WhatStove?

Review of Hunter Herald 8 stove

No baffle with a boiler?

Mike Schofield 8 years ago

got my herald 8 with a boiler fitted. I notice there is no baffle plate and just assumed that you don't have one when a boiler is incorporated?

Whatever, the thing works perfectly and adds so much to the atmosphere in my sitting room, I love it.

The set up incorporates 2 circulation pumps, 2 heat exchangers, 2 motorised ball valves, two three port valves, a flow switch 3 thermostats and a battery powered inverter to kick in should there be a power failure.

Upon lighting the fire and the subsequent rise in temperature pump 1 begins to circulate the boiler water through the first heat exchanger. This triggers thermostat 2 which isolates my gas combi boiler and redirects the return from my radiators to the other side of the first heat exchanger. When the valve is fully open the second pump starts, circulating the water from the radiators through the first heat exchanger instead of the combi, and a couple of low pressure one way valves prevent it going back through the combi boiler its self.

Thermostat 3 isolates the mains water supply to the combi boiler and instead opens a new supply to heat exchanger 2. When a hot water tap is turned on a flow switch triggers the second three port valve which directs the hot water from the fire through the second heat exchanger and I get mains pressure hot water from the fire too!

It's a bit involved but it means I only need one small expansion tank to feed the fire and no bulky water cylinder. I get mains pressure hot water and if the fire should go out in the night my combi boiler can just kick back in and take over heating the rads. It all works a treat and heats the whole place lovely.

I am very very pleased with the fire and thrilled with the configuration I have.

Overall rating:

5 flames

Build Quality 4 flames (avg 3.6)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 3.9)
Value for money 5 flames (avg 3.6)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 4)
Ease of lighting 5 flames (avg 4)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 3.9)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 3.6)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 3.4)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 3.1)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 3.3)
What is your overall satisfaction? 5 flames (avg 3.5)