Why Biomass Heating is the Renewable Way to Heat Your Home

It’s no doubt you’ve heard of the many benefits of renewable energy. Renewables like biomass heating have continued to grow in popularity in recent years for both its friendliness to the environment and to the wallet. In fact, did you know that a biomass boiler installed in a home could potentially save up to 40% on standard oil and/or gas bills every year? It is certainly tantalizing for area homeowners and its renewable status makes it one of the best ways to heat a home. Still not convinced or don’t know enough about it? As experts in biomass heating for Duluth and the surrounding areas, we would like to discuss what we think makes wood boilers one of the best, renewable ways to heat the home.

First, let’s define biomass energy. Biomass energy is essentially created from any organic material that is available on a renewable basis. Biomass boilers often use wood chips and pellets as suitable fuel. These organic materials are renewable, with growth capable of new resources time and time again, and the ashes from production can even be used as fertilizer.

So, why do people love it? Biomass heating is 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 biomass heating you won’t have to worry about the high cost of wintertime heating again!

The cost of creating biomass is also much less than non-sustainable energy sources, and is better value than most renewable energy options as well. Because of this, positive trends towards renewables are just beginning and the potential for biomass heating to be used on an even larger scale continues to grow. Looking to the future, there is nothing to suggest biomass heating will not be the renewable of our future.

When you’re looking for straightforward, affordable heat; choosing a wood boiler as a heating source is a no-brainer. So, let’s get started! At Strawbale Farms, we are well-versed in helping a wide variety of customers from home owners to farmers, commercial and industrial businesses and more essential to Minnesota.

Still have questions about biomass heating? To learn more about biomass heating for your Duluth area 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 wood boiler for your needs.

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.

Getting an Outdoor Boiler for your Rural Home

Are you trying to find a more efficient way to heat your Wisconsin homestead? An outdoor boiler provides more affordable heating in addition to many environmental benefits. Outdoor boilers have been around for years but were pushed to the wayside due to the low cost of fossil fuels and electricity. Today, however, this is no longer the case. As electric, gas and oil prices rise, outdoor boilers are making a comeback. Many homeowners who have the room to support an outdoor boiler are choosing it as a far more efficient heat source.

At Strawbale Farms, we sell outdoor boilers in Eau Claire and surrounding areas, and we’d like to discuss how they might be a great fit for your residence.

With outdoor boilers, you can heat your home and heat water for baths, showers, laundry and more. All the while, you are using an efficient and renewable resource. You can also help the environment while heating your home with outdoor boilers.

With outdoor boilers, you use wood for heat, which means you are no longer dependent on oil, propane, electric or gas companies. Wood is an environmentally friendly fuel source. Unlike fossil fuels, wood is a renewable resource that is abundant in North America and in the outskirts of Wisconsin.

Modern outdoor furnaces have come a long way, taking advantage of the latest developments in technology. They are set up outside your home and are made to burn cleanly and efficiently. They use water and heat exchangers to transfer the heat to your home, shed or other part of your property.

You probably already have an old heating system installed in your home. In most cases, outdoor boilers can be connected to your existing system to distribute the heat. Outdoor furnaces can also be hooked up to radiant floor heating systems, swimming pools or about anything else you can think of that needs heated.

As their name implies, outdoor boilers are kept outside. This means it will not take up any of your living space, and the wood and mess also stays outside. In addition, there is less concern for fire and smoke hazards when the boiler is away from the house.

At Strawbale Farms, we sell Portage & Main boilers, which are known as the most efficient wood boilers in the industry. They use less wood while still providing the heat you need.

If you would like to learn more about outdoor boilers in Eau Claire, give us a call at 715-214-6683 or contact us. We would love to visit with you and help you find the right outdoor boiler to meet your needs.

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.