How Does A Wood Furnace Outside Operate?

An outdoor wood furnace is a cost-effective and energy-efficient home heating mechanism that uses firewood to boil water, which runs in pipes to the desired areas. These furnaces, also known as outdoor biomass boilers, are installed outside your home, typically in a shed or a shed. They work by burning wood in a firebox to heat water, which is then circulated through insulated pipes into your home. This hot water is used to heat your home through a radiant baseboard.

A WoodMaster outdoor furnace is compatible with most existing and new heating systems, including forced air, hydronic heat, radiant baseboard, existing water-to-water, and in-floor. The furnace works by breaking down wood into syngas, a hydrogen, and carbon-rich gas, which is then burned to heat water. The heated water is sent to the “water jacket”, a chamber of water surrounded by a water jacket. As the fire burns, air from outside the boiler is blown downward into the fuel, creating a mixture of hot air and wood gases.

The outdoor furnace is designed to work with any existing heating system, including water-to-air or water-to-water heat exchangers or direct circulation. The chimney drops down in the firebox, trapping in the heat and gases to maximize heat transfer and ensure you’re not heating the outside air.

In summary, an outdoor wood furnace is a cost-effective and energy-efficient home heating mechanism that uses firewood to boil water. It operates by heating water through insulated pipes and is compatible with most existing and new heating systems.

How efficient is an outdoor wood furnace?

Outdoor wood boilers can vary significantly in efficiency, with models that meet or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase II emission standards being more efficient than standard stoves. Wood gasification technology can burn as much as 50 less wood than traditional outdoor wood boilers. Generally, outdoor wood boilers range from 90 to 40 efficient, with energy transferred into the water jacket for circulation to the heating system.

The quality of wood used affects the amount of wood burned. There are three classes of wood: heavy woods (like oak, ash, or hickory), medium woods (elm, maple, or sicamore), and light woods (box elder, aspen, or willow). Heavy woods typically run around 16 million BTUs per dry cord, while medium woods run closer to 12 million BTUs per dry cord. Light woods can run as low as 9 million BTUs per dry cord.

Meanwhile, moisture content affects the available heating BTUs in wood. Burning very wet wood can result in up to 40 BTUs going to drying off the moisture. To increase efficiency, cut the wood an extra year ahead.

Heating load also plays a significant role in wood burning. The larger the building you are heating, the more wood you will burn. Insulation quality also plays a role, with smaller but poorly insulated homes causing higher heat draw. The cold climate in your area is also a factor. A BTU calculator can help estimate your home’s heating load.

Lastly, the quality of your insulated underground line is another factor to consider. Solid core foam filled lines are slightly more efficient than bubble wrapped options, but they are stiff and difficult to work with.

How far should an outdoor wood furnace be from the house?

When installing a furnace, consider the direction of winds during the heating season and ensure it is placed in a location where smoke won’t cause problems. Place outside boilers 30-50 feet away from buildings, ensuring they are at least 30 feet away from buildings. If closer, increase the flue height above the roof. Install a certified chimney cover to prevent rain, heat loss, spark arrestor, and smoke diffusion. Place the boilers where prevailing winds won’t bother nearby residents and keep your right to burn wood intact. Place outdoor boilers as far away from surrounding structures as possible.

What is the life expectancy of an outdoor wood furnace?

Outdoor boilers typically last no longer than 20 years due to harsh weather conditions, moisture, and ash accumulation during smoldering. Indoor and outdoor boilers filled with other than pure wood can cause more damage, such as chemically treated or ocean-soaked wood. Burning garbage also introduces unknown chemicals.

Boiler materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, and cast iron. Stainless steel is preferred for highly corrosive operations, such as outdoor wood boilers and condensing gas boilers, where oxygen is present in the water. Carbon steel and cast iron are suitable for closed loop, pressurized hot water boilers.

Indoor wood boilers are pressurized, as stainless steel has high corrosion resistance but has downsides like thermal expansion, brittleness, and reduced heat transfer. Carbon steel is thermally more stable, flexible, and conducts heat better than stainless steel, making it a preferred material for environments where corrosion is minimized.

Cast iron is rarely used in wood boilers due to the impracticality of large castings required. Overall, boiler materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, and cast iron play a crucial role in their longevity and performance.

How do I keep my wood furnace burning all night?

To maintain a consistent and prolonged warmth in a fire, it’s essential to maintain a substantial layer of hot embers and supplement the fire with small, dry wood pieces. Clear ash buildup and allow space for optimal burning are also crucial. Clearing ash from the firebox prevents airflow blockage and maintains proper combustion. Adequate space within the stove allows for air gaps, facilitating consistent heat generation and efficient burning.

Regularly check the fire’s progress, adjust logs or add wood when necessary, but avoid overloading the stove with burning wood. Prioritize safety by using heat-resistant gloves and maintaining the wood stove and chimney to prevent a chimney fire.

How high should a chimney be for an outdoor wood furnace?

It is of the utmost importance to ensure that the chimney or vent pipe of a heating appliance extends a minimum of three feet above the roof line and two feet above the roof ridge or any part of the roof within ten feet of the chimney or vent pipe during the installation process.

How often do you add wood to an outdoor wood furnace?

In the dead of winter, a furnace should be filled twice a day, possibly once a day in early and late winter. There are various types of outdoor wood and coal boilers available, including the Hypro Therm FLRH-85, FLRH-100, FLRH-185, FLRH-265, FLRH-300, FLRH-350, FLRH-400, and Hyprotherm FLRH-400. These boilers have various sizes and capacities, and they can be compared using a Furnace BTU Calculator. Additionally, top loading boilers with waterless lids are also available. These boilers are designed to provide efficient heating and cooling for various outdoor spaces.

How long do outdoor wood furnaces last?

Central Boiler outdoor furnaces can last between 15 and 30 years, but their lifespan can be significantly impacted by factors such as the quality of the unit, the installation, and the frequency of use. Neglecting or skipping inspections can significantly impact the lifespan of the furnace, which is crucial for a home’s source of heat in winter. It is essential to consider the potential for the furnace to break down in a year or two, especially if it is a significant investment. Ozark Stove and Chimney, an authorized Central Boiler dealer and installer, is the perfect team to handle all of your Central Boiler needs in the Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas area.

Can you leave a wood furnace unattended?

The recent resurgence of wood-burning stoves has resulted in a significant increase in the number of fires caused by either careless installation or misuse of the stoves. The objective of this pamphlet is to facilitate communication between generations regarding wood stove knowledge by providing fundamental information on the selection, installation, utilization, and maintenance of solid fuel heating equipment. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that a wood fire is not left unattended or burning overnight.

What is the life expectancy of a wood furnace?

Wood-burning stoves typically last 10-20 years, but they can be extended by proper care and regular maintenance. However, if you notice signs of aging, such as warping or cracking, it may be time to invest in a newer, safer model. Warping or cracking in the steel on the stove’s top and sides can significantly reduce its efficiency, making it more dangerous to use. Additionally, if dark smoke venting from the stove becomes a regular occurrence, it indicates an inefficient combustion system.

This can lead to increased dust in your house due to the high smoke and soot produced. Newer stove models are designed to produce less smoke and have a more efficient combustion system, burning more wood parts to release fewer particles and gases into the air. By addressing these signs, you can extend the lifespan of your wood-burning stove and ensure its safety and efficiency.

Can you use a wood furnace if the power goes out?

Your furnace requires electricity for several components to deliver hot air around your home. The thermostat senses a drop in temperature and sends a signal to the furnace to fire up. The igniter, an electrical device, ignites gas, replacing pilot lights, which are wasteful and dangerous. The igniter receives the thermostat’s signal and activates the gas, initiating heat production. The furnace also has an electric blower that distributes hot air through ducts, and without the blower, the furnace is nonfunctional. In summary, your furnace relies on electricity for various components to function properly.

Are outdoor wood furnaces worth the money?

Outdoor wood furnaces are an affordable and environmentally friendly way to heat your home. They offer high efficiency and use less wood, making them a cost-effective alternative to electric, oil, and gas companies. You can control your heating source by purchasing when prices are low and keeping a stockpile for the next season. Wood heat is unique and provides comfort even on frigid nights. Consumers often fear turning up their thermostat when heating with wood, as it may cost more.

However, with wood furnaces, you don’t have to worry about it, as most people prefer to turn down the thermostat. By choosing an outdoor wood furnace, you can control your heating costs, maintain a comfortable temperature, and enjoy the best heat possible.