Pellet Stove repair cost!

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Tony K

Member
Hearth Supporter
Jan 11, 2009
173
Northeast Ct
Thinking of buying a Pellet Stove!

I am writing this to warn others of the expensive repair cost that comes with owning a Breckwell Pellet Stove, I can’t speak for other pellet stove manufacturer’s but would be interested to know.

My convection blower motor recently went bad. I pulled the motor out, got the manufacturer’s information (FASCO) and sent an e-mail looking to purchase another motor and or replacement. I received an e-mail back stating that they did not have an after the market replacement for this motor and to contact National Steel Crafters which as I later learned is indeed Breckwell. You see, Breckwell is charging $198.00 for this convection blower motor assembly. First, you are not giving the option to purchase just the motor, you have to buy the complete assembly! There is nothing wrong with the existing housing and fan blade that comes with the assembly. The motor roughly cost about $50.00. I sent an e-mail to Breckwell asking for the replacement part number for the motor. I have not heard back! Surprise surprise! FASCO appears to have their hands tied in this corruption! I found another motor at FASCO (slight modifications might be required to the shaft) and asked if this motor could be used as a replacement. I have not heard back from FASCO either. To make matters worse this motor is what they call a shaded pole motor and cannot be repaired, that’s a shock!
Now if this motor was defective and didn’t hold up and was replaced by another motor by Breckwell I strongly believe it is Breckwell's responsibility to make good on the defective motors and or pro-rate the cost of replacement. Maybe a lemon law or such is required! Or simply put these parts could be changed out every few years by the manufacturer just so the consumer cannot replace them! Bottom line is the consumer should have the choice of repairing the stove himself or herself or paying for the over priced parts that can only be purchased from the stove manufacturer! This is not the first problem I have had trying to get parts for this pellet stove. I had to send away for an ash pan door gasket because the dealer didn’t stock this item, (this dealer is another issue!) and the shipping cost appeared to be pricey as maybe they are making money on that too!
We the consumer should have the choice to purchase just the motor! It’s like if your furnace motor went bad they’d sell you a complete new boiler! Makes no sense!
With what’s going on in today’s world, the working class seeking alternate heating sources, this is a crime!

Sincerely,
 
I totally agree with you. I paid $28 for a burnpot gasket for mine. It's their way of keeping the handyman down. The sad thing is that there are people who not only pay outrageous for the part but pay outrageuos to have someone install it. It's corporate greed rolling downhill and they do it because they can. My opinion is that if the warranty is up on your stove then they should come down on the price for replacement parts. I bought mine used so I'm on my own for repair costs but I'm not scared to get my hands dirty if it needs fixing.
 
198.00 is nothing i paid over 250.00 for the one for my old jamestown and that was factory dierect the another 50 for customs from canada
 
I agree, Pretty sad. You can get a similar motor with a 1 year warranty for about $75.00 plus shipping charges.

That's a hell of a markup!

jay
 
It`s doubtful that the motor is unique to the stove and most probably is an off the shelf common type multi duty fan motor that you can easily have cross referenced at any motor shop. Most of them run $45-$50. If the squirrelcage is damaged they can most likely get you a new one too.
 
yes, most of those motors ARE stock items in a motor shop......why not just go there with the old unit and have them set you up with a new one? Im sure that would save you quite alot (cuts alot ofsteps out of the distribution network, thats for sure!)
 
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