HVAC For Beginners

Wood Furnace Ratings

A Repairman Reviews The Brands

With our wood furnace ratings, you can compare furnace models side by side using our Head To Head tool. You can compare seventeen models from eleven brands in thirteen categories such as warranty, efficiency, construction, availability, & where they are made. You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below. These ratings are for ducted wood burning furnaces. Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairgGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our wood furnace reviews, you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you!

HvacRepairGuy's 2023 Top Pick

BENJAMIN

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

These units are made in Canada and are sold through a limited dealer network but their warranty is not as good as some of the other brands. The WK 400 furnace is designed to be added to an existing furnace system but can stand alone when an optional blower is ordered. They are for indoor installation only and are not EPA certified clean burning units so they cannot be installed in all areas of the country.

BRECKWELL

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is a part of NATIONAL STEELCRAFTERS and the furnaces are made in Canada. The SWF1035 indoor furnace is EPA certified for clean burning and has a 180,000 BTU heating capacity. The heat exchanger is lined with firebrick which raises the burn temperature for cleaner burning and they have a 75% heating efficiency. The units have dual blowers and can accept a 23 inch long log but they are only sold through a limited dealer network.

CADDY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in Canada by STOVE BUILDER INTERNATIONAL for PSG Distribution and the furnaces are sold through their dealer network. The Advanced model is EPA certified for clean burning and has a 47,000 BTU heating capacity. The unit is equipped with a standard single speed blower motor but offers an optional ECM motor upgrade. The furnace features self-regulated combustion where the system automatically adjusts the combustion supply air and they are backed by a very good warranty.

DROLET

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These furnaces are made in Canada by STOVE BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL and are sold at retailers in the USA and Canada or they can be purchased directly through the manufacturer's website. The Heat Commander furnaces feature state of the art two stage combustion control and are EPA certified clean burning units. They have a 75,000 BTU heating capacity with a 81% efficiency and they can accept logs up to 21 inches in length. They have a window for viewing the fire and are backed by a very good guarantee.

EARTH

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is sold through a dealer network but can be ordered directly from factory through their website. The Bear Cub 305-FA model has a single speed blower and a 140,000 BTU heating capacity. It is backed by a good warranty and accepts up to 30 inch long logs.

ENERGY KING

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is from Royall Products LLC and they are made in the USA. The furnaces are for indoor installation and are available in three models to match the needs of the home. They do not include a blower as standard equipment but a three speed blower is offered as an option. The units can be purchased directly through their website but the guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands and they are not EPA certified clean burning which means they cannot be installed in all areas of the country.

FIRE CHIEF

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by HY-C manufacturing and is sold through a very limited dealer network. They feature wood gasification combustion to meet EPA clean burn standards and have a durable stainless steel lined firebox. The FC1000E furnace has a 143,500 BTU heating capacity and can burn logs up to 20 inches in length. The furnaces have a standard single speed blower but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands.

HITZER

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is sold by a very limited dealer network. They offer two sizes of furnaces that do not include a blower as standard equipment but one is offered as an option as well as a domestic hot water coil. The Hitzer 55 has a 75,000 BTU heating capacity and accepts logs up to 26 inches in length while the Hitzer 82 has a 125,000 BTU capacity and can use up to 30 inch long logs.

JA ROBY

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and the furnaces are sold at BMR stores in the country where they are backed by a pretty good guarantee. The units feature firebrick lined combustion chambers and a stainless steel secondary air system for clean burning as well as a window for viewing the fire. They have a 73.9% efficiency, can burn logs that are up to 25 inches long, and have two speed blowers to circulate the heat. The Grizzly Tor model has a 70,000 BTU heating capacity while the ULTF model has a 140,000 BTU capacity.

KUUMA

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Lamppa Manufacturing INC and can be purchased directly through their website. The Vapor-Fire 100 furnace features computer controlled gasification combustion. It has a step motor to control the combustion air to precisely match the heating requirements and the blower is controlled by the home's thermostat. The internal parts are stainless steel for durability and the unit is lined with firebrick but the warranty is not as good as some of the other brands.

ROYALL

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

The furnaces are for indoor installation and are available in three models to match the needs of the home. They do not include a blower as standard equipment but a three speed blower is offered as an option. The units can be purchased directly through their website but the guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands and they are not EPA certified clean burning which means they cannot be installed in all areas of the country.

SHELTER

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by HY-C manufacturing and is sold at Menards, Tractor Supply, & The Home Depot. They feature wood gasification combustion to meet EPA clean burn standards and have a durable stainless steel lined firebox. The SF1000E furnace has a 152,000 BTU heating capacity and can burn logs up to 20 inches in length. The furnaces have a standard single speed blower but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands.

THERMO-CONTROL

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by National Stove Works and can be purchased directly through their website. The furnaces do not come standard with a blower but they are an optional accessory. They offer five sizes of furnace for indoor installation but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands.

US STOVE

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is sold at home & home improvement stores but their warranty is not as good as some of the other brands. The Hot Blast HB1520 furnace is EPA certified with a 75% efficiency and a fire brick lined combustion chamber. The unit has two blowers, a 180,000 BTU heating capacity, and accepts logs up to 23 inches in length.

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