A combustion fan makes starting a fire in the firebox easy. Otherwise, this wood furnace operates similar to a fossil fuel furnace. Courtesy Yukon Wood Furnace Company
Wood furnaces are in an entirely different league than furnaces that burn gas, propane or oil. For starters, there's definitely work involved in operating a wood furnace: cutting, splitting and stacking your fuel supply, and stoking the furnace as necessary. But wood heat advocates believe that the green-living, cost-saving benefits are worth this extra effort. Wood is a renewable resource, as long as it's harvested in a sustainable fashion. In many parts of the northern U.S., firewood is widely available and in buying this fuel, you're supporting local businesses. The requirements for using a wood furnace safely and successfully are the same as they are for wood stoves:
Does your home and lifestyle fit these standards? If so, wood furnaces might be a great way to heat your home. Dr. Energy Saver can install wood furnaces and provide more information about their benefits - schedule a home energy audit today to get started on heating your home more efficiently!
There are different types of wood furnaces available. Indoor wood furnaces are typically installed in the basement, and connected to a ductwork system just like any other type of forced-air furnace. An EPA-certified wood furnace will have a primary combustion chamber where firewood is burned; there will also be a secondary combustion chamber (sometimes called a gasification chamber) where combustion gasses are burned. Some indoor wood furnaces can be equipped to heat water, eliminating the need for a separate water heater.
Outdoor wood furnaces aren't furnaces in the truest sense because they are designed to heat water or an antifreeze solution. The heated liquid is pumped inside, where it can then be used as the heat source for a radiant heating system or a hydro-air system. Like indoor wood furnaces, the outdoor variety can also supply domestic hot water. It's important to note that outdoor wood furnaces are not permitted in some localities, because of past problems with air pollution.
Some indoor wood furnaces are modified to burn other fuels in addition to wood. So-called multi-fuel furnaces are described by the combination of fuels they can burn: wood/oil, wood/gas, etc. The advantage of a multi-fuel furnace is that you can use wood as your primary fuel, but switch to oil or gas which keep the furnace operating automatically when you're not at home or when the wood supply isn't used for some reason.
If you think a wood furnace is the right fit for you, Dr. Energy Saver provides high quality systems made to last to homeowners across the country. We support these green heating systems and the benefits they can provide both to homes and to the environment. Contact your local Dr. Energy Saver to schedule a home energy audit and install a wood furnace!
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