Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C vs Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2)
The Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C is the cleaner burner: 1.1 g/hr certified particulate emissions versus 1.4 g/hr. The Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2) is the more efficient unit: 80% versus 77% HHV — more heat from every cord. The Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2) produces more peak heat (38,594 vs 37,102 BTU/h), suiting roughly 1,100–1,550 sq ft. The Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C has the larger firebox (2 vs 1.4 cu ft), which generally means longer burns between reloads. Combustion technology differs: the Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C is a catalytic stove and the Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2) a hybrid — see the catalytic vs non-catalytic guide for what that means day to day.
| Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C | Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance type | wood-stove | wood-stove |
| Combustion technology | Catalytic Stove | Hybrid |
| Certified fuel | Crib Wood | Crib Wood |
| Emission rate | 1.1 g/hr | 1.4 g/hr |
| Efficiency (HHV) | 77 % | 80 % |
| Heat output (low) | 12879 BTU/h | 12252 BTU/h |
| Heat output (high) | 37102 BTU/h | 38594 BTU/h |
| Firebox volume | 2 cu ft | 1.4 cu ft |
| Carbon monoxide | 2.11 g/min | 1.322 g/min |
| 25C tax credit eligible (≥75% HHV) | Yes | Yes |
| 2020 NSPS compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Currently in production | Yes | Yes |
| EPA certification number | 164-18 | 306-22 |
| Covered model numbers | Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C | Answer NexGen Hybrid |
Frequently asked questions
Which burns cleaner, the Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C or the Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2)?
The Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C: 1.1 g/hr certified particulate emissions versus 1.4 g/hr for the Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2).
Are the Hearth and Home Technologies Vermont Castings Encore 2040-CAT-C and Travis Industries Answer NexGen Hybrid (2) both EPA certified?
Yes — both appear on the U.S. EPA's current list of certified wood heaters, and every figure on this page comes from their certification records.