very happy with performance of JUCA.
a big negative for inserts in general is difficulty of being able to route heat output to ducts. a free standing JUCA unit would be easier to duct.
measure performance with an inferred thermometer. most meaningful at hot air output duct.
fuel consumption was 4.5 cords for last season. with aprox. 1/2 total burnt being green wood. this was due to my lack of planning for total wood needed. late winter, green wood is all you can get.
fortunately JUCA has the ability to burn green wood cleanly. I'd have to get fire up to operating temps before throwing in green. once operating temps was reached, then JUCA would burn cleanly. not sure if consumption would be less if all seasoned wood was burned. as green wood burns slower. it's just a major pita to get burning up to normal operating temps.
it's easy to access how clean by observing amount of smoke coming out of chimney. once fire reached normal operation temps, could barely see smoke raising from chimney.
inside glass would lightly build up, easily removed with simple green.
creosote buildup in chimney due to hot burn of JUCA is very minimal.
inspection of chimney shows creosote buildup to not changed from previous seasons. note my fireplace has always burned hot and has never needed a cleaning after 15+ years.
I own the hard bristle brush chimney cleaning set with extension poles and I've got a friend who's family cleans chimneys. so it would not be a big deal to clean if I needed to.
retired 55; said:
046,
You have two heating seasons now with the JUCA.
I am evaluating several "brands" for new construction
as secondary heat source.
Are you still happy with the unit?
How was chimney and creosote?
Do your glass doors stay clean on inside?
Thanks for your impartial opinion.