Investing in an outdoor wood boiler may be an excellent option for homeowners who wish to reduce their carbon footprint. You will save money on heating bills and benefit from a reliable and efficient heating system. However, installing an outdoor wood boiler requires planning, preparation, and a basic understanding of the installation process. This article will discuss how and where to install an outdoor wood boiler.
Where To Install An Outdoor Wood Boiler
Remember the direction of the winds during the heating season while placing your furnace. Try to install the furnace in a location where smoke won’t cause you or your neighbors any problems. Keep in mind that you will need easy access to your furnace so that you can feed it.
If at all feasible, place outside boilers 30 to 50 feet away from buildings. For the minimum distances, check with your insurance provider. If you must install it closer to your buildings, you will have to increase the height of the flue above the nearby roof. Follow the 3-2-10 rule.
Install outside boilers with a certified chimney cover to stop the rain, prevent heat loss, act as a spark arrestor, and diffuse smoke.
Place the outside boiler where the prevailing winds won’t bother the nearby residents. Keep your right to burn wood intact! Place outdoor boilers as far away from surrounding structures as you can.
How To Install An Outdoor Wood Boiler
After you know where to install the outdoor wood boiler, you will need to dig a ditch for the water and electrical lines. Dig the ditch below the frost line. We recommend using a high-quality insulated pipe. You can order the insulated pipe with the electrical lines pre-installed; if not, we recommend laying the conduit in the trench and running the electrical lines (12-3 Romex) through this. It is also recommended to run 22ga. thermostat wire out to your outdoor boiler.
Once the pipes and electric lines are in place, construct a level pad that is big enough to support your furnace and has space for you to stand when loading the furnace. A minimum depth of 4 inches (10.16 cm) is necessary for concrete. You can also use 2B crushed stone as the base. Aim for a stone depth of 4 to 6 inches. If using stone, you will also need 12”x12” concrete pavers.
Plumbing
Once the boiler is set in place and leveled, you will need to connect the water lines to the correct fittings on the boiler. When it comes to hooking up your house’s water lines, this can be done in numerous ways. Consult a certified plumber. Your outdoor boiler, however, can be used with nearly any type of heating system. Feel free to give us a call if you need some pointers.
One common way to heat your home is to install a heat exchanger in the furnace’s exit plenum (ventilator). One that fits your plenum ought to be available for purchase. Your air handler blower will force air through the heat exchanger and into your home.
Your outdoor boiler can also be installed with an existing heating system. Be sure to follow all local regulations. If you are not using an Alternate Heating boiler, verify you do not need a water-to-water heat exchanger.
In the breaker box, install a dedicated circuit breaker for the boiler. Connect the circuit breaker to the furnace. Use the thermostat wire to hook up the dump zone. The dump zone is critical for most outdoor boilers.
Water should be added to the furnace. Start a fire.