner.

Ideas? What do you think is a good offer?

I’ll hold off on revealing what they’re asking for a bit. I'll provide all in a later post.

Many thanks for the info you’ve all already provided through the forum, and for the future hand holding I’m hoping you’ll provide.

 

[jackman]

Start low and work up. I would start at $750.

 

[johneh]

Check what other used stoves are selling for in your area
This will give the amount other people are paying
and what the market will bear and make a reasonable off from there
around here a stove of that age it would be in the 6 to 8 hundred dollar range

 

[Tim_M]

I paid $1500 for my 7 year old Accentra insert last year. And it needed a new ignitor at the time.

 

[Peterfield]

I paid $1500 for my 7 year old Accentra insert last year. And it needed a new ignitor at the time.

I agree that if you get it at $1500 or less you will be doing well. I did buy new but was looking for a good used stove and the advice I got was make sure you have a reliable independent technician that can work on your stove because it's no secret that many dealers, including Harman dealers, will only service what they sell.

 

[womaus]

Many thanks for the replies so far.

The first couple of reply posts scared me. In my area it seems you can get a 7 year old Englander for $700.00. Anything Harman branded easily starts in the $2000.00 range (which is what the seller is looking for here).

I'm considering making an offer somewhere between $1000.00 to $1500.00, I'm sure he'll balk at the offer. One never knows though.

Still looking for a better offer out there.

My other thought is going new with a Ravelli RV80 or RV100 Classic. Call me crazy.

 

[bcarton]

Would the seller be willing to replace the part before the sale, and you could factor that into your offer? For all you know, it's a $500 part. $2000 is the low end for a used Accentra around here, at least during heating season, but I've never seen one for sale that was missing that piece.

 

[womaus]

I'm not too far from Pelham, just a bit south an hour or so.

I've sent a message to him that at the current price he's asking I'll keep looking for another, I'm hesitant to get back to him with a price that I would find acceptable. So goes the buying and selling of used goods. If he's a motivated seller he may get back to me, he knows I'm interested.

 

[bcarton]

Accentras are very well regarded, and I would absolutely get one if I could afford it. A friend of mine scored one for $1200, but that was in July. Others here could tell you about availability of parts if the local dealer doesn't want to sell to you.

Try to find out the cost of the part, and whether you could get your hands on one. Then offer the guy $1200. I see lots of of Accentras for sale at $2500, but some of them stay for sale for a long, long time.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

I would gladly go to $1800 or so for it. Offer $1550, he wants $2k. Split it at $1800 and he feels like he got the better. Then take it home and install it. Sounds like a beauty. I just paid $1200 for a 2 year old Quad Santa Fe and I'm thrilled. Depends a lot on local market and availability, but those offering sub $1500 are unlikely to go home with a stove in our area, for a Harman. Those under $1000 would just be laughed at or ignored.

 

[womaus]

Asking price is $2200.00. He seemed pretty firm at the time. As I stated in a previous post if he's motivated I'm available for the haggling.

Haven't been able to find a price for the missing part (did a Goole for "Accentra filigree replacement" and the first hit was for this thread. Google is quick...).

I'm going to think about it overnight, am currently looking into viewing a Whitfield in the near area. Much more reasonable price.

This stove will not be used for primary heat, more so for comfort level on the first floor of the house. If there's a bit more maintenance involved it's not a deal breaker, I envision no more than 6 hours of use a day.

Many thanks to all for all of the replies. Very helpful.

 

[bcarton]

I think I found the part, it's the "cast air grill" and it's about $20 if you can find one. Part # 3-00-247114.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

I own a Whit, and love it. But if no ignitor, you may well regret it. I just picked up a 2-year old Quad to replace the Whit (also have a Quad MVAE), and will move the Whit out to my shop. We bought our first stove to take the chill off a family room 6 years ago, but it has become our primary heat source for over 3000 SF simply because it works so incredibly well (HVAC is heat pump). Thus, you may use it more than you think. I would not buy another Whit largely because of the lack of an ignitor on most models, despite the fact that they are wonderful old workhorses.

 

[womaus]

I think I found the part, it's the "cast air grill" and it's about $20 if you can find one. Part # 3-00-247114.

While you were researching this I also found what I believe is to be the same part at http://dewaldandlengle.com

I've sent them an email asking for the availability and cost.

$20.00? If so, it's the cheapest item on the stove. Apart from the miscelaneous screws....

Many thanks for your help.

 

[womaus]

I own a Whit, and love it. But if no ignitor, you may well regret it.

I understand your thinking here. I may need to explain a bit more our situation.

We are a bit in the odd category of human beings, at least our friends tell us that.

Our house, during the winter, rarely gets above 58 degrees. Yes, 58. By choice. Sleeping temp overnight is usually 50 degrees. I know, crazy. We own a lot of sweaters, and nice heavy socks. But, we never get sick. The kids never got sick. Hell, nothing (as in germs) could live in the house at those temps besides us. The cats have luxurious coats of fur. We've been doing this for many many years.

That said, we're getting older. The cold has crept in a bit to the bones. The stove will make the house a bit more comfortable.

We've got a ten room house, 3 floors. 100 years old, almost. Recently (within the past 15 years) insulated with blown in cellulose, all original windows replaced with double pane. Gas fired boiler for steam heat, with the old cast iron radiators. One "zone", not efficient at all.

Last kid is off to college, no need to heat but 3 rooms during the day. Late evening opening up doors on the first floor to the second will allow the heat on the first floor to flood up to the second floor (bedroom and bathroom open, other rooms closed up), most likely getting it well above the usual 50 degrees.

The stove will be installed in the room we will be spending most of our time. We tend to do a lot of indoor cooking through the winter (summertime is charcoal time outdoors), this keeps the kitchen at a very comfortable temperature. The stove ~should~ make a big difference over the winter.

The idea of the entire house getting heated ever again is slim. The stove will be more of a convenient supplemental device. I fear though that we may get used to the excess heat. May need to become snowbirds....

So as for the Whitfield, no ignitor? May not be a deal breaker. I'll know more after I see it in operation.

Thanks for the reply. Again, very helpful. Good to have other input.

 

[bogieb]

Many thanks for the replies so far.

The first couple of reply posts scared me. In my area it seems you can get a 7 year old Englander for $700.00. Anything Harman branded easily starts in the $2000.00 range (which is what the seller is looking for here).

I'm considering making an offer somewhere between $1000.00 to $1500.00, I'm sure he'll balk at the offer. One never knows though.

Still looking for a better offer out there.

My other thought is going new with a Ravelli RV80 or RV100 Classic. Call me crazy.

If you are looking at prices on CL, that is what people wish they could get, but in reality they are taking less. I got my 3 YO P43 for 1k even. Okay, they were moving to FL in the spring - but they started at 2k. If you aren't desperate to buy this week, make your offer and if he takes it fine (or at least budges enough to make haggling worth it). Otherwise say thanks and keep looking. If the stove is still there in 7-10 days, then make the same offer (or a bit more) and see what happens. Worst thing that can happen is they say No

Also, if you buy a new stove that doesn't' mean they have to install it. You could still do your own install and save money that way.

 

[womaus]

If you are looking at prices on CL, that is what people wish they could get, but in reality they are taking less.

Also, if you buy a new stove that doesn't' mean they have to install it. You could still do your own install and save money that way.

I'm well versed in the Craigslist routine, been buying and selling for years now.My feeling with this stove was that the price was pretty firm, as it just got posted within the few hours that I contacted him. Looking through the local Craigslist now I see that the stove is not listed. My idea was to wait it out a few days, then place an offer. That routine has worked for me in the past. Ah well, there will be others. Never fall in love with the first one you see.

Buy new, self install? The private dealers certainly don't like to hear that. Better to state that I would be replacing the same model stove, no need for installation.

 

[Peterfield]

Here's s couple of examples of a not-too-bad price on CL:

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/hsh/5287237319.html)

(broken link removed to http://maine.craigslist.org/for/5285671475.html)

I've seen others go for $1200 to $1500 over the past month. There are folks switching out to other heating choices with lower LP, NG and oil prices.

 

[JimD]

I'm wondering if I bought that stove...was it in Hardwick/Gilbertsville Ma.? Same stove, same cost, I macula te condition but had the cast air grate on it. I installed it last night and runs perfect. If it was the one you were looking at sorry, just saw this post. There are others out there much less money. If it's different one cool ! I'm happy with the 2k I paid got the stove pipe kit with it and went right into my chimney

 

[JimD]

 

[bogieb]

Buy new, self install? The private dealers certainly don't like to hear that. Better to state that I would be replacing the same model stove, no need for installation.

Who cares what they like to hear? Especially if you already have the piping (I would expect the install price to include pipe anyway). If you have them deliver it, they may throw in a delivery charge, but there is not a reason in the world that they cannot sell it to you without install. In fact, a lot of dealers actually sub out the install out around here.

EDIT: Ahh, just re-read you post, and yes, it would certainly be easier to tell them you are replacing a stove so there is no need for install.

 

[bogieb]

View attachment 165345

Dog looks like he is getting comfy!

 

[womaus]

View attachment 165345

Yep..that's the one. I pretty much knew it was going to go for near the $2200.00 he was asking. So he did have the vent filigree cover?

Good luck with it.

And I'll keep looking.

 

[JimD]

Yep..that's the one. I pretty much knew it was going to go for near the $2200.00 he was asking. So he did have the vent filigree cover?

Good luck with it.

And I'll keep looking.

Aww man sorry. He said he had some that wanted to see it. The filigree ?Are you talking about this in the picture? The stove was ready to go.

 

[womaus]

Here's s couple of examples of a not-too-bad price on CL:

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/hsh/5287237319.html)

(broken link removed to http://maine.craigslist.org/for/5285671475.html)

I've seen others go for $1200 to $1500 over the past month. There are folks switching out to other heating choices with lower LP, NG and oil prices.

That's what I'm hoping to see happen, there should quite a bit more to choose from.