Once in awhile I'll go out and load it up if we get some cool, rainy weather like we do occasionally in the spring. Advantages outnumber disadvantages While Shepka is pleased with the fuel savings he has realized, he said there are other advantages to the system. Shepka said that it takes very little maintenance to keep the system operating. My maintenance is one hour per month to go over the entire unit. Grease, oil, and other things like that, that's minimal.
Parts are easily accessibly.
There's nothing complicated and it was set up to be user friendly. Also, if a replacement part is required, I don't have to ship out to California for it. Shepka also didn't encounter any obstacles when he applied for the necessary permits from the city to install the system. The only problem he had to resolve after the system was in operation was determining the right ratio of hardwoods to softwoods he should be burning, it took about a year to get comfortable operating the system and Shepka said the manufacturer was very helpful in installing the system and overcoming any operating problems he encountered. The only real disadvantage to the system is the increased labor required to operate it.