I went into this with my eyes wide open. We really wanted a 2 sided fireplace in our living room and we also wanted it to be energy efficient. If you are reading this post you probably realize how difficult it is to find an efficient two sided fireplace. So we took the plunge and ordered JUCA Model F-9AX fireplace from the JUCA company in Indiana in May/June of 2009.
Well, if you are looking for an effortless process or a seamless experience, do not read any further. Stop thinking about JUCA and contact your local fireplace store. JUCA is not effortless. It is probably not the least expensive option once you consider the required accessories, vent piping, fireplace doors and your lost time and energy. It probably has some of the worst customer service in the industry. I am tempted to report them to the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Reports.
I really can't tell you if JUCA lives up to all of the hype on the website. It has been 6 months since I ordered the fireplace and I haven't received all of the parts yet. The fireplace did show up which honestly I was a little surprised that we received it. However we haven't received the $800+ dollars in fireplace doors yet. We keep contacting JUCA (Tim) with the one method we have for JUCA, (an e-mail address), Tim assures us that he is on top of things, yet we still wait for doors.
I am at the point now of ordering doors from another company because we cannot wait any longer. So, the expenses of the JUCA keep mounting. We are into this fireplace about $10,000 now. It's going to take a lot of seasons to make up for the cost of this fireplace.
Would I order from JUCA again??? Probably not. The fireplace cannot compensate for the company shortfalls and failed customer service. I knew it was a gamble and that I may lose my original investment. Even after receiving the fireplace, there is probably a 50:50 chance that it will work as advertized.
Installation required consulting a team of engineers, hiring a local fireplace company to analyze the product and the lacking documentation and come up with a plan for installation. We were able to track down some double wall 10 inch vent piping and other accessories to install it (budget about $3000-$4000 for venting.) After a couple trips out by the local FP Company, we now have this thing installed in our new house, awaiting FP doors.
I just sent an angry e-mail to Tim at JUCA, asking for a refund for the fireplace doors I never received. And I am searching for new doors on-line. If anyone has a door suggestion that will fit a JUCA fireplace, I would be grateful. My new home has already been delayed 30 days and counting because if this fireplace. If you are still considering a JUCA, be prepared for a tough road.