| Are you looking for an immensely cheap way to | | | | The firebox is ceramic and as the fire grows, |
| heat your home? Every year, you get that bite | | | | fresh air flows through the air intake manifold and |
| cutting into your pocket book every year when | | | | fans the flames. After the gas is heated to a |
| the mercury on the thermometer dips low. This | | | | temperature of 2,000°F, it then flows out of |
| article is really to give you some information on | | | | the firebox and down the flame path toward the |
| the indoor wood furnace and the outside wood | | | | exhaust vent. This incredibly hot air moves |
| furnace. First of all, it may sound elementary but | | | | toward the vent and its energy passes through a |
| it's useful to learn a bit about wood and some of | | | | fluid flowing through an internal heat exchanger. |
| its burning characteristics. A cord of wood stands | | | | This heat transfer fluid reaches 180°F before |
| 4 feet wide and 4 feet high and 8 feet long. In | | | | circulating to an external heat exchanger, usually |
| this measurement, there is an allowance made for | | | | mounted on the back of the furnace. The energy |
| air pockets, so you're going to get about 85 | | | | produced by the furnace is then passed to the |
| ft.³ out of a cord of wood. One pound of | | | | home heating system. This heat exchanger is |
| wood on the average produces 7500 BTU's of | | | | usually sold as an option. |
| heat, regardless of the species. | | | | To control the operation of the furnace, there are |
| One important consideration to remember is that | | | | usually dual aquastats. One controls the damper |
| dense heavy wood will deliver more heat per | | | | on the air intake manifold by monitoring the |
| cord. You'll want to take this into consideration | | | | temperature of the heat transfer fluid. When the |
| when comparing prices for different kinds of | | | | desired temperature is reached, the damper |
| wood. Each log contains moisture, and it takes | | | | closes, shutting off the flow of fresh air and thus |
| about 1,000 BTU's to evaporate the moisture | | | | extinguishing the fire. When your home cools off |
| from each pound. Dry wood produces 10 to 30% | | | | and more heat is needed, the damper opens and |
| less creosote and is more usable to heat your | | | | the furnace re-fires. Heat that is stored in the |
| home. It's a good idea to burn drier wood for an | | | | refractory walls of the firebox will support |
| indoor wood burning furnace. A good practice to | | | | automatic re-firing for up to two days. The |
| get into is to cut or buy green wood in the early | | | | second aquastat is wired to your home heating |
| spring or late winter, dry it as quickly as you can | | | | system, and will continue to run for a short period |
| by cutting it to length and stack it so the air can | | | | of time after the furnace shuts down and will |
| circulate through the pile. If you stack the wood | | | | dissipate residual heat from the fire. |
| outside, make sure you cover it from the | | | | The decision as to whether an outside wood |
| weather and hold it for 18 months, or if you can, | | | | furnace or an indoor wood furnace would be |
| indoor storage is certainly more preferable. Here is | | | | more suitable for your application will depend upon |
| a very interesting tip for you! If you fell your own | | | | your personal preference. As the name implies, |
| trees for your furnace, cut them in the spring or | | | | the outdoor wood furnace sits outdoors, much |
| summer and leave them "unlimbed" until the | | | | like a utility building and is usually 50 to 100 feet |
| leaves wither, as they will draw moisture out of | | | | away and may be safer than an indoor one. The |
| the wood. Cut the wood to the longest length | | | | outdoor furnace concept is simple, safe and |
| possible to fit in your firebox, as the longer it is, | | | | effective. The outdoor application also removes |
| the longer the fire will hold. Seasoned wood | | | | the danger of a wood- stove fire in the house. If |
| carries about 20% moisture content. | | | | you're considering a wood-fired heating system |
| One type indoor wood furnace is made by | | | | for your home, be sure to consult with the |
| several manufacturers and you may want to | | | | experts online. Also visit your local dealer and learn |
| consider goodman furnace as one of your choices. | | | | more about whether an indoor wood furnace or |
| Essentially, all you do is put unsplit logs into the | | | | an outside wood furnace would be more suitable |
| firebox and ignite them with kindling and paper. | | | | for you. Good luck! |