Have You Heard These Myths about Wood Boilers?

Considering an outdoor boiler for your home? It can be a great idea to ask around to find out some more information from friends and neighbors. However, it is important to know there are some myths floating around about them. That’s why, as experts in the outdoor boiler for Minnesota and the surrounding areas, we would like to dispel some of these myths.

Myth: They only heat the home.

First of all, an outdoor boiler can do more than just heat the home. They are also a great way to give you all the hot water you need, heat your pool, spa, and anything else you wanted to keep warm. 

Myth: They’re old-fashioned.

When people hear wood, their minds automatically go to ‘old fashioned.’ They think that’s the old way of doing things therefore it must be inefficient, dirty and a lot of work. However, this is not true! Wood heating has come of age. The modern outdoor boiler takes advantage of the latest developments in heating technology. Set up outside your home, and using water and heat exchangers, our incredible Portage & Main outdoor boilers burn cleanly and efficiently. In most cases, they can be connected directly to your existing system to distribute the heat.

Myth: They’re messy.

Because all of your fuel is kept outside, you won’t have the mess associated with indoor wood stoves. The unit will burn all sizes and types of wood, too. The best part is you only have to feed it once or twice a day. Load it up in the morning and evening, and the outdoor boiler will do the rest.

Myth: Chopping and burning wood is bad for the environment.

Not so! Fossil fuels are far more damaging. And, trees are a renewable resource; this is an energy source that grows virtually everywhere. Outdoor boilers are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient. On the contrary, coal, gas, and oil are fossil-based, non-renewable resources. And in the last year, costs for these commodities have soared; even electricity prices are climbing. With an outdoor boiler you won’t have to worry about the high cost of wintertime heating again! Our Portage & Main Boilers are known as the “Original Efficient One” and are the most efficient outdoor boilers in the industry. And, since these units are placed outdoors, there is less concern regarding fire and smoke hazards.

Interested in getting some more information about an outdoor 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 outdoor boiler 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.

Clean, Green Heating Machines: Outdoor Wood Boilers

At Strawbale Farms, we don’t just sell wood boilers. We are a renewable energy company. We are constantly looking for better ways to heat the home. And, we are fully familiar with the many benefits of owning an outdoor wood boiler in Wisconsin. After all, we get some pretty intense winters and heating our homes and businesses can become pretty costly. But there is a solution! Outdoor wood boilers. As propane, electric and oil prices continue to cause financial hardships for many local residents, we’ve recognized a need for something better.

At Strawbale Farms, we are focused biomass heating and energy efficiency. That’s why we sell Portage & Main outdoor wood boilers; one of the longest lasting and best built boilers in the industry. 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 benefits including:

Affordability

Wood, pellets and coal are cheap in comparison to more ‘conventional’ heating sources. Burning wood can be a clean, inexpensive and safe way to heat your home.

Safety

Since these units are placed outdoors, there is less concern regarding fire and smoke hazards. 

Heat Control

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. 

Clean and Green

With the unit outside, smoke, soot, and ash are eliminated, and dryness is reduced in the buildings. And, if you are looking to 'go green', with outdoor wood boilers, you no longer need to use fossil fuels to supply your home with heat!

Simplicity

An outdoor wood boiler is a straightforward way to heat your home or business. 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.

And, these are just a few of the great reasons to choose an outdoor wood boiler for your Wisconsin home! If you would like more information about outdoor wood furnaces for your 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.