EPA Phase 2 Certified Furnace

[Mojappa]

I've learned many years ago it's best to cry once than to either have buyers remorse or to spend even more $$ in the long run to get what you originally wanted. One example which comes to mind is when I bought tires years ago for one of my cars. I really wanted a set of BFG KD's (King of Dry, a dry only tire). I didn't want to spend the money so I went with something cheaper but still had great reviews. Well, I know I made a mistake driving the car on the way home. The car felt like it was riding on a pillow, something I hated. Those tires didn't last 1,000 miles and they were replaced by the KD's I originally wanted. By trying to save money it actually ended up costing me more money in the long run.

I agree totally but I did back my decision up with loads of research. Initially a friend was trying to sell me on the Hot Blast since they were so cheap, didn't take long to figure out that going with the cheapest furnace I could find was only going to escalate the fruatration in my battle with wood heat. The Drolet seemed to get good reviews and was at the top of my budget. I know it's not the best I could've gotten but it does seem like it will at least be efficient and warm my house finally. if I had found a way to fund the Kuuma there would be no money left for the install. from what I gather the biggest "issue" with the Drolet is remedied by adding a speed controller to the blower fan so it will run continuously at low RPM instead of constantly cycling. So long as it burns better than the Fire Chief I'll be happy lol. coming from an inefficient Fisher in the basement I am hopeful that there will be a night and day difference with heat distribution.

 

[STIHLY DAN]

I do not agree, I am the one who came up with the controller idea. It helps but does not do the same thing as the kumma. The kumma would do even better if they incorporated this, but they are already number one so why would they? I have the Kumma and have not done this because i am happy with the way it runs.

 

[Mojappa]

Didn’t mean to imply that that mod made them equal, just that it improved the Drolet’s heating ability. My apologies for unintended confusion, I’m well aware my $2000 furnace will never perform like a $5,000 one. Thanks for your time invested making improvements.

 

[STIHLY DAN]

Thank you for the nice comments. Price is irrelevant, If SBI made the Kuuma it would be a lower price, mass production and all. Take cord wood, I can by it for $275 a cord. But if I were to sell my wood processed by me, It would be $500 or more. Because of the amount of time it took me to do so with the equipment I have. Twice the price doesn't always mean a better product.

 

[Highbeam]

If SBI made the Kuuma it would be a lower price, mass production and all

If or when? I wonder how long the kuuma design can stay kuuma's before they either sell or get copied. Remember when fuel injection first came out? Now they all have it.

Price is very relevant to most folks. If efficiencies gained by mass production (but same quality of course) bring the price down for the consumer then doesn't everybody win?

 

[STIHLY DAN]

Thats why they invented patents. So the inventors of good products don't get screwed. Thats a major issue with manufacturing in China. They don't follow patents, ergo the predator engine, a carbon copy of honda. So yes everyone wins except the inventor. WHICH IS WRONG.

 

[Highbeam]

Reverse engineering if necessary but look at all the noncat tube stoves. They all use a very very similar technology to meet emissions regulations. You know that nobody wants to reinvent the wheel.

 

[brenndatomu]

Reverse engineering if necessary but look at all the noncat tube stoves. They all use a very very similar technology to meet emissions regulations. You know that nobody wants to reinvent the wheel.

Yeah, I have wondered before how many Kuumas are at "ACME Stoveworks" right now for this very purpose? You know there has to be a few...