Drolet Heat Commander II Wood-Burning Furnace (DF02003)

An EPA 2020 Certified Central Warm-Air Wood Furnace with Dual Fire Two-Stage Electronic Combustion Control

The Drolet Heat Commander II is a central warm-air wood furnace for 1,000–2,500 ft², with a 3.6 ft³ firebox, 21" logs, up to 10 hours of burn time, and thermostat-driven combustion control.

Key Features

• Central warm-air wood furnace designed to distribute heat through a properly engineered duct system
• 1,000–2,500 ft² heating area with a 3.6 ft³ firebox and up to 10 hours of burn time
• Maximum input capacity of 310,000 BTU on dry cordwood, with a separately published nominal heat output of 75,000 BTU at a 15 lb/ft³ fuel-loading density
• Overall heat output rate of 21,742–62,107 BTU/h and delivered heat output rate of 19,851–64,073 BTU/h
• Average overall efficiency of 78% (HHV) and average delivered efficiency of 77% (HHV)
• EPA 2020 approved at 0.09 lb/mmBTU (0.039 g/MJ) average particulate emissions
• Dual Fire two-stage electronic combustion control synchronized with a fixed wall-mounted 24 V thermostat
• Included direct-drive blower: 1/3 hp, one speed, 875 CFM at the current manual’s published test condition
• 21" maximum log length with loading over width and depth
• Stainless steel secondary-air system, refractory-brick firebox lining, and C-Cast or equivalent baffle
• Glass airwash system for a cleaner view of the flames
• Proudly made in Canada

Central-Heating System Overview

The Heat Commander II is a central warm-air wood furnace, not a freestanding room stove, fireplace insert, or zero-clearance fireplace. It heats by supplying warm air to a hot-air plenum and duct system engineered for the building, with a separate cold-air return. Overall heat output includes radiated and delivered heat, while delivered output refers to heat provided remotely through the duct system. The 310,000 BTU figure is the maximum input capacity on dry cordwood, not delivered heat output. Installation must follow the certification label and the current installation and operating manual.

Dual Fire Combustion and Thermostat Controls

The furnace uses Dual Fire two-stage electronic combustion control: automated air controls respond to thermostat demand, the furnace modulates from higher to lower combustion based on thermostatic demand, the combustion-state indicator and reload light communicate the operating condition, and the plenum RTD probe controls the distribution blower. A fixed wall-mounted 24 V thermostat is required and must be installed according to the current manual. The furnace requires regular fueling, ash management, and maintenance; it is not maintenance-free or self-cleaning.

Included Equipment

Optional air filters (published optional size 15" x 20" x 1") and the optional return-air adapter are not included. A chimney, connector pipe, ductwork, registers, building wiring, hearth protection, barometric draft control, additional combustion-air duct, and installation labor are not included.

Product Specifications

Appliance Performance

General Features and Blower

Chimney Connection

Door, Glass, and Firebox

Dimensions, Filter, Certifications, and Weight

Furnace, Plenum, and Connection Dimensions

Furnace and Plenum Dimensions

The plenum footprint, the adjustable plenum height, and the total configured furnace height are separate published dimensions; verify ceiling height and layout against the current manual before installation.

Authorized Installation Configurations

Canada and United States - Standalone

The authorized standard configuration uses the Heat Commander II as the only appliance connected to its hot-air distribution system and its air-return system.

United States Only - Parallel Add-On

The current manual permits a parallel add-on configuration in the United States only when all manual requirements are satisfied, including: the wood furnace and the existing gas, oil, or electric furnace remain parallel; each furnace has its own air-return duct system; the existing furnace’s input is equal to or greater than the wood furnace’s applicable rating; the greater applicable appliance and duct clearances govern; the wood furnace’s static pressure is adjusted to 0.20 in. W.C. (50 Pa); and the controls are properly interlocked so both appliances do not operate at maximum rate simultaneously.

Prohibited Configurations

DF02003 is not approved for installation in series with another furnace; the hot-air outlet of one furnace must never feed the return-air side of the other. The furnace is not approved for mobile-home installation, not approved for alcove installation, and not approved to share a chimney flue with another appliance. Air ducts serving a garage must remain isolated as required by the manual. Installation must follow the certification label and the current manual.

Hot-Air Distribution and Return-Air Requirements

The installer is responsible for system design and performance: duct quantity, length, size, balancing, insulation, and return-air capacity depend on the building, and duct sizing and configuration must follow the complete current manual. The total cold-air return volume should be at least equal to or slightly greater than the hot-air distribution volume, and rigid ductwork is favored by the manual because it is less restrictive. The furnace is not a plug-and-play room heater, and not every duct system, chimney, electrical service, or return-air layout is compatible without evaluation. The optional return-air adapter is a room-air return accessory that may improve circulation - it is not an outside-air intake, and return air and combustion air remain separate systems. The optional air-filter system is recommended by the manual to reduce dust circulation and protect the blower; neither the adapter nor the filters are included.

Chimney, Connector, Combustion-Air, and Electrical Requirements

A 6" listed solid-fuel chimney (CAN/ULC S629 or UL 103 HT) is strongly recommended; a 7" chimney may be permitted only when proper venting is verified and authorized by a qualified installer. The furnace must not share a chimney flue with another appliance, no manual flue damper may be installed, connector joints must be secured according to the current manual, chimney and connector systems must follow their manufacturers’ instructions and applicable requirements, and draft must be measured and calibrated according to the current manual. No chimney or connector system is included.

The electrical supply is 120 V on a recommended dedicated 15 A circuit, with a minimum wire temperature rating of 167°F (75°C). The thermostat is a fixed wall-mounted 24 V unit wired with 18 AWG two-conductor wire. The furnace arrives factory assembled electrically and normally connects through its power cord; installation and verification must be completed by a qualified person, electrical work must comply with applicable codes, and the plenum RTD probe must be positioned and connected according to the current manual.

Clearances with Single-Wall Connector

The information on the certification label affixed to the appliance always overrides information published in any other media. The current July 17, 2026 manual and its diagrams govern; ducts require a 1" clearance to combustible materials per the current manual.

Clearances with Double-Wall Connector

Cold-Air Return Clearance

Floor Protection

Floor protection must be steel with a minimum thickness of 0.015" or sealed ceramic tile; no protector is required over an approved noncombustible floor. Note 1: rear protection is limited to the furnace’s required rear clearance when that clearance is smaller. Note 2: the protection applies beneath the horizontal connector and extends at least 2" beyond each side. Follow the current manual diagram, material requirements, certification label, and applicable local requirements.

About the Manufacturer

Who Is Drolet?

Drolet is a Canadian hearth and central-heating brand with roots dating back to 1875, manufactured by Stove Builder International (SBI) in Québec, Canada. Its wood furnaces are developed for North American homes and tested to the applicable CAN/USA standards.

Certification Focus

Drolet central-heating appliances are tested by accredited laboratories, and the Heat Commander II is EPA 2020 approved with published emission, efficiency, and output data.

Support

The manufacturer supports owners through warranty registration, replacement-parts resources, and technical-support services.