Test Your IQ - Outdoor Wood Boiler Style
An outdoor wood boiler (OWB) is a type of furnace, stove, or boiler that heats water by burning wood. The warm water is delivered to the heated buildings through insulated underground pipes known as insulated pex pipes. The insulated underground pipe enters your home and, through the use of a heat exchanger.
Outdoor wood burning boilers are actually fairly uncomplicated. They are easy to set up and require little maintenance. Even though your outdoor wood stove comes with an owner's manual, it may take some time to figure out how to run it.
You should also check that the water jacket is fully loaded on a regular basis. Remember that if your water jacket isn't full enough, you won't have enough heat! Further furnace maintenance includes the replacement of defective or broken parts.
Do you know the answers to these questions?
1. Do you know the MOST important summer prep steps?
- Just follow the Summer Shutdown Checklist.
Complete this checklist even if you want to keep your outdoor wood boiler going all summer. Keep in mind that if you use your outdoor wood burner throughout the summer, you'll need to take extra steps to keep your boiler safe.
2. What are the biggest risks for Summer damage to your outdoor boiler?
- Great corrosion happens during summer! Never leave your boiler system completely full of properly treated water. Make sure to treat your water with our Liquid Armor for your boiler water treatment and submit your water sample to the Outdoor Boiler Lab.
For further instructions and more information click HERE.
- NEVER leave ash in your boiler during the summer. Remove ALL ash, and scrape the firebox completely clean.
More information on Ash Removal can be found HERE.
3. How do you keep your boiler updated with the most critical replacement parts?
- Replace filter O-Rings every two years. (Click HERE for our product)
- Use a chimney extension for longer boiler life. (Click HERE for available insulated chimney extensions.)
- Replace the filter cartridge every 4 years. (Click HERE for filter cartridge replacement.)
- Completely flush boiler every 4 years. (Click HERE for more info on COMPLETE flush)
- Replace the door seal every 2-3 years. (Click HERE for our product)
Some Frequently Asked Questions are as follows:
*Why should I use seasoned wood?
The better seasoned the wood is, the less moisture it contains. The higher the moisture content the lower the amount of BTU available for heat. If this happens you'll need more wood, have to fill the furnace more regularly, and clean it more frequently.
*Do I have to worry about my outdoor wood furnace system freezing?
No. With 180-degree water, the system will never freeze as long as the outdoor furnace is running and the pump is working. Even without wood, the furnace will absorb some heat from the indoor loop further preventing freezing.
*Can I leave my furnace over the weekend?
You may have someone "feed" your furnace for you or you may lower the thermostat temperature
*Do I have to drain my furnace if I'm away for a long time?
No, as long as you have filled the furnace, added the proper amount of water treatment & keep the pump circulating the water.
Even if the majority of people don't have problems operating their furnaces or are more knowledgeable about outdoor wood furnaces than others, there are still a few things that outdoor boiler owners may overlook. Specifics vary depending on the brand and feature, but there are some fundamental standards.
For more outdoor wood boiler parts visit Outdoorboiler.com!
