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[tnguy]

Hi guys been lurking for a while, first post so be easy on me. I have been looking at many models and lots of websites however i have one question that i dont see much info on. A guy in my area builds a furnace that blows straight air into duct work without the use of water or pipe, just duct. It is 2200.00 which is considerably cheaper. Im sure it is not as good as the other models, due to the old fact you get what you pay for. Any advice would be appreciated.

[martyinmi]

Check with your insurance agent and make sure your policy covers them. I seen one at at the ag show in Louisville Ky about 6 or 7 years back, so I grabbed a flyer and showed it to my agent. He told me I could install one, but I'd have to go with a different insurance company and my rate would go up. They considered them in the same category with the furnace add-ons.

[tnguy]

Thanks, any idea of heating comparison?

[martyinmi]

I honestly do not remember. I would bet the efficiencies are about the same as you'd expect from some of the more efficient conventional style OWB's, like the P&M's and others that have a multi-pass design. I have long since thrown away that literature, but it seems like they boasted about an 8-12 hour burn time between loadings. I owned the biggest one I could buy from TSC about 22 years ago and in very cold weather with an average insulated 2000 sq.ft house I could not get more than an 6 hour burn.
   You are referring to a basement furnace, aren't you? There is also a furnace out there that sits next to your house that blows hot air in through a window and pulls cool air from your basement. Insurance company's hate them too.
   By the way- Welcome to this site.   

[tnguy]

Thanks for the welcome, lots of info here. If i understand correctly its basicially like a basement furnace but sits outside.

[martyinmi]

I guess I would take the furnace information(clearances,UL listing,etc.) to your agent and see what he says.