I am thinking of buying (from Bunnings) and installing a Scandia Edge 70 Wood Heater, mainly because it looks good, and the price is right!
I was interested in independent objective product reviews and constructive alternative suggestions. I did come across only two comments which appeared to come from the same disgruntled customer (same place, same time) - really not enough to base a decision on. I did not come across any good comments. However, there must be hundreds of people who have installed these wood heaters, and have not commented (indicating that perhaps they are satisfied (?)).
Can’t comment on the heater in question, however, having recently moved from the warmth of Brisbane to Tasmania, and learning very fast about wood fired heaters, one thing to check is that consumables within the heater are readily available…such as baffle plates and firebricks (if not standard size).
Also, look into the gauge of steel used in the floor, walls and ceiling of the fire chamber. The thicker the better as it can increase oven life…especially for regularly used heaters (most seem to say 8mm as a minimum).
If the heater is used for heating a room/house, the efficiency rating of the heater as well as whether it has fans to maximise heating potential (doesn’t rely of radiant heat only…whereby more heat goes up the chimney stack increasing running costs).
The final thing is to see that the standard wood size is from your local wood supplier…if the heater has a smaller chamber than the local supply, you many find yourself either paying more to get wood resized to meet you needs or spending a lot of time cutting/splitting your own wood…which may be be overly convenient.
One of the posters on Whirlpool notes that some of the cheaper Scandia fireboxes/chambers are made with relatively light weight materials (5-5.5mm thickness). I wonder if they are more for show, for light use rather than efficient heating functionality.
It would be worthwhile also looking for prospective installers in your area and discussing their experience and observations. There are specialist installers. Most councils appear to require a licensed plumber to do the install.
P.S.
Depending on which state and local council area there are building code and council requirements for who can install the heaters. It is an easy out for your insurer if the house burns down. It is wise to have a written record of installation in a safe place just in case. It’s worthwhile checking with your insurer if they have any requirements. EG, annual clean of the flu by a chimney sweep?
Edit added link BCC as an example guide to ownership and use.
I am in a rural setting, good burning wood is cheap. I loved the idea of a combustion stove, good looking, comforting, cheap fuel, enough power to heat most or all of the house on those -4C nights.
Then I looked to some of the local villages and isolated houses like mine on cold still nights and with great regret gave up on the idea.
They were sitting in a cloud. If there is any chance of a temperature inversion happening and if you are in the valley not on the hill much of your smoke will sit around the house on still nights. Those particulates are pretty nasty even for a well designed heater that doesn’t leak in the house and burns fairly cleanly. If any member of the household has breathing problems you may regret it.
