Updated 26 May 2017
Bottom line: This freestanding woodburner produced 4 kW when NES tested. It has a predominantly radiant and convective heating mode and is NES (clean-air) approved for urban areas. It has excellent emissions performance (significantly above average for a NES compliant woodburner) and very good efficiency (above average for a NES compliant woodburner).
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Testing for emissions, efficiency and power output using AS/NZS 4012/4013 was carried out by an independent lab in New Zealand.
We analyse data from National Environmental Standards (NES) testing to generate scores out of 10 for emissions and efficiency, along with an overall score. This gives us a clear picture of the performance, features and specifications for almost every model on the market.
Where available, we've also included the NZHHA output results. These results reflect the absolute maximum heat output you could achieve in your home.
Price is from the manufacturers’ survey and is without a flue kit unless stated otherwise.
Overall score includes:
Efficiency (60%)
Emissions (40%)
4
14.8
12 Aug 2017, Clare Hong Leng M.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
We have a wetback - save on hotwater bills. Throws out great heat and at times it gets too hot which we pick up very quickly that we do not need to use that much wood = $ savings! Love waking up in the morning to a warm house :) Hardly any ambers, ashes so save us a lot of time not needing to clean out the fireplace daily which we use to do with our previous log burner. We use the top a lot for cooking = another saving in gas/electricity. There is an option to purchase consumables for baking etc
Overseas visitors from warm countries love to light the fire because it is just too easy.
Cons:
Must use dry wood - which is a must for all fireplace anyway.
If the wood is too large then it is a problem to fit in - but through the past years buying wood from different wood suppliers we have not come across that much wood that we could not fit into the fireplace.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
06 Aug 2016, Chris M.
Product use: 3 - 6 months
Pros:
This fire gets a pretty unfair assessment by Consumer
Output and Efficiency: By using only the NES data it is not able to show its full potential - it simply can't get up to full output using this standardised test method. When running in the real world it puts out plenty of heat (est 10kW+) and for me uses less than half the wood of the fire it replaced
Wetback: Despite what the consumer article says, there is indeed a wetback option - that can either be factory installed, or retrofitted easily later
With the right hardwood can burn overnight (10+ hrs)
Cons:
Does need a dry hard wood for max effectiveness and overnight burn (but so do most fires)
More Pros:
* Looks Great - and has capability to change colours in the future by buying new panel set
* Option for wood drawer that doubles as a hearth makes it easy to install
* Able to cook on the top (using a trivet and/or oven accessory)
* Easy to light
* 2-3 typical pieces of firewood lasts 2-3hrs
Summary:
This is a fantastic fire. Ignore the number here and instead look at all the positive member reviews. Only an artificially low output rating keeps this from getting the top overall score that it deserves
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
07 Aug 2015, Sue Wilkins
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
This log burner truly does stay warm all night, and continues to give off warmth in the morning. When you do get up in the morning, as long as it has a few embers, it is the work of seconds to get it going again.
Because it works by heating up its ceramic liner, it gives off a fantastically even heat - you don't get the highs and lows that you get with other woodburners.
Cons:
To get the best performance out of this woodburner, it pays learn what it needs. You can't treat it like a 'normal' woodburner as it needs to burn hot to prevent the narrow flue from choking.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
27 Jul 2015, Shane C.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
We have an old industrial building that has a 5 metre stud. Before the Pyroclassic we had an open fire and a heat pump. The open fire did nothing unless you sat 1m away from it. The pyroclassic is amazing - it pumps out some major heat, we still have to use the heat pump as well, but now that is set at 21 or we turn it off, before we had it cranked up to 30 which was very costly. In a house with a normal ceiling height it would be incredible.
Cons:
Make sure you only burn really dry wood.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
02 Jul 2015, Nicola R.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
I absolutely love my Pyro!!!! 260 sqm house which is very long end to end. It heats all but the last few rooms. And it can really crank out the heat. The ceramic storage type heater surrounding the box pumps out heat for a day after it has been switched off. It is wonderful and sturdy and looks fab, stylish with the ability to match your décor.. I especially love that you can change panels or buy new if they re getting sooty for a very reasonable price. Shove kamahi or manuka on overnight and there will be coals in the morning so no messing about. Excellent smokeless burning.
Cons:
It rates low in tests because it takes a while to heat up the big barrel around the box, hence the 4KW rating. In my experience I would say its equivalent to at least a 15W, probably more once it gets going. And as it holds its heat, if you do need to light it, it heats up quickly if the fire has been on already that day but under stone cold test conditions, it doesn't perform well.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
20 Jun 2015, B J & MA
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
It is just wonderful. But you must follow the maker instructions regarding dry firewood. That requirement is critical. It truly does stay warm long after the fire has died. The efficiency is great. My wood consumption went down by at least 40% when I installed the PyroClassic.
You must not tighten the door handle too much.
Cons:
You must be careful of your firewood size. But I have no real cons
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
06 Jun 2015, Peter M W.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
We fitted this wood burner in our new 250sqm house and also have a heat-pump, but now don't use the HP. It is very efficient with wood, 3-4 pieces per night and leaves almost no ash. The firebox is long and narrow so keep in mind when splitting wood. Great colours, we have the red one and looks great in the house. The wood box underneath is great as it serves as a fire safe hearth and no messy wood basket. We have the wetback model and is excellent at water heating.
Cons:
No Cons, just remember to cut your wood long and narrow.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
23 May 2015, Graham P.
Product use: 3 - 6 months
Pros:
This fire is the best , i cannot understand how it rates so low on the NES test , read the reviews here and on the Pyroclassic site , made in Nz and does have the wet back option .
Cons:
Understand the fire by reading and watching the videos you will have no problems and a warm dry house .
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
27 Apr 2015, David R.
Product use: 1 month or less
Pros:
Gave up on the heatpump and installed a pyroclassic. Best decision ever. Awesome design, great colour range, excellent heat output, efficient on wood use, and has wetback option. Hopefully won't need ventilation system, clothes drier, or dehumidifier anymore plus power bills for heating and hotwater will be significantly less and you cook on it. Power outages won't be a problem anymore.
Cons:
No cons but be aware of the recommended wood size and fire box size, ie long and narrow (opposite to most wood which is short and wide).
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
26 Apr 2015, Wilhelmina E.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
Our house is 134 sqm and is in Canterbury. We use just the pyroclassic to heat the house and our hot water. The fire burns really hot and has minimal ash residual. The ceramic fire box keeps the room warm after the fire has died down - we can get this to burn overnight and it has a lot less smoke than our old woodburner. Aesthetically, it is a very modern fire and looks great in a new, contemporary home. The woodbox underneath means no messy wood basket in the house.
Cons:
The flu is very narrow which means that it needs an experienced person to clean the chimney - however, because it is so efficient, we found after a year of burning, that there was nothing to clean!!
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
03 Aug 2014, Judith B.
Product use: 6 months or more
Pros:
We love this product. It does have a wetback option and comes in a range of many colours. Our house, approximately 180 sq metres is entirely heated by the one heater beautifully. It burns overnight and the ceramic fire-chamber then remains warm for quite a few hours after the last embers die. I have never had such an efficient wood heater.
Cons:
the flue is narrow so you must make sure the wood is really dry. WE just make sure we buy our wood in summer so it has plenty of time to dry out.
Recommend it?
Yes, I recommend this product.
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