9 Benefits of Using an Outdoor Wood Furnace

When it comes to warming your residence, various options exist, spanning from traditional furnaces to electric heating systems. Nonetheless, an increasingly favored heating solution in recent times is the outdoor wood furnace in Minnesota. At Strawbale Farms, our expertise with wood furnaces (also termed boilers) has enabled us to delineate nine key advantages of their utilization.

1. Economical Heating:

A prominent perk of outdoor wood furnaces is their cost-effectiveness. Wood heating often proves more economical than utilizing electricity, natural gas or heating oil. Wood, being renewable, can substantially diminish heating expenses, particularly if access to free or inexpensive firewood is available.

2. Energy Autonomy:

Employing an outdoor wood boiler fosters energy autonomy. Dependency on utility companies or fluctuating fuel prices diminishes, granting control over the fuel source and enabling more effective management of heating costs.

3. Eco-friendly:

Relative to fossil fuels, wood is a comparatively clean-burning energy source. When burned efficiently, wood emits fewer greenhouse gases. Additionally, the replanting of trees renders wood a renewable and sustainable resource.

4. Enhanced Efficiency:

Modern outdoor wood furnaces boast high efficiency, incorporating advanced combustion technology and insulation. This ensures a significant conversion of wood energy into home heat.

5. Versatility:

Outdoor wood boilers are versatile heating systems, capable of warming not only residences but also other structures like garages, workshops and even hot tubs or pools. Some models additionally provide hot water for domestic use.

6. Decreased Indoor Air Pollution:

By situating the combustion process outdoors, outdoor wood furnaces reduce indoor air pollution and obviate the need for an indoor chimney, potentially improving indoor air quality and fostering a healthier living environment.

7. Longevity:

Well-maintained outdoor wood boilers exhibit longevity, lasting for decades due to their robust construction and straightforward design, ensuring reliable warmth for extended periods.

8. Backup Heating:

Outdoor wood furnaces can function as excellent backup heating systems during power outages, ensuring continued home heating and a comfortable living environment.

9. Minimal Space Requirements:

Outdoor wood boilers occupy no indoor space, as they are installed externally, thereby reducing the necessity for a dedicated furnace room or basement space.

Outdoor wood furnaces present a gamut of benefits, rendering them an appealing choice for home heating. From cost savings and energy independence to environmental friendliness and versatility, they offer an efficient and sustainable means to maintain warmth and comfort throughout colder months. If contemplating a heating system upgrade, exploring the advantages of an outdoor wood furnace is indeed worthwhile.

At Strawbale Farms, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about incorporating an outdoor wood furnace in Minnesota. Give us a call today at 715-214-6683 or contact us!

Getting the Facts about an Outdoor Wood Boiler

Heat is vital to life in the world’s cold climates and finding the best form of heating for your Minnesota home is essential. After all, Minnesota is cold and can really put the pressure on your heating system. Many heating systems of today depend on oil, gas and other pricy resources. But, what has been a primary heat source for centuries? Wood of course! And saying it has evolved over time is an understatement. Outdoor wood boilers are an efficient, beneficial way to heat the home, especially in our cold, rural climate.

As experts in alternative energy we are here to answer all of your questions about choosing an outdoor wood boiler for your Minnesota or Wisconsin home.

What is an outdoor wood boiler? 

An outdoor wood boiler is a steel or a cast iron box lined with firebrick. They mostly heat by convection, meaning it heats the air surrounding it, which then moves around the home.

How common are they? 

Outdoor wood boilers are in widespread use across Minnesota specifically due to the abundance of wood here and the intense cold we experience.

Do I have to use it as my main heat source? 

Outdoor wood boilers are also used as a supplementary or back up system to a traditional boiler. Any building, commercial or residential can be heated with a versatile outdoor wood furnace system. You can also heat the water in your home, hot tubs or swimming pools. Some people use larger systems so that they can simultaneously heat workshops, barns and their home.

What brand is best? 

At Strawbale Farms, we sell Portage & Main outdoor wood boilers; one of the longest lasting and best built boilers in the industry. In addition to the outdoor wood boiler, we also sell other Portage & Main boilers, including ones that burn coal, wood chips and pellets. Each product we sell provides the needed energy for heat with the use of much less firewood or coal than conventional stoves.

Are they easy to use? 

It’s simple. Keep it burning and keep things warm. You only need to manually feed your boiler once a day or even every couple of days. And, you don’t need to rely on “the grid” for your home’s heat. It’s ideal for those looking to live off the grid and take control of their own energy. 

Are they affordable? 

Yes! Just try and heat your home with electric or oil and see what that can cost! Biomass heating and energy efficient outdoor wood boilers can completely change your winter.

If you would like more information about an outdoor wood boiler for your Minnesota home or business, call Strawbale Farms at 715-214-6683 or Contact Us today! We would love to speak with you and help you find the right product for your needs.

How to Get Your Outdoor Wood Furnace Ready for Fall

Temperatures are already dropping pretty low here in Minneapolis at night. One sure sign that winter is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start preparing the outdoor wood furnace to keep you and your family warm throughout the season.

And, as an outdoor wood furnace owner in Minneapolis, you know all too well how important it is to the warmth and well-being of your home.  That’s why Strawbale Farms would like to offer a few tricks as well as a few great benefits to owning a Portage & Main Boiler this time of year.

At the start of the heating season, the excess boiler water should be drained off before heating the boiler. It should be kept for use as "top up" water as it is already treated with boiler treatment for proper pH, Nitirites and conductivity levels. 

Also consider your wood fuel. Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Wood is a type of hydrocarbon, and common properties of hydrocarbons are; they produce steam, carbon dioxide and heat during combustion. Therefore, the dryer the wood the less moisture is created during the combustion process. Wood can/should be seasoning all spring/summer. Some wood types like oak actually require two seasons.

Build a small fire, and add wood as needed. Be sure pumps are circulating when firing the furnace. Once the furnace has reached 180 degrees, the furnace is ready to be filled to capacity.

Also remember to keep your boiler, fire chamber, heat exchanger and ash collection area clean and dry. Check and clean regularly, even if it is the off season. When cleaning your furnace, pay attention to the heat exchanger and area behind the fire chamber liners.

Outdoor wood boilers also have a thermostat control that keeps the heat at a constant level, which is sometimes difficult to achieve with an indoor woodstove or fireplace. 

Each product we sell provides the needed energy for heat with the use of much less firewood or coal than conventional stoves. While energy efficiency is one of the very best benefits to owning an outdoor wood boiler, there are many other great benefits as well!

For more information about your outdoor wood furnace in Minneapolis or for assistance firing it up this fall, just give us a call. Call Strawbale Farms today at 715-214-6683 or Contact Us today for more information.