I have an old (circa 1980) add on wood furnace that I've been using for, well lets call it several years.... It has done a great job for me, but it will either need to be replaced or rebuilt in the next few years. The design is VERY similar to the Clayton add-on wood furnace that was popular for so long. It looks like US Stove has discontinued that model (1802g), so I'm looking for other suggestions. So far, I'm looking at the USSC Hotblast, Kuuma Vapor Fire, Royall/Energyking, Fire Chief, and Shelter.
Shelter - Based on the reviews, appears to be junk.
USSC Hotblast - looks like a knock off of a Clayton, and may no longer be available. Not EPA certified for using with wood.
Royall/Energyking - Don't see much information. 75% more expensive than a fire chief with no mention of air being preheated and supplied for a secondary burn. Looks like it could be nearly identical to the 1980 Energy Mate that I'm using now.
Fire Chief - Looks like it only uses 6 fire bricks, and they lay on the bottom where they are likely to be broken while adding wood. Forced draft which I have mixed emotions about. Supposed to have a secondary burn chamber, but I don't see how they are pre-heating the draft air. Need to understand how they are trying to do this before I'd be willing to go this route. Also one of the cheapest models.
Kuuma Vapor-Fire - Seems to have a strong customer base. Really like the over all design of the unit. Looks like draft air comes in under the ash pan. Not convinced that part of the design will pre-heat the draft air enough to cause the exhaust gasses to burn effectively. My understanding is that a normal house thermostat is used to determine whether the distribution blower operates at 500 cfm or 1500 cfm. Seems like on warmer days (mid 40s) it might still be easy to get the house too hot if the fire is going. Don't care for the small cast iron grate with no shaker. Seems like getting the ashes down into the pan would be a pain in the rear. The most expensive option I've found so far.
Does anyone else have any suggestions, or any feed back on the unit I've listed? At this point, I want to talk to the folks at FireChief and Kuuma, but I want to learn more before proceeding with either one of them. The Kuuma is likely built much better, but I suspect that the FireChief is similar to build quality to what I am using now, maybe a little more efficient. My current unit has lasted 40 years, so I'd question paying an extra $4,300 for the Kuuma unless there are other good reasons to do so.
Thanks!
Mark
Shelter - Based on the reviews, appears to be junk.
USSC Hotblast - looks like a knock off of a Clayton, and may no longer be available. Not EPA certified for using with wood.
Royall/Energyking - Don't see much information. 75% more expensive than a fire chief with no mention of air being preheated and supplied for a secondary burn. Looks like it could be nearly identical to the 1980 Energy Mate that I'm using now.
Fire Chief - Looks like it only uses 6 fire bricks, and they lay on the bottom where they are likely to be broken while adding wood. Forced draft which I have mixed emotions about. Supposed to have a secondary burn chamber, but I don't see how they are pre-heating the draft air. Need to understand how they are trying to do this before I'd be willing to go this route. Also one of the cheapest models.
Kuuma Vapor-Fire - Seems to have a strong customer base. Really like the over all design of the unit. Looks like draft air comes in under the ash pan. Not convinced that part of the design will pre-heat the draft air enough to cause the exhaust gasses to burn effectively. My understanding is that a normal house thermostat is used to determine whether the distribution blower operates at 500 cfm or 1500 cfm. Seems like on warmer days (mid 40s) it might still be easy to get the house too hot if the fire is going. Don't care for the small cast iron grate with no shaker. Seems like getting the ashes down into the pan would be a pain in the rear. The most expensive option I've found so far.
Does anyone else have any suggestions, or any feed back on the unit I've listed? At this point, I want to talk to the folks at FireChief and Kuuma, but I want to learn more before proceeding with either one of them. The Kuuma is likely built much better, but I suspect that the FireChief is similar to build quality to what I am using now, maybe a little more efficient. My current unit has lasted 40 years, so I'd question paying an extra $4,300 for the Kuuma unless there are other good reasons to do so.
Thanks!
Mark