Forced air outside furnace or wood boiler?

[Dad03]

last year we moved into a ranch style with about 4000 sf when we are done remodeling. Firewood is in no short supply on this property. Been thinking of putting it to good use for alternate heating options with either an outside forced air or wood boiler with the heat exchanger in the existing HVAC plenum. Forced air is about 1/2 the cost of a boiler but the boiler has advantages over the less mess of install and where it can be located (Farther from the house). Either one I figure to recoup costs in less than 10 years.
Plus it offers a heat source in the event of a power outage with the help from a small gas generator, solar, or wind source.

Anyone with experiences using these? any recommendations on which unit to look at or stay away from is appreciated too.

[Mark A]

I really want to build our house with an outdoor boiler. We will be building in 2-3 years so I have plenty of time to start gathering firewood.

 

I would like to do in-floor heating if I can afford it. I'm also curious about using it for domestic hot water. I haven't had a lot of time yet to do much research so I'm not sure if I can use the boiler during the summer months with a lot less wood or if I would have a hybrid system that uses propane for hot water in the summer and the boiler during the winter when it is fired up.

 

I have a feeling that the payback is going to be pretty long. I do like the lower electricity requirement during power outages. But, I have the same advantage with propane...

 

I will be curious to see if anyone has any direct experience with this.

 

Mark

[UncleJak]

Not sure what it is called, but one of my family has a wood burning stove-like thing that ties in with the central hvac. It uses the fan to help blow heat through the vents. The smoke vents outside (the unit is in the basement). It works really well and they never have to run the actual heat when a fire is going. In fact if too much wood is placed in it will run you outside; or have you raising the windows in the dead of winter. Even if the power goes out, the heat still works. It just doesnt "blow" out the vents.

Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[Dad03]

Update to this thread. I went with an Earthwood outdoor boiler. Arrived last Saturday and we finished up the install today. I turned off the HVAC heater and just left the fan on to blow across the exchanger. House is already 79 and I had to turn the fan off it was getting to hot inside.
The unit itself is nice huge fire door to load full logs.

Bring on some cold weather!

[Raoul]

The outdoor boilers are the most efficient. I know of 3 or 4 of this type unit locally.

[Mark A]

Hmm... I have a couple of trees down that need to be cut up and hope to knock a bunch more down this weekend. I might have to bribe you with some wood to come see your installation.

[Dad03]

I am in Culleoka but your welcome to come see it. I pm'ed you my number. Your welcome to bring any wood you want. If you need to get rid of some I can bring the trailer and load up.

[Mark A]

Not took far from our farm...

Let me get some trees down then I will give you a shout.

Mark