Wood-fired Central Heat
(Page 5 of 7)
February/March 2003
By Greg Pahl
Be sure to read the warranty on the furnace or boller carefully, especially the fine print. Almost all warranties have a long list of exclusions. Read the exclusion list thoroughly. A solid 20-year warranty is going to be of greater value in the long run than a very limited three- or five-year warranty. Regardless of its duration, a warranty is worthless if the manufacturer goes out of business shortly after you buy your heater.
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Matching your wood-fired central heating unit to the heating needs of your home is extremely important. As with woodstoves, bigger is not always better when it comes to central-heating units. A furnace or boiler that is too big just ends up spending most of its time smoldering and creating creosote and high emissions, the same as an oversized woodstove. This is not good for your furnace or boiler, and it's not good for the environment. Your local central heating contractor, boiler or furnace supplier (or possibly your fuel company, if it does service and installation work) can help match the right-sized unit to your particular needs.
INSTALLATION
Although the installation of a wood-fired central heating system is definitely a job for a professional (many units weigh more than 1,000 pounds and require electrical, plumbing and sheet metal expertise), there are some general factors to keep in mind during the early planning stages. Be sure to allow plenty of room to work around your woodfired furnace or boiler and make sure you have adequate space to store your dried firewood in a handy location. Another important factor is the location of your chimney. Chimneys located on an outside wall for their entire run can be problematic for a wood-fired central heater because of the increased potential for creosote formation. Outside chimneys are popular with many architects because they look attractive, but most wood-fired appliance dealers and installers hate them. A centrally located chimney protected by the envelope of your home is the best design.
Regardless of the fuel they burn, central heating systems generally use electronic thermostats, pumps or blowers, and other controls that will need a reliable source of electricity. If your power goes down, you have a problem. The least expensive approach is to have a backup generator, or you can install a woodstove in a central area.
Adapted from Greg Pahl's forthcoming book, Home Heating Basics: A Guide to Renewable Home Heating.
Indoor Boilers and Furnaces
Outdoor Boilers and Furnaces
ALPHA AMERICAN
10 Industrial Blvd.
Palisade, MN 56469
(800) 358-0060
www.yukon-eagle.com
Heat Delivery: Air
Type: Combination
Warranty(yrs): 20
Base Price: $ 3,583
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