Review: American Energy Systems Magnum Countryside
Reviewed April 03, 2013 by
ROGERHOUSTON
Overall Performance:
Efficiency:
Ease of Use:
AES 3500L
Like many people in the NE looking for relief from the cost of fuel oil, I purchased a 3500L from a local dealer.
The first year was a pretty steep learning curve.
From the get go I wasn't happy with the incredible amount of noise which comes out of this machine. Sitting prominently in the livingroom it's difficult ot hear anything but the whirring and grinding.
Five seasons on and we've replaced:
(2) Fuel Stirrers
(1) Auger motor
(1) Fire Pot
(1) Set of Fuel Stirrer Bearings
(1) Brick board
and finally....
The whole carcass.
Today I ordered a blower motor.
Now, I *could* complain about the cost of all of these repairs but in the end we've still come out ahead be several thousand dollars over oil heat.
I estimate my unit runs about 5000hrs a season so it's not unreasonable for moving parts in harsh environments to wear out.
That said, if I were to do it all over again, I'd buy a wood stove.
Sure I'd have to deal with stacking wood and dealing with dirt and bark in the house but,
Pellet stoves are *appliances*.... with moving parts....which require electricity.
Moving parts wear out and break.
Moving parts are noisy.
Electricity is not always garanteed.
Wood stoves are not suseptible to these problems quite so much.
Best regards,
RH