The Basics Of The Outdoor Hydronic Heater
A wood boiler, aka an outdoor hydronic heater, was one of the first heating systems developed back in the nation's first industrial age. Originally created to work with steam, later wood-fire systems have used only hot water for heat, and have thus reduced teh chance of a super-heated steam explosion.
The outdoor hydronic heater has over the years become quite popular, especially in the last two decades. This is because traditional furnaces (those powered by oil, gas or electricity) have suffered through severe price increases. As this has happened, those living in cold-winter environments have been forced to find something more affordable.
Let's examine how outdoor wood burning heat systems work, and in the process, look at a few of the controversies surrounding these affordable devices.
The structure and operation of the wood boiler on first glance seems to be quite simple. You simply load wood into a firebox or burner; a jacket surrounds that burner, heating up the water. This water is then distributed to the owner's home, using insulated underground pipes. The hot water is connected, inside the house, to a water-to-airexchange unit (a radiator, for instance).
If the wood boiler is outfitted correctly with a water-to-water exchange system, then it also can be used to heat the homeowner's domestic water used for bathing, cooking, washing clothes, dishwashing, etc.
The outdoor hydronic heater is a great choice for the person with easy and quick access to free or inexpensive wood, as long as he is willing to cut, store and load the wood. There are a few cautions to keep in mind, however. First, there is the possibility of being scalded by hot water, plus there are possible fire-safety issues. However, if the unit is correctly installed and maintained, this fire risk is quite low.
Also keep in mind that this kind of outdoor heater should be housed in a self-contained metal shed located a safe distance from your home. This will decrease the chance of problems associated with high-pressure hot water.
There's one other concern that some people have with these wood boilers, but it's a groundless concern. The wonder about what kind of pollution the burning of wood will create. Actually, though, this kind of furnace is known to have a lower amount of carbon output than the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or gas.
Furthermore, the fact that these are wood fired furnaces should be a plus for those concerned about the environment. After all, wood is a 100% renewable and bio-degradable resource. Few heating options harm the environment as little as the wood fired furnaces.
Now that you know both side of the issue, you can decide whether installing an outdoor hydronic heater system is the right choice for you. It's a clean-burning, efficient, environmentally-friendly heating method. There is the slight risk of injury through scalding water or fire, but these are quite small risks. Armed with this information, you should be equipped to make a decision that fits your own lifestyle and budget.
