Any Econoburn customers here?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Tennman

Minister of Fire
Mar 4, 2009
993
Southern Tenn
I don't think I've heard anyone here discussing the U.S. made Econoburn. If I had to purchase today it would be an EKO 60, but I like to support U.S. manufacturers when possible. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
If you search "econoburn" in the boiler room you should find plenty of info. I know there are a bunch of Econoburn owners on the site.
It seems like a great boiler from all I have read. I like supporting US made as well but I am getting an EKO 25.
There are a lot of good choices out there and Hearth.com should help you figure out which is best for you.

Good luck,
Noah

Edit:Yeah, what Taxidermist said.
 
I have an Econoburn EBW-150 and am happy as heck with it, even without storage.

It's built like the proverbial brick outhouse.

I've burned zero oil to heat my big ol' farmhouse since I fired it up on 1-15-09-- and been more comfortable than I'd ever been prior to that point.

It'll only get better once I complete my storage.

The Econoburn is also more likely to qualify, easily, for the tax credit (details still unfolding for all of us).

A great chance to support US-based manufacturing (an endangered species, unfortunately).

What's not to like... :) ?
 
I'm very pleased with my Econoburn 150 . The tech support is also excellent. I have heated my 2700 sq. ft house with only 5 cords of maple so far this year. Never have been so comfortable .
 
Satisfied owner of an EBW 150 here, works great, no problems to date. Ruggedly well
built, simple design, heats my 5k sqft house in minus 20 weather with capacity
to spare. Once I get the storage online it will get even better.

It will let smoke out with the load door open if there is a strong fire running..I need a fan
the help out with that issue/. I believe the company will improve on this line
and provide support down the line..the guys at the factory were very patient
and helpfull in my diy install.. Lots of good knowledge here on this board..
 
Ditto on all of the above--- Go look at each manufacturers models in person then make your decision. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major companies--each one has their uniqueness with pretty much the same result: warm home & no oil/gas bill. Happy shopping!!
 
Happy to answer any questions you may have. This was our first season with an EBW200 heating a 3700 sq ft remodeled farmhouse without storage. Couldn't imagine being any happier with a heating appliance, but then I am biased. Storage going in for next season.

The Econoburn boilers are EPA certified, ETL-WHI listed, ISO 9001:2000 quality mfg, and available now with an ASME "H" stamp. When people say that the boilers are built like tanks they are correct... 1/4" asme A36 boiler plate for firebox AND water jacket. Powder coated skins. Non-proprietary controls with circulator based tempering of the return.

cheers
 
I am happy with my econoburn 150. I too think that it is very well built and easy to use. Nothing that I would change as far as the boiler is concerned. And yes, proud to support an American product. Oh ya, didn't use hardly any fuel oil this year(1-5 gallons) :) I don't know about the rest of you but this year was one of the coldest on record I believe. 30-35 days below zero. The 150 had no problem keeping up, just had to use more wood.
 
Wow... Pretty impressive list of satisfied customers. Nice not to hear of folks complaining about corrosion, etc. Thanks guys, I seem to be converging on the EKO 60 or an Econoburn. Is anyone willing to share why you chose the Econo over the EKO? I will be calling Econoburn tomorrow to get some sizing. Our climate here in southern Tennessee is mild compared to what most of you deal with. My problem is our 150 year old, inefficient, 4800 sqft home. But i have lots of free wood!
Appreciate you guys taking the time. Thank you.
 
Very similar boilers; both excellent choices, from what I can gather.

On caveat: It's too early on either boiler to get a good gauge on long-term durability. Econoburn has only been on the market for a little over 2 years, and most of the EKOs out there have also been in use for about that long. Now the Tarm, another excellent choice, ranks very high on the long-lastedness scale. They've been around for decades and you don't hear about Tarms rotting out.
 
Given the less corrosive nature of a closed system, and the use of thick guage carbon steel, there really isn't any reason whey the boilers shouldn't last 20-25 years if properly installed and cared for. Many of the offshore boilers with similar construction have been known to last at least this long.

cheers
 
I took a good look at Econoburn and it looks like a very well made boiler. The only problem I had was that they require a professional installation to validate warranty.
 
RobnAridzona said:
I took a good look at Econoburn and it looks like a very well made boiler. The only problem I had was that they require a professional installation to validate warranty.

I'm aware of at least one instance where an initial owner self- installed an Econoburn in a really botched manner, and then sold it, and the company has, from what I understand, gone out of its way to support the second owner (who also self-installed it) in straightening things out and getting it working well. My guess is that they require the pro installation just to shield themselves from liability if someone does something unthinkably stupid.
 
Tennessee,
Whichever one you choose, and whichever year you buy it, get your wood in now. Get in more than twice what you hope to use. Split, stacked and covered (or uncovered, according to local superstition). That way when you do get the boiler installed you will have the dry wood that any woodburner, but gassifiers especially, run best on.
 
pybyr said:
RobnAridzona said:
I took a good look at Econoburn and it looks like a very well made boiler. The only problem I had was that they require a professional installation to validate warranty.

I'm aware of at least one instance where an initial owner self- installed an Econoburn in a really botched manner, and then sold it, and the company has, from what I understand, gone out of its way to support the second owner (who also self-installed it) in straightening things out and getting it working well. My guess is that they require the pro installation just to shield themselves from liability if someone does something unthinkably stupid.

I am "intimately" involved with said boiler and cannot say enough good things about Econoburn and their owners/employees. Just this Saturday Mark Furman came out and 'fixed' the wiring that the previous owner had 'redesigned'. :) He installed a new refractory and helped me install a new door gasket also. They are great people are are always willing to discuss any issues you have. The fact that the boiler is American made and the company is only an hour away did sway my opinion a lot. There are several great units out there, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the big name companies but please buy American if you can.
np
 
Been too slammed at work to call Econoburn. Their customer loyality here is very impressive. I want to buy U.S. but if the professional installation stipulation is true, that may be a factor. I can't tell you how irritated I am about seeing Made in China on everything. Thanks again for your time guys. I'll keep y'all posted.
 
As has been discussed on this forum before, the professional install/warranty dilemma may be satisfied by having a licensed pro sign off on the installation as having been done to code. But most or all of the work could be done by you. Finding a pro to do that for you might take a bit of calling around.
 
I think the bottom line is this: a competent installation is absolutely necesary for any boiler to perform to specs. A $7k or $8k gasser hooked to a $2.00 system could make your boiler literally worthless.

There are situations like Pybyr pointed out, where botched installations have given people pause about the boilers themselves when in fact the issue is actually the failure of the rest of the system. This type of thing is a PR nightmare, believe me. The requirement that qualified installers are necessary for warranty claims is mostly an effort to combat this sort of thing. It's kind of a different take on the way wholesalers only sell gas, oil, and propane boilers to contractors, but it achieves the same goal... which is to increase the ratio of satisfied customers to dissatisfied.

As a factory trained dealer, I am responsible for all the boilers that I sell to work properly. If an individual wants to do a self install, that's fine with me... but I have to inspect the boiler hookup before the boiler is fired, and before signing off on the warranty card. If you have a dealer in your area, they may or may not work with you in this manner. Some dealers only sell what they can install themselves, for much the same reason that AFB requires qualified installers when they sell factory direct to individuals. If you don't have a dealer in your area, and in Tennessee I don't think you do, the factory will be more than happy to coordinate with your installer or heating professional that will be signing off on the installation.

Getting a contractor to sign off on a customer's self-installation for a few bucks shouldn't be a big deal. The important stuff is in the manual... and the factory can answer questions if you should have any.

cheers
 
After dropping 8-12K for a system, I can't imagine being resistant to have a pre-startup inspection for a few hundred bucks. If that's all we're talking regarding the Econoburn warranty coverage that's very reasonable to protect the company's reputation.

Also I hear ya'll advice about starting to collect wood now. Thanks guys. Looks like I have to timeshare with turkey huntin' season! Gotta keep those priorities right!
 
Is there anyone with an Econoburn installed in (central) Connecticut that is willing to show off you unit? I would like to see your install and talk about who your installer was and how you found the local distributer to deal with. I an 99% ready to go with the Econoburn 150, just want that last little bit before I dump the cash on one
 
hello.
i'm also interested in looking at an econoburn installation in the Buffalo, NY area. Would like to heat my home in the winter and pool in the summer. I have around a 3400 sqft two story home, 1st floor radiant in 1 1/2 slab, 2nd story baseboard and indirect DHW on propane. Can't afford the taxes let alone the propane. Used on online heat loss program and came up with 68,000 btu loss/hr. My system (piping, controls) may not be efficient, no way of knowing. which i believe to be in the ballpark. After reading these forums for the last month i end up with more questions than answers. It appears storage works the best although that poses some obvious problems with an exiting structure that I'll have to work out. My boiler has a primary loop that feeds baseboards and DHW, and my radiant loops. A mixing valve injects hot water to my radiant loop, which I keep at around 80deg. Each radiant loop has its own circ and i just run them 24/day. I can control each radiant loop with a thermostat in each zone, just never bothered, and jumped the thermostat connections. I'll try to post a diagram over the weekend hoping I can get suggestions on how to connect wood boiler, storage and pool loop to my existing system. Sorry for the rambling, any econoburn owners willing to give me peek at their setup in western NY? thanks
 
Gee Manicoti the Econoobrun plant is within a short driving distance from Buffalo. Call Dale Mark to arrange a factory tour. I was in the area last January and I am still regretting not going down there for a look around.
 
Piker said:
I think the bottom line is this: a competent installation is absolutely necesary for any boiler to perform to specs. A $7k or $8k gasser hooked to a $2.00 system could make your boiler literally worthless.

There are situations like Pybyr pointed out, where botched installations have given people pause about the boilers themselves when in fact the issue is actually the failure of the rest of the system. This type of thing is a PR nightmare, believe me. The requirement that qualified installers are necessary for warranty claims is mostly an effort to combat this sort of thing. It's kind of a different take on the way wholesalers only sell gas, oil, and propane boilers to contractors, but it achieves the same goal... which is to increase the ratio of satisfied customers to dissatisfied.

As a factory trained dealer, I am responsible for all the boilers that I sell to work properly. If an individual wants to do a self install, that's fine with me... but I have to inspect the boiler hookup before the boiler is fired, and before signing off on the warranty card. If you have a dealer in your area, they may or may not work with you in this manner. Some dealers only sell what they can install themselves, for much the same reason that AFB requires qualified installers when they sell factory direct to individuals. If you don't have a dealer in your area, and in Tennessee I don't think you do, the factory will be more than happy to coordinate with your installer or heating professional that will be signing off on the installation.

Getting a contractor to sign off on a customer's self-installation for a few bucks shouldn't be a big deal. The important stuff is in the manual... and the factory can answer questions if you should have any.

cheers


I'm curious as to where in western PA you are? I'm also in western PA. I'm planning on purchasing an Econoburn 150 by August. Already have almost 5 chords of wood cut. The only problem I'm having is finding someone to install. Any suggestions?
 
gator,

Depending on where you are at in western PA, I might be able to give you some names of some good installers. Send me a PM or an email from my website.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.