Hello everyone, getting ready to buy the OWB in the next couple of weeks. Been online a ton learning more and more. I'm getting close, but want to get some up-to-date summer '14 opinions on this one. Here's where I'm at:
Seems the favorites are CB, P&M, Heatmor, Heatmaster. I think I've ruled out stainless steel. Been talking to the CB dealer who's 50 mi away and he seems pretty solid. Going by there Monday to look at his setup and stock. Pretty sure at this point I will go with a CB. I'll admit the July rebate for $400-600 is enticing. But I'm not gonna let that be the most important factor.
The new federal rules that go into effect next year seem to have major implications for this industry and thus my decision. The way I understand it companies will no longer be able to manufacture "classic" or non-gassifying boilers. For most of them that is their bread and butter and always has been. Seems like those companies are going to struggle to make the jump to all gassifier sales. Companies will probably shut down. From what I understand CB has been in the gassifier game for 10ish years, and their e-classics basically wrote the book the EPA is reading and repeating. Perhaps this is not perfectly accurate, and I hope someone will step in here if that is not the case. If that is the case, CB seems like a better bet to survive the next couple of years and be around to stand behind their product in the years to follow.
But for now I still have the choice, Classic or E-Classic. If they were closer in price I would probably go for the E-Classic. I like the idea and efficiency of "full burn" or whatever you want to call it. I'm an energy geek, so getting all the BTUs out of the wood sounds nice. But maybe not $5000 nice. The emissions thing matters too, but I really don't feel like my carbon footprint is going to be that much bigger by burning wood traditionally vs. gassifying. Guess I could do the math, but I don't really think that should be the decisive factor either.
I guess the most important thing to me is using it. Time spent operating and maintaining. I don't mind working for my heat instead of paying for it, but less is better than more in either regard. So how much time will I spend on getting wood ready, and how much time will I spend cleaning the unit I suppose have become my primary points of comparison.
I have plenty of wood available on the property. Seasoning it won't be too much trouble, we already keep wood for years and burn the oldest stuff. Burn from one end and add to the other. But it will take extra effort I believe to store a larger amount and maintain dryness so carefully for such a long period of time (for the e-classic) as opposed to just choppin and burnin a little more loosely (for the classic). So that is a consideration.
Also the quality, we don't have oak or locust trees die or fall every year. Sometimes we get lucky, but sometimes I'll be burning poplar and other less-than-ideal woods. In fact I have a LOT of poplar right now. A whole lot.
At the same time, some things say I'll burn 40% less with the E-Classic. Can anyone confirm this notion? That would be pretty significant.
Finally maintenance. Seems like weekly cleaning is necessary with the E-Classic, but maybe not so with the Classic? How much time do you guys normally spend on the unit doing things besides loading wood into the firebox? And pretty much plan on a deep cleaning once a year on either type?
It is fairly easy to make a case for E-Classic, until you throw in the $5k price difference and it tips the scale right back in the middle somewhere. Instead of spinning my wheels any longer I thought I would see what others had to say. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you guys might have.
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Topic: Classic or E-Classic? (Read 3889 times)