I know its been months, how about Garret and Keith put there names on the line and tell us why theres is better. BBBut only on the facts we care about. #1 how much maintaniance needed per season? #2 how much do you have to fool with it per load? (aka ease of use) #3 how long is the burn time? ( say a 50,000 btu heat lose on a 5 deg day) #4 And lastly temp swing in the house with the conditions stated in previous.
lets here the answers and judge for our selves.
P.S we know the companies have been around close to the same and warrantees are close enough.
#1 How often do I clean the furnace?
Once a year I use a rake that comes with the furnace to scrape out the heat exchanger. I proceed to vacuum through the clean out cover. Finally, I take the pipes off the back and blow them out outside. I've run this furnace for 28 years and never clean out the chimney as a matter of fact I don't even own a chimney brush
(NO SMOKE=NO CREOSOTE).
#2 Wood burning doesn't get any easier-
It has a two speed blower that is controlled by a remote thermostat. The blower system is activated by the low limit button thermostat that adjusts 90-130 degrees F. for the on temperature. Once it activates, your remote thermostat will determine if it needs high speed (calling for more heat) or low speed (room temp is satisfied.) The high speed is approximately 1500 cfm and the low speed is approximately 500 cfm, depending on the system back pressure. Therefore, the computer setting and the 2 speed blower help you to maintain your desired level of heat.
Does the automatic damper operate by a remote thermostat?
No, the adjustment is right on the computer itself. You just turn the knob to adjust (mild weather=lower and cold weather=higher). It makes it simple to operate.
#3 Burn Time-
It gives you a clean, safe, and automatic front to back burn that delivers very even heat for 10-12 hours per load followed by many hours of coals.
#4 Temp Swings-
Now, heating a home with our VaporFire furnaces is really special because they deliver very even continuous heat hour after hour. They don't smolder the wood and then blast the wood (the two extremes) like other wood furnaces. Instead, its unique automatic draft system avoids these extremes with a continuous front to back burn pattern that allows the user to adjust the burn rate, which in turn varies the BTU output. In mild weather you use a low setting for 15-25,000 BTU's/hr., in moderate weather a medium setting for 25-45,000 BTU's/hr., and in cold weather a high setting for 45-60,000 BTU's / hr. It adjusts simply by turning the knob on the computer from low to high and anywhere in between. Most people never go above the medium setting all winter long.
Proven Test Results (Facts)-
.45 Gr/Hr. Emmission
99.4% Combustion Efficiency
99% Smokeless Burns
>80% Overall Efficiency
May 4th, 2011
Hi - We have burned wood for over 30 years and have gone from the first primitive "barrel" type wood stove to our very new and wonderful Kuuma Vapor Fire.
For the first time ever, we can load our furnace, set the control for the weather conditions, and walk away. We never have to "play" with our fire to get it going. This furnace is so efficient and easy to use, it has brought wood-burning into the 21st century.
Once you have your fire going, you won't see a whisper of smoke coming from your chimney. The computer controlled burn has heated our home with a large reduction in the amount of wood we previously used.
The fear of having a chimney fire or leaving our previous wood-burning furnaces unattended while we went to work is gone. For the first time in over 30 years, we can confidently and with great peace of mind, not worry about creosote accumulating in our chimney. In fact, our chimney is cleaner than ever since burning wood with the VaporFire furnace.
This furnace is worth it's weight in gold just for this peace of mind. This first winter with our new Kuuma has been the best winter we've ever had with a wood-burning furnace.
Thank you for giving us an environmentally efficient and extremely safe wood-burning product.
Sincerely,
B. Mathews
