I'd appreciate any feedback on my plan. I have a 2-story, 1500 sq. ft. home in a cold suburb outside of Boston. I've re-insulated my attic, sealed up window leaks as best as possible but it's an old house (1928, but solid) and I'm spending $3600 a year on oil heat. My oil boiler heats my hot water too. I have a masonry fireplace in the middle of my house, first floor, not against an outside wall. (I have a removable foam insert in there to save heating costs.) My plan is to insert a Harman P35I into the fireplace. I like the Harman for the look and reputation. I live alone with no kids crawling around so I don't need to blast the heat and I think the P35 is big enough for me. I keep my house cool and wear a sweater. (But, again, I'm PAYING $3600 A YEAR on oil.)
I'm VERY handy but I don't want to climb my 2 1/2 stories to my roof to try the install myself. (My chimney top is within 30 feet of the stove.) So I asked around and my guy says he can install it with the vent through the existing chimney, with the $100 Harman rebate, for $4088. Seems very reasonable. However, he said I don't need an OAK because of the fact my house isn't sealed up tight.
So, I respect the expertise i've seen on this site and would like to ask: what's your overall thoughts about the stove, install costs, OAK issue? I'm ready to pull the trigger, I think, by year's end to get the $300 tax credit. But I'd be interested in all thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
I'm VERY handy but I don't want to climb my 2 1/2 stories to my roof to try the install myself. (My chimney top is within 30 feet of the stove.) So I asked around and my guy says he can install it with the vent through the existing chimney, with the $100 Harman rebate, for $4088. Seems very reasonable. However, he said I don't need an OAK because of the fact my house isn't sealed up tight.
So, I respect the expertise i've seen on this site and would like to ask: what's your overall thoughts about the stove, install costs, OAK issue? I'm ready to pull the trigger, I think, by year's end to get the $300 tax credit. But I'd be interested in all thoughts. Many thanks in advance.