We had an ncb-120 installed in December 2014. We heat our 1600 sq. Ft. Home with it. After a couple of years of trial and error (mostly not putting in enough wood at night, or having the wood "bridge" and not fall down in the hot coals), we seem to have figured it out. I do go through a lot of wood – that's the only downside. But, if I keep it clean (as much as I can do that when it's burning) and keep the inside scraped free of creosote, it burns very well. Here are some pros and cons with our furnace installation: Pros: 1. Eric and Gary at NC have always been helpful on the phone. We live about 4 hours south of the factory and had a fellow install it that had one in his house. Any issues or questions, I could call the factory and receive help. 2. It works. When I do my part (filling it at night, cleaning, emptying ash drawer) it keeps the house warm. I DO have to be careful when it's 45 or higher outside – I've "popped the cork" a few times but that's rare. 3. Mine seems to be built very well – still solid into its 4th year. 4. My pump lasted three years before I proactively replaced it – I'd heard the horror stories about pumps lasting just months, so I didn't want to push it. The old pump still works. 5. The water line insulation is efficient. We had construction done in our yard where the pipe has to go and it was exposed all last winter, but it still kept the air coming out the duct at 90-95 degrees. With it buried this year, 100-103 is common. We have to cross a wide ditch with it so part of it is going to be exposed, can't help it, but it sure works. 6. Hot water – we had the water heater manifold installed. With one minor plumbing change, it is now supplying all our hot water as our water heater has a bad element or worse. The water went from 103 degrees to 125+. This gives us time to deal with the W.H. in the spring. CONS: 1. I do go through a lot of wood. We have an older, retired friend who supplies us with seasoned wood that's reasonably-priced and so I don't have to play with my chain saw a lot. I'm no Paul Bunyon, for sure! 2. The Honeywell aquastat that came with the furnace was wonky. I'd notice it being cool in the house and go outside to find the temp at 130 or so, not near hot enough (I like 175). If I flicked it with my finger, it would start the blower, as the spring would get stuck. I ordered a digital one and had it installed. It's been great – when set at 175 with a 5-degree variance, when the temp hits 170 it kicks the blower on and then off at exactly 175. I do recommend the digital version. Now to figure a way to run a wire to the house with a temp display… Anyway, that's how it's worked for us. Even if we buy wood weekly, it's cheaper than the LP we were using before. Since we're in the boonies and there's no natural gas line around, this wood boiler is the only thing that makes sense in terms of heating.
