Need an auxiliary heating system

[Bluetick]

I'd like to set up a heating system that is fueled by wood. The idea would be to reduce the amount of oil I burn in a winter. I was thinking of putting a wood burning furnace in that can tie into my radiant heating. The main furnace would only kick in when needed. Any ideas?

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

You'd need a wood boiler.

 

[Bluetick]

Yes, a wood boiler. What are my options there? I'm not using it to replace the oil boiler; just reduce my dependence on it. I live in NH so it gets fairly cold in the winter but wood is plentiful here. Also, I'm wondering how difficult it is to install a wood boiler, and how expensive. I'd like to keep it inside.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

Ballpark, about 10-12k, at least AK prices. No idea on the Lesser 48.

 

[olyman]

Yes, a wood boiler. What are my options there? I'm not using it to replace the oil boiler; just reduce my dependence on it. I live in NH so it gets fairly cold in the winter but wood is plentiful here. Also, I'm wondering how difficult it is to install a wood boiler, and how expensive. I'd like to keep it inside.

the only inside part, will be inside the shed that is built around it when you buy it.....and if not done right,,youll be burning mucho wood

 

[cantoo]

There are lots of indoor boiler out there. I have an OWB but I really would prefer an indoor wood boiler in a heated shed.
You are not going to like the price unless you can find a used one. I feel that boilers are only cost effective if you have a huge heat load on them and free or very close to free log supply. If you can buy and install a wood boiler system as a 2nd heating system and actually save money over an existing oil system then you are a step up on most of us.
I was at the International plowing match this week and my son and I were looking at some of the OWBs on offer. The manufacturers are pricing themselves out of the market. In my opinion they have taken a good idea and screwed it up big time by make the units too pretty (expensive) and too complicated for the guys who use them. Let's be honest here most of us wood gathers and wood burners are about as close to hill billy hicks as you can get. We are a cheap lot who do this to "save" money when actually we likely have more money tied up in heating units, chain saws, tractors, splitters, and other toys to do wood. We don't want electronic crap that we can fix, we don't want stainless that we can't weld easily etc.

 

[stihly dan]

Why not try a wood stove first.

 

[Bluetick]

I would get a wood stove, but my wife (who frequently reminds me that she's the only reason I'm not a complete swamp yankee) doesn't like wood stoves.

 

[ArtB]

my wife .... doesn't like wood stoves

If you expect her to ever feed a boiler, good luck <G>

My wife (now 72) told me when she hit 60 YO she was too old to feed a fire, so put in a GSHP (all DIY).

So, how DIY adept are you ? An old oil tank, a cutting torch, some scrounged sch 40 pipe and other pits plus a CL or ebay pump, plus a welder and a few tools any self respecting DIY hs on hand -- under $100 you can have your boiler up and running in a few weekends.

Make sure your wife is involved and have her thread the pipe <G>

Of course, once you DIY your boiler, you will likely have learned enough thermodynamics building the fire tube heat exchanger to get interested in learning vapor cycle heat pump technology, decide to buy an old backhoe, and build yourself a DIY GSHP for under $500 too, eh ?

 

[ArtB]

PS: If you are interested in the DIY route, visit ecorenovator.org for ideas.
Here is a typical discussion:
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/biofuels/3033-adventures-solid-fuel-biomass-combustion.html

I did see solder copper pipe inthat guys DIY, not a good idea.
I have a boiler consisting of pipes in out 6 ft fireplace. 10 feet out of the fireplace transitioned to some copper.
Back in the 70's when preteen/teen sons were tasked with starting the fire on Saturday mornings, they threw in a big bunch of plywood scraps - resulted in superheated steam that melted the solder and blew open one joint, even with a 8 psi relief valve in the system.

 

[thefarmboy21]

Why not a couple of the "middle of the road" options? One being a wood unit that sets in your basement or garage, that plumbs into your duct work and uses less wood than a normal wood burner insert. Roughly $1500, this will likely be my next heating improvement. OR a pellet stove. My sister did away with her wood burner for insurance reasons, bought a used one and liked it so much that she bought a new pellet stove the following year.

 

[Bluetick]

I was over at Home Depot looking the Englander furnace. Heats up to 3,000 sq ft. Large firebox. Anyone have any experience with these?