| Multi fuel outdoor furnaces have a distinct | | | | for burning wood. This is actually a multi-multi fuel |
| advantage over single fuel models. With a multi | | | | furnace with the option to burn corn or wood |
| fuel, or dual fuel furnace, you have the flexibility | | | | pellets; or fuel oil, propane or natural gas with the |
| to burn whichever fuel is cheaper at any given | | | | back up burner. |
| time. | | | | Although multi fuel capability is standard on most |
| The most common type of multi fuel furnace | | | | of the larger outdoor wood furnaces,it's an option |
| combines a traditional outdoor wood furnace with | | | | on less powerful models that will add around 25% |
| a fuel oil, propane or natural gas burner. The | | | | to the purchase price. |
| addition of a fuel burner to the wood furnace can | | | | According to one manufacturer of the wood |
| be useful in a number of ways. | | | | petroleum dual fuel outdoor furnaces, laboratory |
| It can be used to provide backup heat if you fail | | | | tests indicate efficiencies of 85% or better. |
| to refuel the furnace with wood or as the only | | | | Given the constant price volatility for all types of |
| heat source when not firing with wood. The | | | | fuel, a multi fuel outdoor furnace offers a way to |
| burner can also be run at the beginning of the | | | | hedge against gyrating fuel prices. If the cost to |
| burn cycle to preheat the secondary combustion | | | | heat your home with natural gas is less than |
| chamber which reduces start up emissions. | | | | heating with wood, switching from wood to gas is |
| A wood pellet/corn version of the multi fuel | | | | a simple matter of turning the fuel selector knob. |
| outdoor furnace is also available as a substitute | | | | |