The Benefits and Drawbacks of an Outdoor Furnace
Benefits of an outdoor furnace:
An outdoor furnace, or wood stove, can burn many types of materials and combinations of materials. You no longer need to rely solely on gas or electricity for your heat. If you have a large wooded property you may have all the fuel you need for free.
There is no propane or natural gas to cause an explosion. You do not need to worry about gas leaks in your home. An outdoor furnace is much less likely to cause a fire in your home as even if it somehow malfunctions, it is set at a distance away.
An outdoor furnace that uses circulating water to heat your home can also be used to provide your domestic water heating needs. You are not using the water in the pipes for drinking purposes but for heating the water in your tank. You can also use the circulating hot water to heat a pool or spa. Radiant floor heating systems can be installed and it is even possible to run piping under a driveway or sidewalk for snow and ice removal.
Outdoor wood furnaces are considered to provide a hotter heat than gas or electric and provide a comfortable environment more quickly.
Drawbacks to an outdoor furnace:
You will be doing some digging. Unless you use a forced air furnace located close to your home underground piping is required. This piping needs to be set at a depth of 18 to 24 inches. An outdoor furnace located 300 feet from your home will require 600 feet of piping. These pipes also need to be insulated against freezing and to prevent heat loss.
Outdoor furnaces can be unsightly. While you should have many choices in color, they still will look like a storage shed or out building. If you are not located on a large property you need to remember that they will take up space.
Even when using an outdoor furnace a back up heating system is usually recommended. This may not always be the case but it is something you should check before making your decision and purchase.
You are the fuel provider. Most outdoor furnaces will need to be loaded twice a day. Depending on the distance the furnace is located from your home, and the average temperatures and snowfall in your area, this can be a significant inconvenience. Consider how you may feel if you have to wade through two feet of snow at 5 am to load your furnace.
References:
http://www.alternative-heating.com/outdoor-wood-furnace.html
http://www.outdoorwoodfurnaces.org/dosdonts.php
http://www.centralboiler.com/applications.php
Published by b l baird - Featured Contributor in Automotive
I spent many years in the electro-mechanical trades. I also worked as an electrician and did other forms of construction related work. I enjoy home repair projects and learning about how to do them. That, wi... View profile
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