Photo Release -- New Outdoor Wood Gasification Furnace -- One of the Cleanest Ways to Heat With Wood

GREENBUSH, Minn., March 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest advance in clean wood-burning technology from Central Boiler allows people to heat their homes and other buildings using an outdoor wood furnace that produces nearly no smoke while approaching 100 percent combustion efficiency. The new E-Classic 2400, one of the most efficient and clean outdoor wood furnaces available, today was introduced by Central Boiler at the 2010 Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo in Orlando, Fla.

Central Boiler's new E-Classic 2400, one of the most efficient and clean-burning outdoor wood furnaces available, produces nearly no smoke while approaching 100 percent combustion efficiency.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7206

The E-Classic 2400 qualifies for Phase 2 of the EPA's Hydronic Heater program. The E-Classic 2400 has a delivered thermal efficiency of over 92 percent with a maximum of 260,000 Btu/hr heat output rating, giving homeowners an environmentally sound wood furnace that offers independence from fossil fuels as their main heat source. In addition, some consumers qualify for a federal tax energy credit of up to $1,500 for purchasing the totally renewable, carbon-neutral energy system for their home.

The E-Classic 2400 features a three-stage combustion process that drastically reduces particulate emissions because it burns wood so completely. This wood-gasification technology allows homeowners to heat their homes safely and cost-effectively while preserving the air quality for themselves and their neighbors. The E-Classic 2400 has potential to redefine outdoor wood furnaces by alleviating the smoke issues associated with inefficient products.

"Most people expect smoke to come out of a chimney. When they see the chimney on the

E-Classic, they can't believe that it is actually burning wood," said Dennis Brazier, president, founder and chief executive officer of Central Boiler. "No other product has a greater impact on reducing a homeowner's carbon footprint when compared to heating with nonrenewable fuels."

Unlike many wood-burning stoves and furnaces, the E-Classic 2400's controlled combustion delivers the proper amount of oxygen at optimal intervals, preventing the wood from burning too rapidly or to smolder by burning too slowly. In addition, the company's Xtract heat exchanger uses water to transfer heat from the extremely hot gases, producing exceptionally high thermal efficiency with low emissions per Btu of heat output.

"This technology makes the E-Classic 2400 one of the cleanest and most efficient and convenient ways to heat with wood," Brazier explained. "A homeowner may eliminate their 'driving' carbon footprint by heating their home with the E-Classic 2400. In fact, emissions from the E-Classic 2400 are less than one-third of the levels allowed to meet EPA Phase 2 qualification."

Central Boiler has worked closely with the EPA since 1995. Most recently, the company, along with other hydronic heater manufacturers and state air regulators, worked together with the EPA in establishing testing standards for measuring emissions and efficiency. These test standards are used in EPA's Phase 2 program for qualifying cleaner, more efficient hydronic heater models.

An optional gas burner can be installed on the E-Classic 2400 that will light the wood fire with a push of a button. The wood furnace offers homeowners an efficient way to heat their homes, outbuildings, water for household use and swimming pools/spas, or for agricultural buildings.

For more information about the E-Classic 2400, a product brochure and images, visit http://www.centralboiler.com/brochure.html.

For information about the EPA's Hydronic Heater program, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/owhhlist.html.

Central Boiler is North America's largest manufacturer of quality outdoor wood, wood pellet and corn furnaces. Based on 25 years of engineering wood-burning systems and a desire to create safer and more efficient heating products, the company's innovations and patents have established Central Boiler as a leader in product quality. The uncompromising attitude to manufacture the best and always strive to make it better is at the core of the company's growth. Central Boiler products are sold by more than 400 authorized dealers throughout the United States and Canada. Central Boiler is located in Greenbush, Minn., where it was established in 1984. Visit http://www.centralboiler.com  for more information.

E-Classic and Xtract are trademarks of Central Boiler.

The Central Boiler logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7205