- The answer to whether you should get a heat reclaimer depends on how efficient your stove is.
- If it’s an old barrel stove or one of the cheaper “ranch” style box stoves that don’t have internal baffling and aren’t air-tight, then I would go ahead with a heat reclaimer
- If it’s a newer stove equipped with baffles and quality air control where your smoke temp can get pretty low anyway then you should avoid them (Source)
As a lifelong resident of New England, I’m well-acquainted with the cold winters. I’ve tried all sorts of ways to keep my home warm, but this year I’m trying something new: a heat reclaimer.
I was a little skeptical at first, but after doing some research I decided to give it a try. And I’m glad I did! The installation was easy and it’s been really effective in keeping my home warm. Plus, it’s saved me a lot of money on my heating bill.
If you’re looking for an affordable way to stay warm this winter, it’s definitely worth considering.
So, what is a heat reclaimer?
A heat reclaimer is a device that captures the heat that would otherwise be lost through your chimney and recirculates it back into your home. That can help improve the efficiency of your stove, saving you money on your heating bill.
Contents
- My favorite heat reclaimer
- Do you need one?
- The 5 Best Heat Reclaimers
- 1. The HY-C Magic Heat Reclaimer
- Pros:
- Cons:
- Video overview
- 2. The US Stove MH6 Miracle Heat Reclaimer
- Pros:
- Cons:
- Video overview
- 3. The US Stove HR-6 Vogelzang Heat Reclaimer
- Pros:
- Cons:
- 4. The HY-C MH-8R Magic Heat Reclaimer
- Pros:
- Cons:
- 5. The US Stove MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer
- Pros:
- Cons:
- FAQs
- How does a heat reclaimer work?
- What are the benefits of using a heat reclaimer?
- What are some things to consider when choosing a heat reclaimer?
- How I got mine installed
- Conclusion
My favorite heat reclaimer
- Improves efficiency of older stoves and furnaces
As the weather starts to cool down, many homeowners are looking for ways to keep their homes warm. One way to do this is by using a heat reclaimer.
A heat reclaimer is a device that helps to recapture the heat that would otherwise be lost through the chimney.
Do you need one?
There are many different types of heat reclaimers on the market, so it is important to choose the right one for your home. Below are the top five heat reclaimers based on customer reviews.
The 5 Best Heat Reclaimers
1. The HY-C Magic Heat Reclaimer
The HY-C Magic Heat Reclaimer is a popular heat reclaimer for wood-burning heating systems. It features a crimp-down configuration that allows it to fit a 6″ flue diameter, and it has a soot scraper built in to clean the tubes internally.
It also has a toggle switch that allows its powerful fan to operate in either thermostat control mode or run continuously. The heat reclaimer is constructed in the United States, and it comes with a one-year limited guarantee. The reclaimer installation is straightforward as it plugs into any standard 110V household outlet.
Pros:
- It is simple to install
- Internal soot scraper included for tubes
- Two-mode 225 CFM fan operation
Cons:
- Some buyers claimed it was unsafe.
Video overview
2. The US Stove MH6 Miracle Heat Reclaimer
The US Stove MH6 Miracle Heat 6-Inch Heat Reclaimer is a top-quality product that can improve the efficiency of your older stove or furnace. It is automatic in its operation and the installation is hassle-free. All you only need to mount it on the outside of your stove or furnace.
The MH6 is fully sealed from flue gases and is compatible with all coal or wood stoves. In addition, it features an ultra-quiet blower which makes it very effective in circulating heat around your home.
The reclaimer weighs just 11.9 pounds and measures 15.5 x 12.5 x 13 inches, making it a compact and lightweight unit that is easy to store when not in use. Overall, the US Stove MH6 Miracle Heat Reclaimer is excellent for anyone looking for a high-quality and effective heat reclaimer.
Pros:
- Improves efficiency of older stoves
- Automatic operation
- Ultra-quiet blower
- Compact and lightweight
Cons:
- It is noisy
Video overview
3. The US Stove HR-6 Vogelzang Heat Reclaimer
The HR-6 Heat Reclaimer is a completely automated, quiet blower for all coal or wood stoves with a 6-inch flue pipe. This unit will significantly increase the efficiency of your stove by reclaiming lost heat and circulating it back into your home.
The HR-6 is completely gas-tight, allowing you to raise the efficiency of your stove while maintaining a safe and effective technique. This unit’s wide compatibility makes it a versatile addition to any home.
Pros:
- Fully automatic and quiet
- Fits all coal or wood stoves with a 6-inch flue pipe
- Sealed from flue gases
- Increases the efficiency of your stove
Cons:
- May is not fit all stove models perfectly.
4. The HY-C MH-8R Magic Heat Reclaimer
If you have a wood-burning stove, you know that a lot of the heat goes up the chimney and is wasted. But with the HY-C MH-8R Magic Heat Reclaimer, you can reclaim some of that heat and put it back into your home!
This UL-listed heat reclaimer is designed for use with wood-burning systems, and it can reclaim up to 30% of the heat that would otherwise be lost. It takes a few minutes to install and plugs into any standard 110V household outlet.
Plus, the onboard soot scraper cleans the tubes internally for optimum performance. Get the most out of your wood-burning stove with the HY-C MH-8R Magic Heat Reclaimer.
Pros:
- Easy DIY installation
- Plugs into standard 110V outlet
- Onboard soot scraper cleans tubes internally
Cons:
- Too much noise
5. The US Stove MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer
We all know that a lot of heat is lost up the chimney, and the MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer is designed to reclaim some of that heat. It’s fairly quiet and fully automated, so it’s simple to use, and the installation is a snap.
The MH8 is completely sealed to flue gases, allowing your stove to run efficiently and allowing it to be installed up to 24 inches away from the stove in an 8-inch stove pipe. If you’re looking to save some money on your heating bill, the US Stove MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer is a great choice.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet blower
- Fully automatic operation
- Effortless installation
- Sealed from flue gases
Cons:
- Hard to take apart
FAQs
How does a heat reclaimer work?
A heat reclaimer typically consists of a blower and a heat exchange unit. The blower circulates the air in your home, and the heat exchange unit captures the heat from your chimney and recirculates it back into your home.
What are the benefits of using a heat reclaimer?
Using a heat reclaimer can help improve the efficiency of your wood-burning stove, saving you money on your heating bill. It can also help to reduce the amount of heat lost through your chimney, making your home more comfortable.
What are some things to consider when choosing a heat reclaimer?
When choosing a heat reclaimer, you’ll want to consider the size of your stove, the type of flue you have, and the climate in your home. You’ll also want to consider the features offered by different models and choose one that best meets your needs.
How I got mine installed
I was a little skeptical when I first heard about heat reclaimers. I had always been told that most of the heat from my stove was lost up the chimney, and I wasn’t sure if a heat reclaimer could really change that. But after doing some research, I decided to give it a try.
The installation was easy and it only took a few minutes. Granted, I had to hire a contractor, lot of the old models of heat reclaimers were big and bulky, and they needed to be installed by a professional. But the US Stove MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer is much smaller and can be easily installed by anyone.
Once it was up and running, I immediately noticed a difference. My stove was more efficient and my home felt a LOT warmer. Plus, I saved a ton of money on my heating bill! I would definitely recommend the US Stove MH8 Miracle Heat Reclaimer to anyone looking for a way to improve the efficiency of their stove.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to improve the efficiency of your wood-burning stove, then a heat reclaimer is a great choice. There are a variety of models to choose from, so be sure to consider your needs when making your selection. Heat reclaimers can help you save money on your heating bill and make your home more comfortable.