Installing a Wood Boiler
March 14, 2008
by Chuck Wooster
As we worked on editing the Outdoor Wood Boiler article in the current issue of the magazine, I began to think seriously about installing such a unit on our farm. We live in the midst of 90 acres of mixed hardwoods, and the prospect of meeting all of our heating needs (both heat and domestic hot water) exclusively using our own wood has lots of appeal, both financial and environmental.
As the article discussed, there are outdoor wood boilers out there that are highly efficient and burn far cleaner than the typical models you see belching away in side yards across the region. But I still had a bunch of questions:
I’m pleased to say that I found the answers to these questions, and many more that I didn’t (yet) know I had, at a very helpful online site: http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums.
The forums are non-commercial. The one that struck me as most useful is called “The Boiler Room.” A bunch of homeowners running a bunch of different wood boilers maintain a dialog on everything from how often to stoke the boiler to how best to dry firewood to how to plumb the system for maximum efficiency.
If our recent article has piqued your interest and inspired you to consider installing a boiler of your own, I’d recommend you swing by the “boiler room” for more details. One caveat: set aside a chunk of time. Even if you’re not a geek, it’s an interesting site.
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© 2008 by the author; this article may not be copied or reproduced without the author's consent.
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Discussion
Hi Harry,
Have you checked out the “Boiler Room” forum at Hearth.com? Just a quick search on their site and I found a discussion about using an EKO 40 or 60 Integrated with Existing System. You might find it a useful place to start. Good Luck!
Courtney Mahaney
Jul 21, 2008, Northern Woodlands, Corinth, VT
Stay Away from Shaver Outdoor Boilers
These morons have been jerking me around on my order since July 2008, after paying a $1,500 deposit. The boiler was supposed to be delivered in September 2008, here we are approaching December 2008 and no boiler. Their customer service is non-existent. Ben is available to take your order & deposit, but try to get someone on the phone or by e-mail after that. Mission impossible!
I canceled my order with Shaver and went with a Natures Comfort 250. Natures Comfort distribution network to dealers is great, response time at the factory or the dealer was immediate. You can talk to a real person! Shaver Wood boilers - never ever again!!!!!!
R. Leyshion, Jr.
Nov 18, 2008, Nokesville, VA.
I’m looking for tips how to install a wood boiler (EKO 40) into my existing oil boiler heating system with 4 heating zones and using the oil boiler as an back up which will automatically jump on if the wood boiler fire goes out. I was hoping to use my existing thermostat and pump system form the oil boiler.
Harry
Jul 19, 2008, boston, MA