It’s worked flawlessly for three years now. We use two ignitors/season at $75@.
You read a lot of horror stories on line, but techs say it’s because of a lack of cleaning. We got an indecipherable error message that turned out to be a dirty vent. I clean the side-venting smokestack 3x per season with a long dryer brush. Takes five minutes.
If you vent through a chimney, you’ll have to get it professionally cleaned, so side-vent! Keep in mind that the vent has to be 4 feet from Windows and doors.
We burn hardwood pellets. The ash output is incredibly low. A week’s worth would fill a half gallon milk carton. Bags weigh 40 lbs. If that’s an issue.
It has a blower that cycles on when it’s burning. It makes noise, but I’m so used to it I don’t notice it. It’s in our tv room, so the tv probably masks the sound. Probably very low frequency.
I figure we’re saving $2.5k/yr. We’re near Worcester, so our weather is pretty comparable.
The horror stories that I read online have kept me from buying one. I read all sorts of breakdown issues with pellet stoves. I am sure a lot can be attributed to operator error/lack of cleaning. However, Harman/Quadfire have the best reputation.
The noise issue I thought was from the auger turning. I read that the Mont Vernon is the quietest they make.
The storage of the pellets is an issue for me. I have no room in my garage and did not think you could keep them outside. Weight of bag is not an issue for me. It would be for my wife. That is one thing I like about the washed coal. It is actually wet in the bag. It is a mineral and does not matter if it gets wet.