Temperature and oxygen levels within burnout and preheat furnaces are critical. These two factors dictate equipment cost and product quality. Optimum burnout of wax requires excess oxygen at elevated temperatures. Optimum preheat requires temperature uniformity within the work zone. Operating temperatures and temperature uniformity requirements can greatly impact the initial cost and operating cost of the furnace . Excess oxygen levels consume a great deal of fuel and increase emissions. Therefore, accurate specification of temperature, temperature uniformity and oxygen level is critical to balancing initial equipment cost, product quality, and operating cost of the furnace. This paper will discuss the affect of operating temperatures and temperature uniformity as related to final product and how to monitor the process to verify consistency over time. This presentation will also discuss how these factors impact the cost of the furnace and the furnace operating cost. The paper will detail the impact of oxygen levels on product quality and furnace emissions; how these can be monitored, and their impact on equipment and operating costs. Discussions will address how oxygen levels may be adjusted, at various stages in the heating cycle, to reduce fuel usage and emissions production. Conclusion will provide the tools required to generate equipment specifications that will result in a balance between equipment cost, equipment operating cost, premium product quality and favorable environmental impact.