Imagine a winter where your heating bill shrinks and your home stays cozy warm, powered by the simple warmth of wood. Sounds appealing, right? But when it comes to choosing an add-on wood furnace, the options can feel overwhelming. You want a reliable system that saves you money and keeps your family comfortable, but sifting through all the technical details and different brands can be a real headache.
You’re not alone in this. Many homeowners face the same challenge: how to find the best add-on wood furnace that fits their needs and budget. It’s a big decision that impacts your comfort and your wallet for years to come. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. We’ll break down what you need to know, so you can confidently pick the perfect furnace.
By the end of this post, you’ll understand the key features to look for, the benefits of different types, and how to make sure your new furnace works well with your existing heating system. Let’s dive in and discover how an add-on wood furnace can be a smart and satisfying choice for your home this winter and beyond.
Our Top 5 Add On Wood Furnace Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Add On Wood Furnace Detailed Reviews
1. 180
Rating: 9.2/10
Introducing the 180,000 BTU Wood Furnace, a powerful heating solution designed for large homes. This furnace delivers impressive warmth, capable of heating up to 3,500 square feet of living space. Its robust construction and efficient design make it an excellent choice for staying cozy during the coldest months.
What We Like:
- Powerful Heating: With 180,000 BTUs, it easily heats a large area, up to 3,500 square feet.
- Durable Design: The heavy-duty cast-iron door with a viewing window is built to last and lets you watch the fire.
- Eco-Friendly: It’s EPA Certified and boasts a 75% efficiency rating, meaning it burns wood cleanly and effectively.
- Large Log Capacity: It accepts logs up to 23 inches long, making loading easier and less frequent.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The firebrick lining helps boost efficiency and heating capacity, getting more heat from your wood.
What Could Be Improved:
- Installation Complexity: Like most powerful furnaces, professional installation might be required, adding to the initial cost.
- Fuel Availability: Requires a consistent supply of firewood, which needs to be sourced and stored.
This furnace offers substantial heating power and efficiency for larger homes. It’s a solid option for those seeking reliable and cost-effective warmth.
2. DAYTON 1TDP7 PSC Blower
Rating: 9.3/10
The DAYTON 1TDP7 PSC Blower is a black draft fan designed specifically for outdoor wood furnaces. It operates on 115 volts and moves 146 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM). This fan is built for reliable performance in demanding outdoor conditions, helping your wood furnace burn efficiently.
What We Like:
- It is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specialty blower, meaning it’s designed to work seamlessly with compatible furnaces.
- The blower is UL recognized for use in both the USA and Canada (E47479), ensuring it meets safety standards.
- It also holds CE certification, indicating compliance with European safety requirements.
- The package includes a discharge mounting flange, making installation simpler and more secure.
What Could Be Improved:
- This blower is not designed to be used with speed controllers, so its airflow is fixed at 146 CFM.
This DAYTON blower offers a solid and safe solution for maintaining good airflow in your outdoor wood furnace. Its certifications and included mounting flange make it a dependable choice for many users.
3. Magnetic Wood Stove Thermometer is Used As a Top Thermometer for Wood Combustion Furnaces
Rating: 9.0/10
Keep your wood-burning furnace, pellet stove, or gas furnace running safely and efficiently with this Magnetic Wood Stove Thermometer. This handy device is designed to sit right on top of your stove or chimney pipe, giving you a clear and accurate temperature reading. It helps prevent overheating, which can damage your chimney pipes and potentially cause bigger problems. This thermometer is a must-have for anyone who uses these types of heating systems.
What We Like:
- High Quality Construction: It has a sturdy aluminum dial, a smooth handle, brass pointers, and a reliable metal sensor for safe and easy temperature checks.
- Wide Compatibility: This thermometer sticks to any magnetic metal stove, including wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves, and gas stoves, helping you maintain comfortable heat.
- Easy to Use Functionality: A strong magnet on the back lets you place it directly on your stove or pipe for accurate monitoring of your fire.
- Accurate Readings: With a temperature range of 100-900°F and a precise sensor, it gives you reliable measurements and helps protect your furnace fan from overheating.
- Thoughtful Gift Idea: Its attractive design and practical use make it a wonderful gift for friends and family, adding a touch of warmth and safety to their winter.
What Could Be Improved:
- Limited Color Options: Currently only available in one color.
- Magnet Strength on Non-Magnetic Surfaces: While strong on magnetic surfaces, it might not hold as securely on non-magnetic materials without additional support.
This thermometer is a practical and attractive addition to any home heating setup. It provides peace of mind and helps ensure your stove operates at its best.
4. Central Boiler Outdoor Wood Furnace Door Seal Kit
Rating: 9.4/10
Keep your Central Boiler outdoor wood furnace running efficiently with this easy-to-install door seal kit. This kit replaces worn-out seals, preventing heat loss and ensuring your furnace works its best. A good seal is crucial for getting the most heat from your wood and keeping your home warm.
What We Like:
- Easy to install: You don’t need to be a pro to get this kit in place. It’s designed for simple, DIY installation.
- Improves efficiency: A tight seal means less warm air escapes. This helps your furnace burn wood more effectively, saving you money and fuel.
- Protects your furnace: A good seal keeps out rain and snow, which can damage your furnace over time.
- Durable material: The seals are made from tough stuff that can handle the heat and weather.
What Could Be Improved:
- Instructions could be clearer: While easy to install, some users might want more detailed visual guides.
- Availability: Sometimes, getting specific parts can take a little longer than expected.
This Central Boiler Outdoor Wood Furnace Door Seal Kit is a smart buy for any homeowner looking to maintain their furnace. It’s a simple fix that makes a big difference in performance and longevity.
5. Rutland Furnace Cement
Rating: 8.7/10
Got a crack in your wood stove or a leaky boiler? Rutland Furnace Cement is here to help! This black, pre-mixed cement is made in the USA and is designed to fix all sorts of high-heat metal repairs. It works great on metal, cast iron, and steel, so you can trust it for your wood stoves, boilers, and even gas ceramic logs. It’s ready to use right out of the can.
What We Like:
- It’s super easy to use because it’s already mixed.
- It sticks really well to metal surfaces, creating a strong bond.
- You can use it for many different repairs, like fixing cracks, resetting firebricks, or attaching stove collars.
- It can handle really high temperatures, up to 2000° F (1090° C), which is perfect for stoves and boilers.
- It seals metal-to-metal or metal-to-masonry joints securely.
What Could Be Improved:
- It needs to be heated to cure properly. If you don’t heat it, it might dry out and change color over time.
Rutland Furnace Cement is a reliable fix for your heating appliances. Just remember to follow the instructions for heating it up to get the best results.
Choosing the Best Add-On Wood Furnace: Your Warm Home Guide
An add-on wood furnace can be a fantastic way to supplement your existing heating system. It burns wood to create extra heat, which then circulates through your home. This can save you money on your heating bills and provide a cozy ambiance. Let’s explore what makes a good add-on wood furnace.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for an add-on wood furnace, keep these important features in mind.
- Heating Capacity (BTUs): This tells you how much heat the furnace can produce. You need enough BTUs to help heat your home, especially during cold snaps.
- Efficiency Rating: Higher efficiency means the furnace uses less wood to produce more heat. Look for furnaces with good efficiency ratings.
- Burn Time: This is how long the furnace can burn on a single load of wood. A longer burn time means less frequent reloading.
- Thermostat Control: Many modern furnaces have thermostats. This allows you to set your desired temperature, and the furnace will turn on and off as needed.
- Water Jacket/Heat Exchanger: This part transfers the heat from the burning wood to the air or water that circulates through your home. A well-designed one is crucial for efficient heating.
- Ash Pan: An easy-to-access ash pan makes cleaning up after burning wood much simpler.
Important Materials
The materials used in an add-on wood furnace greatly affect its durability and performance.
- Steel: Most furnaces are made of steel. Thicker steel is generally better because it lasts longer and holds up well to high temperatures.
- Cast Iron: Some parts, like doors or grates, might be made of cast iron. Cast iron is very strong and can withstand a lot of heat.
- Refractory Panels: These are special heat-resistant panels inside the firebox. They protect the steel from direct flame and help keep the fire hotter.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make an add-on wood furnace work better or worse.
- Good Insulation: Proper insulation around the furnace helps keep the heat inside where it belongs, making it more efficient.
- Airflow Control: The ability to control the airflow to the fire is very important. Good airflow control lets you manage how fast the wood burns.
- Weld Quality: Strong, well-made welds on the steel parts prevent leaks and ensure the furnace is safe.
- Door Seals: Tight-fitting door seals stop heat from escaping and unwanted air from getting in.
- Overheating Protection: Features that prevent the furnace from getting too hot are vital for safety and longevity.
User Experience and Use Cases
Add-on wood furnaces are great for different situations.
- Supplementing Existing Heat: Many people use them to take the edge off their main heating system. This is especially helpful in homes with electric heat or propane.
- Heating Workshops or Garages: If you have a separate building that gets cold, an add-on furnace can keep it warm.
- Reducing Heating Costs: Burning wood is often cheaper than electricity or gas. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bills.
- Emergency Heat: If your main heating system fails during a storm, a wood furnace can provide essential warmth.
- Ease of Use: Modern furnaces with thermostats and easy ash pans make burning wood more convenient than ever. You load the wood, set the temperature, and the furnace does the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is an add-on wood furnace?
A: An add-on wood furnace is a heating appliance that burns wood to create heat, which is then circulated through your home, usually to supplement your main heating system.
Q: How do I know what size furnace I need?
A: You need to consider the size of your home and how well it’s insulated. A heating professional can help you figure out the right size (BTU output) for your needs.
Q: Can an add-on wood furnace heat my entire home?
A: For most homes, an add-on furnace works best when it helps your existing heating system. Some very small, well-insulated homes might be heated solely by a wood furnace, but it’s less common.
Q: How often do I need to load wood?
A: This depends on the furnace’s burn time and how much heat you need. Some furnaces can burn for many hours on one load, while others might need refilling every few hours.
Q: Is burning wood expensive?
A: Burning wood can be very cost-effective, especially if you have access to affordable firewood. It often costs less than electricity or propane.
Q: Do I need special ductwork for an add-on wood furnace?
A: Most add-on furnaces connect to your existing ductwork. They blow hot air into the ducts, which then distributes it throughout your home.
Q: How do I maintain an add-on wood furnace?
A: You need to clean out the ash regularly and inspect the furnace for any damage. Annual professional check-ups are also a good idea.
Q: Are add-on wood furnaces safe?
A: When installed and used correctly, they are safe. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure proper ventilation.
Q: What kind of wood should I burn?
A: Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory burn longer and hotter than softwoods. Always burn seasoned (dry) wood.
Q: Will an add-on wood furnace increase my home insurance?
A: It’s possible. You should check with your insurance provider about any potential changes to your policy.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.