First look at Drolet's new EPA 2020 wood furnace...

[lampmfg]

The Heat Commander is NOT EPA certified. We were on the phone with the EPA speaking about our ongoing compliance issue concerns regarding the Firechief. Rafael Sanchez manages the EPA wood heat program stated that the Heat Commander isn't EPA certified at this time, and they aren't allowed to advertise EPA certification or sell in the US until certified. We know that they have literature stating they are in multiple spots, but he has reached out to them about removing it.

 

[brenndatomu]

Those sneaky Canooks...

 

[JRHAWK9]

The Heat Commander is NOT EPA certified. We were on the phone with the EPA speaking about our ongoing compliance issue concerns regarding the Firechief. Rafael Sanchez manages the EPA wood heat program stated that the Heat Commander isn't EPA certified at this time, and they aren't allowed to advertise EPA certification or sell in the US until certified. We know that they have literature stating they are in multiple spots, but he has reached out to them about removing it.

Explains why they don't have any certification results posted in their owners manual like they are required to after being certified.

Thinking about "adding to cart" just for them to tell me they can't sell one to me.

 

[lampmfg]

I'm not saying they aren't trying or where they are at in the process (don't know), but they haven't been certified at this time.

 

[Highbeam]

I'm not saying they aren't trying or where they are at in the process (don't know), but they haven't been certified at this time.

Good info. This is why we tell folks to look at the actual EPA approval list and not depend on marketing brochures. Unfortunately, the Firechief stayed on that list for far too long.

 

[brenndatomu]

Unfortunately, the Firechief stayed on that list for far too long.

Heck, its still on it! And its in all the big box stores now since its the only choice for them currently...I was in my second favorite store the other day (Rural King of Ohio) and they have them now too...never did before though, they had USSC junk before (and Drolet, at one time)
I thought seriously about taping a PSA on the SH1000 "Warning, do not buy this POS, see Hearth.com for reviews!" but my wife was with me and I figured she would not appreciated being unceremoniously escorted to the door with me

 

[lampmfg]

Good info. This is why we tell folks to look at the actual EPA approval list and not depend on marketing brochures. Unfortunately, the Firechief stayed on that list for far too long.

And it's still on that list, smh. Yesterday we made it all the way up to David Hindin, who is the actual Director of Compliance. He assured us it's being resolved and apologized for the length of time it has taken. They will be looking at there internal procedures moving forward when they receive credible information. I feel our virtual meeting went well but it's such a process with the type of stuff. I feel bad for the consumers who have no clue.

 

[brenndatomu]

I feel bad for the consumers who have no clue.

Exactly...and their sales are probably pretty good since its the only big box store wood furnace option right now...

 

[JRHAWK9]

I feel bad for the consumers who have no clue.

Exactly...and their sales are probably pretty good since its the only big box store wood furnace option right now...

...and so many of them do zero research before making purchases like this.

 

[brenndatomu]

...and so many of them do zero research before making purchases like this.

Yep...oops!

 

[brenndatomu]

Thinking about "adding to cart" just for them to tell me they can't sell one to me.

They are showing "available" now...

 

[JRHAWK9]

They are showing "available" now...

I see that......they have 11 "in stock".

 

[lampmfg]

I keep thinking about this furnace, it's that time of year you know. There seems to be this worry about low/idle pollution but that is silly. This thing will just run hot enough that it is always clean and then run hotter when the thermostat calls for heat. Like all of the other noncat stoves, the regulations simply prevent a low setting from ever happening. Seems so easy I must be missing why anybody is worried about the pollution at low. There is no low. The way to get less heat is to let the fire go out.

2799$ with free shipping, available on 10/5 per today's check at the above link.

It's more complicated than that. Stove testing is only worried about grams per hour. Furnaces need to make the 4 categories. The amount of air on the non-demand stage may not keep it in category 1 if there is to much air, and if there isn't enough, it doesn't get the fire going and burn clean.

 

[laynes69]

It's more complicated than that. Stove testing is only worried about grams per hour. Furnaces need to make the 4 categories. The amount of air on the non-demand stage may not keep it in category 1 if there is to much air, and if there isn't enough, it doesn't get the fire going and burn clean.

Well fortunately companies will pull off clean furnaces and there wont be a monopoly on the market. Market needs competition and it sounds like your fighting all you can (it's good for business I guess). I'm not saying the Kuuma isn't a great furnace but consumers need cheaper options.

 

[brenndatomu]

Market needs competition

Agreed.
I think even @lampmfg would agree that competition is what drives us all to be better. (well, maybe not if you are Lamppa MFG and the competition is HY-C! )
And besides, monopoly's are illegal

 

[lampmfg]

We want a level playing field for all. If that is achieved, we are fine with the outcome. If someone has to test one way and someone else differently, the numbers are skewed, and most consumers won't know any better.

 

[brenndatomu]

If someone has to test one way and someone else differently

Amen. That's total BS

 

[lampmfg]

I think that we have tried to handle this well. Allowing a product like the Firechief on the market for this long at that price when EPA's own measurement division recommends 3 of the 4 tests by invalidated is very frustrating and definitely hurts our sales. I understand what you are saying about a lower price point, but it's going to be tough to achieve any budget models in the future. The Heat Commander looks like it will cost twice as much as the Firechief so that's not a budget model. However, I do see that the Heat Commander was removed from the Drolet website today.

 

[JRHAWK9]

However, I do see that the Heat Commander was removed from the Drolet website today.

Looks like you can still purchase it here though:

HEAT COMMANDER WOOD FURNACE

Among the most efficient systems on the market based on distributed energy, the Heat Commander is a central heating system that is both cutting edge and accessible thanks to its innovative design and ease of use. EPA certified, its 310,000 BTU capacity

myfireplaceproducts.com

Wonder if they actually have them in stock or if they would be dropped shipped from the manufacturer...?

 

[brenndatomu]

Looks like you can still purchase it here though:

HEAT COMMANDER WOOD FURNACE

Among the most efficient systems on the market based on distributed energy, the Heat Commander is a central heating system that is both cutting edge and accessible thanks to its innovative design and ease of use. EPA certified, its 310,000 BTU capacity

myfireplaceproducts.com

Wonder if they actually have them in stock or if they would be dropped shipped from the manufacturer...?

My understanding is that MFP is the "factory store"

 

[brenndatomu]

The Heat Commander looks like it will cost twice as much as the Firechief so that's not a budget model.

Still within the reach of many people...and 20 times the furnace (probably more!) for only twice the price!

 

[Highbeam]

Twice as much as a fire chief but half as much as the only other furnace.

 

[woodey]

but half as much as the only other furnace.

Yes, but until we see several real world application results its possible that it is worth only
half as much.

 

[Highbeam]

Yes, but until we see several real world application results its possible that it is worth only
half as much.

Sure. For that matter it isn’t worth squat right now!

 

[Mrpelletburner]

Looks like you can still purchase it here though:

HEAT COMMANDER WOOD FURNACE

Among the most efficient systems on the market based on distributed energy, the Heat Commander is a central heating system that is both cutting edge and accessible thanks to its innovative design and ease of use. EPA certified, its 310,000 BTU capacity

myfireplaceproducts.com

Wonder if they actually have them in stock or if they would be dropped shipped from the manufacturer...?

I just sent them an email asking. Unfortunately the “canned” response is all in French.

I like that side tool holder, need to fabricate one.