I can't say enough good things about the ht3000. I have been using it for 3 winters now and it replaced my old Vermont Castings Defiant. It uses less wood, puts out more heat, burns longer, produces way less smoke, and I have to clean the chimney much less often. I also don't have to babysit it nearly as much when I am burning hard during a bad cold spell. Also, the sides and back of the stove don't get nearly as hot so it's a bit safer. The heat radiates out of the top and the front predominantly. I am burning between 5 and 6 cord a year and I have not observed any significant signs of wear. You need to use good dry well seasoned wood. It did take me a little bit to get the hang of burning good fires in it, but once I did I was so glad I made the switch.