Replacing an old furnace.

  • 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.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Status
Not open for further replies.

angus_guy

Member
Hearth Supporter
Sep 17, 2010
11
Ontario,Canada
Hi folks. We're in the process of replacing an old oil furnace with wood add on. Looking at the new furnaces available to me, I'm having a hard time getting one that will meet our needs. Just hoping someone has some advice that could help me out. The oil portion of the furnace is rated for 134000 BTUs.
I think the wood is rated for 1000000 BTUs, but is too small to adequately heat the house.
The house was built in 1870 (Stone). It's 2275 square feet. Attic insulation has been added and newer windows
are in. Wall insulation ??? (Not sure) Information I found on the web, I think I need 60 BTUs per feet.
So I think that a furnace putting out 136500 BTU's would do the trick. Problem I'm having is that
the furnaces I'm finding, the wood portion will meet that but the oil furnaces in these units are putting out approx.
92000 BTUs. I've looked at the Caddy, Continental, Newmac. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Are there others that I could looks at here in EasternOntario?
Thanks for any input.
 
Yukon makes a large unit. Dual fuel units don't work as efficiently on 1 side or the other compared to separate units. What about a furnace with an add on wood furnace tied in? Best of both worlds.
 
Perfect, i'll check them out.
I was trying to avoid to separate furnaces to I could have a smaller foot print in the furnace room, looks like I might not have a choice.
Thanks
 
One thing to remember about a wood furnace, the high ratings would be for a full burn. Unless the woodfurnace is being fed constantly, you won't always achieve that output. The caddy would be too small. Napoleon makes an efficient furnace. Before guessing, try to run a heat load analysis on the home to get an idea. The Napoleon HMF has a large 5 cuft firebox, that's a beast for a clean burning furnace. The Max Caddy by PSG has a 4.5 cu ft firebox which should put you in the ballpark. Both the PSG and the Napoleon have the option to add-on aux heat.
 
I've just been looking into those units. They seem like a great furnace they also make an add-on pellet attachment that can be added to that unit down the road if you want.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.