Best Outdoor Wood Furnace?

[Jennifer L.]

I've been thinking really hard about an outdoor wood furnace with the jump in oil prices. I'll be paying more than double this year what I did last year the way things are now if I continue with oil. The threads in the archives are good for the pros and cons about outdoor furnaces, but I'd like to know if there are things that you like or dislike about the one you have?

I know in this area I can get Aqua Therm, Central Boiler, and the Johnson, and maybe others.

I'm interested in one that runs clean, or clean for an outside boiler.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Jennifer

[twstanley]

We have a hardy outdoor furnace, it seems to work real nicely.

It has a thermostat controlled draft solenoid to open the air intake and a draft blower to force air in when the fire needs to be 'stoked' up and the water temp needs to rise. Very little if any smoke comes out of the stack when the draft fan isn't on, so we don't have any of the smog that others complain about.

I think the key to less smog is a good airtight system that keeps the fire smothered down when the water temp is where it needs to be. Furnaces that let a bit of air in will let it smolder and produce more smog I think.

[moonwolf]

I've had a Central Boiler for about 10 years now. The newer models are even better. The only replacement part I had to do was the solenoid for the damper which wasn't a big fix nor expensive. I wouldn't hesitate to recomment to anyone buying a Central Boiler wood furnace.

[tallpaul]

I have had a taylor which I hear they don't make anymore... I hear another part of the manufacturing group they were part of got sued over somethin or another and they quit. I like mine and this is the 3rd season with it. I'd worry about neighbors and winds. Mine can smoke ALOT if I am burning the wrong wood in it. As any other wood burner the better the wood the cleaner it is. The only thing I would think aout would be the dual use wood/propane etc so if you did not get home in time or wanted to leave for a weekend etc you would not have to make arrangements. Several of my friends have the taylor but a few have the central and like them.

[Mutti]

We have a Central Boiler and love our wood hot water heat. Clean in the house and only notice smoke on downdraft days. Know several others with CB's and they love 'em,too. Very safe and our insurance company likes them,too!!! DEE

[Carol K]

We bought a Central Boiler 2 years ago, cost about $4K+ I think It's already paid for itself as we got sick of paying out 4-500 per month on propane in the winter. Do it now and you will be ahead in a couple of years. neighbor has a heatmor he likes it but ours smokes less. In NY and other cold states it's the only way to go I think, we still use propane but as little as possible.

Carol

[NativeRose]

Thank you Jennifer L for starting this thread.

Thanks y'all for the information. Hubby and I are considering installing one here. Our propane costs are outrageous. This way we could also eliminate the electric hot water heater.

[Jennifer L.]

Thanks, everyone! It's nice to know that most everyone likes the one they have, no matter what the brand name on it. I'm concerned about the smoke because NYS either already or is going to be regulating them, which probably means setting limits on pollution on the models that can be sold here. Something else for me to look into.

My heating oil is on the budget plan and it doubled this year. Just have to do something about it and while I don't need another job of stoking a furnace every day, it's probably the best option for me.

If anyone else has comments on a brand of furnace, please comment! NativeRose and I need the help!

Jennifer

[fritzp56]

Jennifer, I just installed an AquaTherm model 275 WO, unsheltered unit 4 weeks ago. I have been using it to heat my hot water since then. When the unit has shut down there is so little smoke that at first I would go out to the garage and check it to make sure that there was still wood in the boiler. The amount of wood I have used really surprised me. One loading of wood a day, I put in 3 or 4 pieces 40" in length and approx. 7" in diameter. It will last at least 14 hours. If I add two extra pieces I can go 24 hours. Using bigger diameter wood I have gone 36 hours with more burn time remaining. Can hardly wait to see how well it does when I start heating my home.
I liked the unit so well that I got myself a dealership for the Aqua-Therm stoves. As far as the NYS requlations the Omega model with the gasification unit will meet all of Mr. Spitzers requirements for emmisions standards. Any other questions can be answered by email, florians@direcway.com.

[trappmountain]

Jennifer, You probably know the answers to theses questions and wood prices are diffferent everywhere just wanted to bring them up to help you make the decision.

Where will you get the wood?(If you get it from your own property that is the best)
You realize that wood has to dry before it will burn properly? (we cut ours this fall for use next fall)
If you buy wood it is expensive( here it went for 195 per running cord last year, it will probably be more this year as fuel costs have risen)
Will you have a fuel back up?(oil or natural gas) for when you are unable to keep the fire going, so the pipes don't freeze)


The reason I bring this up is because my husband sells firewood in the winter. People think it is going to be the cheaper way to go. If you buy it it isn't. If you have a good amount of woods on your property or your husband does alot of tree work(We have both) it is the way to go. We cut up the fallen trees in the woods and my husband takes alot of trees down over the year and we cut it up and split it. Also each area is different so you will want to check what wood will cost you in your area.

[Bruce in NE]

I just ordered a Lil' House outdoor furnace from outsidewoodheater.com

They don't have the water heater feature but are priced right for my budget at $1295.