Table of Contents
What Is an Outdoor Wood Furnace?
Outdoor wood furnaces are also known as wood-fired hydronic heaters. They are mainly used to provide heating facilities to the buildings.
How Much Does An Outdoor Wood Furnace Cost?
Wood boilers are an efficient way to heat up your home and cost around $6000 – $ 18000.
Here’s a breakdown of the Outdoor Wood Furnace Costs:
| Type of Boiler/ Outwood Furnaces | Average Cost | Water Capacity | Heating Capacity | Efficiency Rating |
| Crown Royal Stoves | $6,000-$12,000+ | 30-250 gallons | 2,000-5,000+ sq. ft. | 80%-85% |
| Hyprotherm Pro Series | $6,600-$18,000+ | 150-350 gallons | 2,000-6,000+ sq. ft. | 85%-90% |
Types Of Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Hyprotherm coal boilers
Hyprotherm coal boilers are a great choice for domestic heating. It offers a lifetime warranty that everyone trusts.
Installation costs, such as piping and other parts, can add up too. Don’t forget to consider additional costs like chimney caps and adaptors.
Outdoor wood furnaces may not be ideal for all households. Factors like climate and wood moisture content can limit their efficiency.
Some wood furnaces offer options to burn coal or dual fuel. This can expand their heating capabilities.
Hardwood Furnace
One cord of hardwood can produce enough heat to last an entire season with an outdoor wood furnace.
When buying an outdoor wood furnace, do your research and compare different models and prices.
Different sizes, shapes and features are designed for different heating needs. From simple square boxes to complex heat exchangers, there’s something for everyone.
These furnaces can provide enough heat for big homes larger than 3,000 square feet. Burning wood directly produces steady warmth.
Standard Wood Boilers
To help you make an informed decision while selecting a standard wood boiler, let’s discuss the key aspects to consider while buying the right one as per your needs.
Size and Square Foot Considerations
When it comes to standard wood boilers, size and square foot considerations are key. It’s essential to pick the right size that fits your space and heats your home effectively.
To make informed decisions, look at efficiency ratings, heating capacity, and fuel consumption.
| Size (BTU) | Heating Capacity (sq.ft) | Fuel Consumption |
| 100,000 | 2,500 | 2-4 cords of wood |
| 130,000 | 3,250 | 3-5 cords of wood |
| 165,000 | 4,100 | 4-6 cords of wood |
| 200,000 | 5,000 | 5-7 cords of wood |
Heat Exchanger and Water Capacity
When it comes to standard wood boilers, heat exchanger and water capacity are incredibly important.
Check out this table for details about different types of wood boilers and their respective heat exchanger and water capacities:
| Type of Wood Boiler | Heat Exchanger Capacity | Water Capacity |
| Classic Wood Boiler | 150,000 – 489,000 BTUs | 155 gallons |
| E-Classic Wood Boiler | 140,000 – 600,000 BTUs | 150 gallons |
| Maxim Outdoor Wood Pellet Boiler | 205,000 BTUs | 270 gallons |
Boiler Efficiency Ratings Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
Boiler efficiency ratings show how much heat is taken from fuel and changed to useful energy. A higher rating means better performance and cheaper costs in the long term.
Boilers using renewable fuels, such as wood, can get high efficiency ratings without giving up on money-saving.
As they work with a sustainable source of energy, they have low carbon footprints and help environmental conservation efforts..
Let’s look at some common ratings:
| Rating | Description |
| AFUE | Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency – measures yearly heat output per fuel use. |
| SEDBUK | Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK – measures overall effectiveness over a full heating season. |
| EfW | Energy from Waste – measures burning of waste products to create heat and power. |
Fuel Sources Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
Wood furnaces have become a norm for many homes. They offer an efficient and clean alternative to traditional heating. But wood isn’t the only fuel option. Coal, corn, and pellets are also used.
Each has its pros and cons.
| Fuel Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Wood | Low cost, renewable, widely available | Storage, loading, ash removal |
| Coal | High heat output, long burn | High emissions, specialized stove |
| Corn | Low cost, renewable | Limited availability |
| Pellet | Highly efficient, automated | More expensive |
Popular Brands Of Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Wood boilers are becoming popular for their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly benefits.
Heatmor, WoodMaster, and Central Boiler are some popular brands. These units require some maintenance like ash removal. But, they can be cost-effective in cold months.
The market has popular models for outdoor boilers. Central Boiler, Crown Royal stoves, Heatmor, WoodMaster and Hyprotherm are some of them.
Brands like Crown Royal, Hyprotherm, and Central Boiler offer models for different heating needs.
To get the best wood boiler, choose one that fits your heating needs and budget. Use dry wood or pellets with less than 20% moisture content to maximize efficiency and avoid over-firing.
Cleaning the heat exchange surfaces and chimney also helps prolong the life of the boiler.
A table below shows their top-selling models’ features.
| Brand | Top-selling Model | Heating Capacity | Fuel Type | Efficiency (%) |
| Crown Royal | RS7300E | 240,000 BTU/hr | Wood pellets | 87% |
| Hyprotherm | FLRH-185 | 185,000 BTU/hr | Wood logs/chips/pellets/shavings/corn/grain/coal/practically anything is combustible | 85% |
| Central Boiler | Classic Edge 750 Titanium HD Series | 240,000 BTU/hr (depending on model) | Wood logs/pellets/other biomass fuels/coal (with separate kit) | Up to 90% |
Outdoor Wood Furnace Prices
To get a clear idea of what you might have to spend on an outdoor wood furnace for your heating needs, let’s explore the section about outdoor wood furnace prices.
Average Costs Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
Outdoor wood furnace prices vary widely. Here’s a table with the average and range of prices for different types.
| Type of Furnace | Average Cost | Range of Cost |
| Non-EPA Certified | $2,500 | $1,500 – $3,200 |
| EPA-Certified | $4,000 | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| High-efficiency model | $6,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
Factors That Affect Pricing Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
When it comes to Outdoor Wood Furnace Prices, there are several factors to consider. These include the Model, Capacity, Labor and Installation.
Additionally, the material of construction (e.g. cast-iron or mild steel) is also a factor to take into account.
Cast-iron furnaces are more expensive, but they have higher durability and a longer lifespan. Consider your needs and budget before making a purchase decision.
The market has a lot of options, so it’s important to assess the details carefully before making a choice.
| Outdoor wood furnaces | $3,000-$4,000 |
| Standard wood furnaces | $4,000-$5,500 |
| Maximum-capacity wood furnaces | $5,500-$7,500 |
| Professional installation | $1,500-$3,000. |
Warranty and Lifetime Expectancy Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
Wood furnaces are a popular and sustainable way of heating homes. However, it is key to ensure their longevity through maintenance and upkeep.
Here is info about the warranty and lifetime expectancy of outdoor wood furnaces.
A table with some key info:
| Brand | Warranty | Lifetime Expectancy |
| Central Boiler | 25 years | Over 25 years |
| HeatMaster | 20 years | 15-20 years |
| Portage & Main | 10-20 years | Over 25 years |
| Crown Royal Stoves | Limited lifetime | Over 20 years |
Factors such as the type of wood used, quality of installation, and frequency of maintenance can affect these numbers.
It is important to have a three foot clearance around the furnace. Plus, certified professionals should inspect regularly to detect issues early.
To maintain the warranty and extend the lifespan, do the following:
- Clean ashes and debris from the furnace
- Use high-quality, seasoned wood
- Check pumps, fans, sensors etc.
- Invest in a good chimney cap
By following these recommendations, your outdoor wood furnace can last for many warm winters.
Before deciding, consider if you really want to rely on firewood and your partner’s ability to chop it for heat.
Pros and Cons of Owning an Outdoor Wood Furnace
Before you decide on a wood furnace, consider these pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper than gas or oil.Burns less fuel and produces more heat.Runs during power outages.Rustic appearance. | Maintenance required for ash removal.Releases air pollutants.Noisy combustion process.Inconvenient refueling. |
Maintenance and Upkeep of Outdoor Wood Furnaces
To make sure your outdoor wood furnace lasts you for years to come, you need to learn how to properly maintain and upkeep it.
Ash and Cleaning Management
When it comes to maintaining an outdoor wood furnace, there are some steps you must take:
| Track the ash buildup | Track the ash buildup and remove it regularly. A shovel or ash vacuum can help with this. Be careful not to throw away hot ash into combustible containers. |
| High-efficient vacuums | High-efficient vacuums are also an option. They have special crevice tools to make cleaning hard-to-reach areas easier. |
| Wear protective gear | Wear protective gear when cleaning, like gloves and goggles. This will ensure that your furnace remains clean and efficient. |
Parts and Repairs of Wood Furnace
To keep outdoor wood furnaces running smoothly, certain parts and repairs should be maintained regularly.
These include:
- Water treatment chemicals
- Chimney cleaning and inspection
- Firebricks replacement
- Thermostat calibration and replacement
- Air filter cleaning or replacement
These elements help to improve combustion efficiency and reduce heat loss. Water treatment chemicals stop corrosion, chimney cleaning boosts air flow, firebricks store heat for better fuel efficiency, and thermostats maintain temperature.
Added Features and Options Of Outdoor Wood Furnace
When it comes to outdoor wood furnace prices, you may want to consider additional features and options. These include a thermostat for precise temperature control, dual fuel capabilities for flexibility and hot water heating.
Thermostat
A thermostat offers accurate temperatures and allows adjustments according to preferences or season.
Dual fuel capabilities
Dual fuel capabilities allow users to switch between wood and other fuel sources, whatever is available and preferable. Hot water heating can be integrated into the system, providing hot water for household use.
Other features include self-cleaning mechanisms, automatic dampers and insulated boilers.
Furnaces are available in different sizes and styles to suit budgets and needs. For a unique twist, some companies provide customization services.
Conclusion
An outdoor wood furnace is great for your home, but it depends on a few factors. Think about the size of your home, and what options the market has. Your location and climate can determine if an outdoor furnace is cost-efficient for you, if you can get fuel like firewood easily.