Furnace suggestions

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Vannooch

New Member
Jul 4, 2018
15
Pennsylvania
Hello all, new member here for Pa.

I am looking to install a wood burning furnace. I have a 2200 soft ranch with a full basement. I have an old Kodak insert in the basement game room fireplace but it only cooks the game room.

What are your suggestions for the furnace.
 
Forced air or hot water/ heat exchanger type? narrows choices down some
 
None at the moment. I want it to burn for at least 8 hrs at a when fully stocked if possible. Accomodate 16" logs minimum if possible. I can cut some different from my father in law but it would be easier if we cut the same length as we tagteam stocking the woodshed. My heat is currently all electric and I get crushed on the electric bill. Chimney is close as well as the supply duct on my furnace.
 
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Drolet Tundra II should do what you want with a house your size, $2k range.
Drolet Heatpro is a little larger if you want to be sure to get 8 hrs minimum on even the coldest day of the year, $2500 or so.
Kuuma Vaporfire is hands down the best forced air wood furnace out there, $5300. And the only one currently able to pass the coming 2020 EPA emission regs.
 
Before deciding on which furnace to purchase make sure the unit will function properly with your chimney. Some manufacturers "require" a certain flu size for proper operation. I would suggest you call and talk to a company rep directly before any purchase as you could spend $$$$$ modifying your current chimney for proper drafting.
 
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woodey said:
Before deciding on which furnace to purchase make sure the unit will function properly with your chimney. Some manufacturers "require" a certain flu size for proper operation. I would suggest you call and talk to a company rep directly before any purchase as you could spend $$$$$ modifying your current chimney for proper drafting.
Click to expand...
Good thought, gotta factor that $ in...I believe that all the wood furnaces still in production take a 6" flue
 
Good thoughts. There is a clean unused six by twelve terracotta liner in place. As mentioned in an earlier post, it is an all electric house build as a prototype for the late 50’s all electric home sales. They did however build two chimneys on it, one housing the two fireplaces and one with split in two with separate liners in the center of the house. From the port hole to the top is probably about twenty feet or so.
 
An interior chimney 20' tall should work good. If I were you I'd plan on shooting a 6" SS liner in there though...the area of a 6" x 12" is way too big for a modern wood furnace to perform well. A 6" round flue is ~28 sq inches...a 6" x 12" is 72 sq inches, 3 times bigger (and that's not better)...plus a round flue performs better and stays cleaner.
 
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Ok, now tell me about the regulations that are about to change. If I install a tundra or heatpro will they be in compliance?

I have another spin as well, what about an old stove. Say something from the seventies. I love the old kodiak it is just nostalgic I guess. She is installed in the lower fireplace currently. Will I get my fingers slapped for using it?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
No, anything already installed can continue to be used...at its current location...as long as you own it. If the property is sold, a non-compliant unit needs to go bye bye...as in the scrap heap. You are not allowed to leave it there, move it, sell it, give it away, nothing. Used at its current location, by you, period.
Phase 1 has already taken affect...May 15 2017 for furnaces...May 15 2020 is phase 2 for furnaces...and that's the one only Kuuma has passed so far.
But really, they are splitting hairs now...the current Tundra II and Heatpro burn plenty clean in reality (assuming they are ran properly and fed dry wood) and phase 2 is REALLY clean!
Now then, even though this stuff has already taken affect, there are many people that know nothing about the regs and are doing business as usual (Craigslist and such)...and its not like men in black are gonna come knocking on your door...it seems the way they (EPA) are gonna enforce this is by getting the mortgage lenders and home insurance companys to make sure everything is "kosher" if you have a wood burner.
But there are some people in some places that will probably be able to slip through the cracks for a long time to come.
Eventually all the old stuff will be junked and all there will be is the newer units...just the same as how it goes with cars...most cars on the road are newer, but there are still some older ones on the road...and plenty of old classics lurking in garages out there
 
From my understanding the EPA regs are "new source performance standards", new manufacturing only. Used furnaces and stoves are not regulated in any way by the EPA.
 
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E Yoder said:
Used furnaces and stoves are not regulated in any way by the EPA.
Click to expand...
As long as you don't move it, or change ownership...unless a change has come down from the oval office that I hadn't heard of.
EDIT: I went looking for the info on the EPA's site...without reading lawyer-eze for 3 hours, it looks like you may be right E Yoder...I know early on it applied to existing units to the degree I stated above, but now it looks like it is only on new units...I dunno, I sure enough ain't no lawyer...
 
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Hmm.. I dunno. I must have missed it reading through.
Edit: LoL, reading it made my head hurt, I'm not a lawyer either. :)
 
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Well that is good I like the old stove. Who knows, I may not use it after installing the furnace. Good information, I do have a local chimney and fireplace business that I can work with. Are there specific requirements on installation? Regarding who can install it. I am good with my hands a carpenter by trade. I probably have to look into the local building code for that.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Generally you can do the install yourself...your HO insurance would be the one that would require pro install if anyone does. Do the research to see what is required, if they want an inspection they will just defer to whatever the manufacturer says for install requirements...mainly CTC (clearance to combustibles) requirements...and then local and national code may kick in for the chimney...it just depends if your HO or local authorities want an inspection or not. Still need to follow "good practice" procedures to have a good working and safe setup either way.
Just be aware that many "pros" cut corners on wood burner installs...there are hundreds of storys of botched "pro" installs on this site...best to be educated yourself and know what's what if you have someone else do it...hopefully your local shop is not one of those hacks
 
I will most likely do it myself. I have to remove a stone cap from the chimney and patch that in as well. I definitely don’t want to burn my house down. Which is another reason that I am moving away from making modifications to use the Kodiak. The game room was the office for our business. We are both working for other employers now and are not there to keep an eye on it. Being an Architect/Contractor team, we should be able to get the code information. My father in law is our insurance agent. ;-)
I definitely trust my own work above others. As far as research, that is why I am here!
 
So there are quite a few threads here about the furnaces mentioned, especially the Kuuma, I guess the next step would be to read up on all of 'em, then get on their sites, read the install and operations manuals, that will help you decide which one you like. Feel free to drop back in with questions and/or updates!
Also, feel free to call and/or email Drolet, they are pretty helpful...Kuuma too, Dale and Daryl (the owner) will take the time to talk with you, help you make a good decision.
https://www.lamppakuuma.com/
https://www.drolet.ca/en/products/furnaces/
 
If it bothers you, no viewing window on the kuuma. It’s like a fridge.
 
I just saw one that is electric/wood from Yukon-eagle. It is the eagle 3. This would clean up the basement a bit by eliminating the current electric furnace. What do you all know about this furnace?
 
Vannooch said:
I just saw one that is electric/wood from Yukon-eagle. It is the eagle 3. This would clean up the basement a bit by eliminating the current electric furnace. What do you all know about this furnace?
Click to expand...
I think you will find that Yukon cannot be sold in the US at this time due to current EPA regulations.
 
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