Biomass Furnace Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...With our biomass furnace ratings, you can avoid all of the sales hype and find value. We have researched the manufacturers' data and combined that with our heating system service experience to provide our unique system of ratings. It truly is like taking a repairman with you while you shop! We have also included the manufacturers' web address as well as our comments concerning the advantages/disadvantages of their products. We have given each brand a rating of from 1* to 5*. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for a unit for our own home, that is the brand we would purchase (if it was available). When more than one brand has a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive brand. These ratings are for units that burn biomass materials and distribute the heat to the home through a system of ducts. If you are searching for a biomass heating solution and you do not have an air duct system, you can check out our stove ratings. Our first set of biomass furnace ratings are for units that burn corn or other grains and/or wood pellets. BRAND----------------------WEBSITE------------------RATING A-MAIZE-ING HEAT--ldjamaizeingheat.com--------------2* This brand is from LDJ MANUFACTURING. The units are available in two sizes (100000 and 165000 btu models). They are air conditioner ready from the factory. The unit is lit manually at the beginning of the season. The units must be installed by a professional for the warranty to be honored. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. AMERICAN HARVEST---------usstove.com----------------1* This brand of furnace can burn a variety of biomass fuels. The units use digital control with built-in diagnostics. They have a dealer locator by state or zip code on their website. AMERICA'S HEAT-----------americasheat.com-----------2* This brand is from LMF MANUFACTURING. It is available in two models BM 620-9 which is a 100,000 btu corn furnace and an AH 170 which is a 170,000 btu corn furnace. (These units are only certified for corn burning.) They are factory wired for air conditioning. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. EAGLE MANUFACTURING---- biomass-furnace.com ------2* These units are for burning corn only. They are available in three sizes (50000,100000, and 200000btu/hr). They have a relatively small hopper with a capacity of ten bushels. They are not ready for air conditioning to be added. ECO-TECH-----------------ecotechheat.com------------1* These are your basic units. They are available in 100000 or 150000 btu models. They have a dealer list on their website but they are mostly located in Michigan. ENDURANCE----------------fahrenheittech.com---------4* This brand has autostart therefore you do not have to manually light the unit at the start of the season. It is designed as an add-on to an existing system (the unit has no provision for adding air conditioning). It has a stainless steel burner pot and heat exchanger for durability as well as a large hopper with an optional extension available. They have a dealer locator by state on their website with links to help you contact them. HARMAN-------------------harmanstoves.com-----------5* the PF100 is a direct vent furnace with a three speed blower. The units feature a two stage heat exchanger and a 160 lb hopper. They can modulate their heat output from 0-112000 btu/hr and can be used as a stand alone system or added onto an existing furnace system. They offer an outdoor combustion air option. The units are sold through dealers and backed by an outstanding warranty. MAGNUM-------------------americanenergysystems.com--2* These units are available in two sizes (6500 and 7500 models). They are your basic units. They can be purchased online and they have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. NAPOLEON---------------napoleonheatingandair.com----1* These units are available in North America. They have a large ten cubic foot hopper and can burn corn, wheat, pellets, or a mixture. The unit has three operating modes (low, high, and idle). The warranty on the units is not very good (especially on the heat exchanger). SAR----------------------sarbiomass.com-------------1* This brand has two sizes available for homes (100000 and 200000 btu/hr). They make a lot of larger models for shops and industrial applications. ST. CROIX----------------stcroixheat.com------------4* This brand is manufactured by EVEN TEMP INC. and is available in North America. The REVOLUTION furnace is a unit that can burn grains as well as wood pellets. The unit is self igniting (even when corn is to be used) and self cleaning. The unit starts by igniting the wood pellets and then automatically switches to the selected fuel. The units can be manually controlled or by thermostat. They have a dealer locator by zip/postal code on their website. The units are backed by a very good guarantee. SUPERIOR-----------------ja-ran.com-----------------1* THE KERNEL BURNER--------thekernelburner.com--------3* THERMOCORN---------------thermocorn.com-------------1* This brand is from TERMODINAMIK. The CPF-110 is a 110000 btu/hr unit that can switch from burning corn to wood pellets and back at the touch of a button. The units feature idle, low, and high modes. The manufacturers' website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy. TRAEGER------------------pinnaclestove.com----------2* The GBU070 model is available for homes. It is not ready to add air conditioning to it. They have a dealer list on their website but they are mostly in Canada and the Northeast part of the U.S.A.
Our next set of ratings is for wood furnaces. These units burn logs and are connected to a duct system to transfer the heat throughout the home. BRAND-----------------WEBSITE--------------------RATING BLAZE KING------------blazeking.com----------------<1* This brand is manufactured in Canada by VALLEY COMFORT SYSTEMS and in the U.S. by BLAZE KING INDUSTRIES. The HWE68 model also has a built in backup electric furnace. They have a dealer locator by state/province on their website. The warranty on the firebox is not as good as most other brands. BRUNCO----------------brunks.com-------------------<1* These units are made by L.B. BRUNK & SONS INC. They offer units in three different sizes (120000, 150000, or 190000 btu/hr) but the warranty on the heat exchanger is not very good when compared to other brands. The manufacturer's website is not much help. CHARMASTER------------charmaster.com----------------5* This brand is available in the U.S. and Canada. The unit uses a two pipe vent system to prevent creosote buildup during milder weather. The CHALET model is for smaller homes. The units use over the fire draft versus an open grate system therefore the temperatures are lower. They have indoor models, outdoor models, and combination wood and oil or gas units. They have online pricing and ordering and are backed by a very good warranty. DAKA------------------dakacorp.com-----------------<1* The 622FBT model is a forced draft unit. The units can be ordered online but the warranty on the firebox is not as good as most brands. ENERGY KING-----------energyking.com----------------1* This brand is from RJM MANUFACTURING INC. The units are availabvle in manual, automatic, or forced draft models. They have a three speed blower motor but the firebox warranty is not very good. ENGLANDER-------------englanderstoves.com----------<1* This brand is from ENGLANDS STOVE WORKS INC. They are basic units designed to be added to existing furnace systems. They have a dealer locator by state on their website. The units are also sold through many hardware stores and home improvement centers. The warranty on the units is not very good. ENTERPRISE FAWCETT-- enterprise-fawcett.com ------1* These units are made in Canada and are available in North America. The WF series units are basic units with a warranty that is not very good. The manufacturer's website has a dealer locator with links. FALCON----------------falcongalv.com---------------<1* The standard F2500 model uses barometric draft and a belt drive blower. The F2500A is about the same except it does not have a blower and is designed to be added onto an existing furnace system. The F2500E model has a built in electric furnace for backup. The warranty on the firebox is not very good. FIRE CHIEF------------firechiefwoodfurnace.com-----<1* This brand is available in both indoor and outdoor models. They have a dealer locator by state on their website. The warranty on the firebox is not very good. HITZER----------------hitzer.com-------------------<1* This brand is available in two sizes. They are basic unit with firebrick lined chambers but the warranty on the units is not very good. They offer an optional 1 gallon water heater. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. HOTBLAST--------------usstove.com-------------------4* The 1950 model uses wood gasification combustion principles for improved efficiency. They have a dealer locator by state or zip code on their website. J.A. Roby-------------jaroby.com-------------------<1* These units are made and sold in Canada. The units feature double combustion (wood gasification) technology for clean and efficient burning. The furnaces are available through dealers or at hardware stores but the warranty is not very good when compared to other brands. KUUMA-----------------lamppakuuma.com---------------4* This furnace uses wood gasification to improve efficiency. The burn is electronically controlled to conserve wood. They are available in stand alone or add on models. ROYALL----------------royallfurnace.com-------------2* This brand is available in three sizes and has a three speed blower. They offer an optional stainless steel domestic hot water loop. SUMMERS HEAT----------englanderstoves.com----------<1* This is another brand from ENGLANDS STOVE WORKS INC. They are basic models designed to be added to existing furnace systems. They are available at many hardware stores and home improvement centers. The warranty on the units is not very good. TIMBER RIDGE----------englanderstoves.com----------<1* This is another brand from ENGLANDS STOVE WORKS INC. It is identical to the SUMMERS HEAT brand. VOGELZANG-------------vogelzang.com----------------<1* The NORSEMAN units are made in China and can be purchased online or at hardware and home improvement stores. The units can be installed either as add on units or as a stand alone central furnace. They offer an optional thermostat controlled forced draft kit. The units are very basic and the warranty is not very good. WOODCHUCK-------------woodchuckfurnace.com---------<1* This brand is made by MEYER MANUFACTURING and features add-on wood/coal furnaces. They are available in three sizes (120000, 150000, 180000 btu) and feature a three speed blower motor. The units have a secondary heat exchanger and forced draft blower for efficiency. They also offer an optional domestic hot water kit. The warranty on the units is not very good compared to other brands. YUKON-EAGLE ------- yukon-eagle.com -------------3* This brand is from ALPHA AMERICAN COMPANY. The BIG JACK or SUPER JACK models are wood only models for stand alone or add on applications. They also offer units with either oil, gas, or electric backup installed. They also offer an add on "HOT ROD" water heater.
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