How do you rate Franco Belge woodburners?
Discussion
Looked around but best website we can find is whatstove.co.uk - which doesn't have any reviews for the Ardenne model in particular which we are looking at.
Have seen a few mixed opinions about the quality of some of the other models in the range, so just wondered what others thoughts are?
Our alternative in a Jotul F600, but when I found out the price I promptly told the wife otherwise
Also, did you buy from an approved supplier (I beilieve there is only one in the UK) or from whereever you got the best price. The wording suggests that only approved suppliers give out the 5 year warranty - although the shop we went to said they register in their name, so any problems go to the in the first instance. Whilst this sounds ok on the one hand (they suggest it will be a factory order with 6 week lead time), I do wonder what is the actual warranty start date if it's a resale unit, and where we stand if the local supplier goes bust...
Any thoughts appreciated!
GR
Have seen a few mixed opinions about the quality of some of the other models in the range, so just wondered what others thoughts are?
Our alternative in a Jotul F600, but when I found out the price I promptly told the wife otherwise
Also, did you buy from an approved supplier (I beilieve there is only one in the UK) or from whereever you got the best price. The wording suggests that only approved suppliers give out the 5 year warranty - although the shop we went to said they register in their name, so any problems go to the in the first instance. Whilst this sounds ok on the one hand (they suggest it will be a factory order with 6 week lead time), I do wonder what is the actual warranty start date if it's a resale unit, and where we stand if the local supplier goes bust...
Any thoughts appreciated!
GR
You could always contact BRE (Building Research Establishment). They are the guys who rate housing etc using the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). They also worked with the government to help create the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Even though they are on the 'sustainable' side of things, I'm sure they will have seen their share of wood burners and could possibly point you in the right direction.
Even though they are on the 'sustainable' side of things, I'm sure they will have seen their share of wood burners and could possibly point you in the right direction.
Ours is a Savoy Mk2 and has been great.
Photo as requested (Sorry for delay!).
Just to add. I think the warranty is through Franco Belge. Our supplier price matched the cheapest online price I could find. Warranty may not apply to grey imports.
Photo as requested (Sorry for delay!).
Just to add. I think the warranty is through Franco Belge. Our supplier price matched the cheapest online price I could find. Warranty may not apply to grey imports.
Edited by Rollin on Wednesday 2nd February 18:22
Thanks for feedback. Did some more research and found cheapest website (won;t name them) 'have the incorrect price on our website'. By the time they gave me the current price and added £45 delivery, it's oly £50 cheaper than local FB supplier.
Also checked with ACR who appear to be the official importer - they are recognised FB retailer they themselves supply to, of which our local guy is one. So, should be ok for the 5 year warranty.
One heads up from them if you're looking at the room sealed ducting kit (as shown in the 2010 brochure we had):
"The ducting kit is still available for this model however information on this has been removed from the brochure as Building Regulations still require an air vent in the room even when a direct air supply kit has been installed on to an appliance as in HETAS’s opinion, room air is still used on this appliance when the doors on the stove are opened to load the appliance. As most customers would expect that when they have installed a direct air supply kit to their appliance they would no longer have to install an additional air vent in the room, we have taken the decision to not promote this kit until the Building Regulations issues have been resolved and this will take quite some time."
So, order will go in at the weekend. Just need to sort the scaffolding out and source some wood!
Also checked with ACR who appear to be the official importer - they are recognised FB retailer they themselves supply to, of which our local guy is one. So, should be ok for the 5 year warranty.
One heads up from them if you're looking at the room sealed ducting kit (as shown in the 2010 brochure we had):
"The ducting kit is still available for this model however information on this has been removed from the brochure as Building Regulations still require an air vent in the room even when a direct air supply kit has been installed on to an appliance as in HETAS’s opinion, room air is still used on this appliance when the doors on the stove are opened to load the appliance. As most customers would expect that when they have installed a direct air supply kit to their appliance they would no longer have to install an additional air vent in the room, we have taken the decision to not promote this kit until the Building Regulations issues have been resolved and this will take quite some time."
So, order will go in at the weekend. Just need to sort the scaffolding out and source some wood!
I assume the air vent is baffled to minimise the draft?
We're thinking about the sealed duct mainly because the wall at the back of the inglenook is quite open to the elements, and the wind tends to blow straight at it. Not sure entirely what this duct consists of, but surely we'll get less draft if it has some form of cowl over the end and is piped directly into the fire, rather than an 'open' vent into the inglenook itself?
We're thinking about the sealed duct mainly because the wall at the back of the inglenook is quite open to the elements, and the wind tends to blow straight at it. Not sure entirely what this duct consists of, but surely we'll get less draft if it has some form of cowl over the end and is piped directly into the fire, rather than an 'open' vent into the inglenook itself?
GRynners said:
I assume the air vent is baffled to minimise the draft?
We're thinking about the sealed duct mainly because the wall at the back of the inglenook is quite open to the elements, and the wind tends to blow straight at it. Not sure entirely what this duct consists of, but surely we'll get less draft if it has some form of cowl over the end and is piped directly into the fire, rather than an 'open' vent into the inglenook itself?
Vent looks like this one...We're thinking about the sealed duct mainly because the wall at the back of the inglenook is quite open to the elements, and the wind tends to blow straight at it. Not sure entirely what this duct consists of, but surely we'll get less draft if it has some form of cowl over the end and is piped directly into the fire, rather than an 'open' vent into the inglenook itself?
try www.stovedepot.co.uk
i had fantastic price ,service and they are main dealers of franco belge.
always phone them for a special price.
they had about 100 stoves in stock and a huge flue stock when i collected my one from their swansea stores.
i had fantastic price ,service and they are main dealers of franco belge.
always phone them for a special price.
they had about 100 stoves in stock and a huge flue stock when i collected my one from their swansea stores.
brianlewis said:
try www.stovedepot.co.uk
i had fantastic price ,service and they are main dealers of franco belge.
always phone them for a special price.
they had about 100 stoves in stock and a huge flue stock when i collected my one from their swansea stores.
Already tried them, and stoveonline. Also tried megastoves in deeside which seemed to have good prices on other fires we considered, but they don't do Franco Belge. Best price we have had on the Ardenne is £1,250 inc VAT.i had fantastic price ,service and they are main dealers of franco belge.
always phone them for a special price.
they had about 100 stoves in stock and a huge flue stock when i collected my one from their swansea stores.
try sending them another e mail with your requirements and mention PISTONHEADS .
I bet they will offer you a lower price.
good luck,
Brian.
I bet they will offer you a lower price.
good luck,
Brian.
GRynners said:
Already tried them, and stoveonline. Also tried megastoves in deeside which seemed to have good prices on other fires we considered, but they don't do Franco Belge. Best price we have had on the Ardenne is £1,250 inc VAT.
Here's ours, couldn't tell you what it is or how much it was but it's great.
We have suspended floors so no vent required, it draws well, kicks out plenty of heat and is easily controllable.
Only bad thing I've found is the blanking plate occasionally gets disturbed if we ram the logs in too vigorously but it pops back in easily enough. According to t'internet they are a weak point.
HTH.
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