To compare fuel costs, find the cost of the fuel of your choice in your area. Fuel costs vary from city to city and season to season.

Common Sense & Safety Tips

Its important during the off-burning season to have your pre-heating & heating season maintenance tasks performed by a qualified heating specialist. Making sure your present heating appliance is in tip top shape and properly prepared for extended winter use is the right thing to do for your families safety and comfort.

Equally important is identification and repair of potential problem areas "before" it's freezing cold outside. You may find that instead of fussing thru this winter with an older inefficient and troublesome appliance, that in most cases it's economically sound (and much safer) to replace your current under-performing troublesome heating system. If you do decide its time to replace your appliance, choose very carefully.

One of the most important questions you must know the answer to before you buy is, who will service the unit should there ever be a need? If the dealership selling you the appliance is not going to service it, you may want to consider looking elsewhere. Next, carefully examine the quality of the appliance, its appearance, the efficiency rating, the manufacturer, present and projected fuel costs, fuel availability, and even the dealership themselves. Look around, ask around.How long has the dealership been in your community? Are you sure they are going to be there next year if you need them? Do your homework "before" you sign on the dotted line and part with your hard earned cash.

As you light your first fires this heating season, "always foremost" is the absolute importance of staying aware, alert, and safe around "any" heating appliance "all" of the time. Below are a few TIMELESS COMMON SENSE AND SAFETY TIPS that you may generally follow regardless the brand of heating appliance you own, or plan to own. Using A little foresight and sound safe operating procedures in strict compliance with the appliance manufacturers recommended operating parameters helps you maintain a safe and efficient as possible operating appliance. Its up to you to do all you can to keep your family as safe as possible.

READ THE USER'S MANUAL. If there is something you do not fully understand make sure your dealer explains or shows you until you do. Be sure to follow all of your manufacturers recommended pre, during, and post heating season appliance operation, fuel, and maintenance guidelines. Regardless if you're at the start, middle, end, or between the heating seasons don't wait until the last minute or until something goes wrong. Proper operation and maintenance is not only a sound practice, its safer, and a more economical way to enjoy your heating appliance for many years.

Approach safety like your life depended on it, Because it does!!

1.  Do your homework "BEFORE" you buy.

2.  Size the appliance correctly for the job you expect it to do.

3.  "DO NOT" cut corners to save money on a heating appliance.

4.  Have your work done by an authorized and qualified heating technician.

5.  "READ" your owners "MANUAL" thoroughly "BEFORE" you use the appliance.

6.  Operate your appliance strictly within the manufacturers designed criteria, this is normally found in your owners manual.

7.  "NEVER" use any flammable fluids or fire starting gels, or paste unless the stove is absolutely cold. Remember these products are only to "start" the fire. Using them when the stove is hot or warm (even a warm stove can have a hidden hot spark) can have catastrophic consequences. KEEP YOUR FAMILY AND HOME SAFE.

8.  Use a quality magnetic temperature gauge on your stove or stove-pipe.

9.  "ALWAYS" use the highest quality carbon monoxide gas detector and check it regularly.

10. "ALWAYS" use the highest quality smoke detector and check it regularly.

11. Have a qualified and experienced heating technician clean your appliance at least once each year before the heating season.

12. Have a qualified and experienced heating technician clean your chimney annually.

13. Only use fuel that your appliance is rated for. Never and I mean "NEVER" burn any material in a home heating appliance that is not a rated fuel for that appliance.

14. Always keep a fire extinguisher rated for your fuel near-by and handy, make sure everyone in the house knows how to use it and where its at.

15. Have your local fire department do a courtesy fire inspection of your entire premises, they are generally free of charge and most fire marshal's are more than happy to assist you with home fire safety tips and rules.

16. Have your local fire department check your fire extinguisher annually. They will be glad to assist you anytime, however, most fire departments do this for free to the community only during a certain date/time frame so give them a call to see what programs they offer.

17. Make sure everyone in the household knows how to be safe around your heating appliance.

18. If you have any questions about the heating appliance, ask your qualified heating technician, not the person next door.

19. In, around, and away from the home, think safe, do safe, and be safe.

FAQ's

Q: What is a floor protector (aka hearth pad) and why do I need it?

A: Floor protection requirements are different for each stove. Basically, it is to protect combustible flooring from hot sparks and embers. Others it protects from heat \transfer by means of conduction or radiation.

Q: How do I know how much heat I need?

A: Heating capacities are given in square footage. One thing you will find with Harman’s specifications, we are conservative with our capacity estimates. When we say a stove will heat 1200 square feet, it will heat it regardless of outside temperatures.

Q: What warranty does Harman offer?

A: The Harman Gold Warranty warrants it products to be free from defects in material and workmanship, in normal use and service, for period of 6 years from the date of purchase and for mechanical and electrical failures, in a normal use and service, for a period of 3 years including labor from the date of purchase.

Q: What is the difference between a free standing stove and a fireplace insert?

A: An insert is only approved for installation into an existing fireplace. A freestanding stove is just that. It can be placed anywhere in the home as long as it meets all installation criteria.

Q: What is the difference between a fireplace insert and a gas fireplace?

A: A fireplace insert is to be installed into a fireplace. A gas fireplace is more a freestanding unit, which can be built into its surroundings by a cabinet or mantel.

Q: How do I choose a fuel to burn?

A: Everyone has his or her own preferences. To some it is the ease of operation & minimal maintenance of gas a stove. Others like to deal with cutting firewood because it may be cheaper. For those that like the heat value of wood but not all the work, they choose pellets. If you are located in coal country, you cannot beat Anthracite.

Q: Which fuel is cheaper?

A: Depending on your location determines the cost of fuel. The link below gives you a better understanding on the national averages of each fuel.

http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residential/compareFuel.cfm

Q: Which fuel is best for the environment?

A: Renewable fuel is considered to be best from an environmental stand point. (i.e. coal and pellets)

Q: Which stoves require the least amount of maintenance?

A: Any unit that burns Propane or Natural Gas would require the least amount of maintenance. As you get into solid fuels there comes a need for maintenance and cleaning. Of the solid fuels, wood pellets would be the lowest amount of work with wood being next then coal coming in last.