Outdoor Wood Furnace on a budget

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ppw350z

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Sep 14, 2015
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NJ
Hello All,

Like most people I am on a budget. Right now I have the opportunity to purchase a 6 year old Free Heat 250 - Timber Ridge for $2000. The current owner states that there are no issues with the unit and it works perfectly.

After some research, I've found that these units don't have the best reputation. There is no warranty because the manufacturer has closed up shop and reopened as Biomass, which also closed, and now their most recent company is Fisher Stoves.

I'm just looking for an opinion on whether or not I should get this used unit or take my 2k and put it towards a new unit. I need to heat 4000 sq. ft. is there anyway I can buy new and be under 8k installed? Thanks in advance for your responses.
 
Heat loss on the 4k sq ft in BTU?
What is the primary heating mode? Forced air, water, electric?
How much installation can you do yourself?
 
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I didn't look into that boiler you posted about but I will tell you this, as far as a budget goes. I'm on a really thin budget myself which is why I built my boiler but now that I'm getting into the install part of the project I'm learning you can spend BIG money on the little things that you don't even think about going into it. Individual fittings and valves are cheap but, when you buy 10-20 at a time it all adds up quick.

I'm not saying your $8K budget isn't doable just do a much shopping as possible before making the commitment.
 
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arbutus said:
Heat loss on the 4k sq ft in BTU?
What is the primary heating mode? Forced air, water, electric?
How much installation can you do yourself?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how I'd find the answer to heat loss? Primary heat is forced air. Installation, I would trench myself and more than likely pay someone to hookup plumbing and electric.
 
I wouldn't take a Free Heat boiler if it was free. Or any of the ones you mentioned that replaced them later.

Well, maybe - if it was an easy haul to a scrap yard & scrap prices were worth it.

Have you thoroughly priced everything out? For example, the good undergound piping costs between $10 & $20 per foot (I think - price out 1-1/4" Logstor or Thermopex to find out). The easy part is buying the boiler - installing it is next, followed by proper planning & designing to make sure you know what else you will need to buy & get done so that it will do what you want it to do after it is installed. That might be the hardest part.

Have you considered an indoor hot air furnace?

How much wood do you feel you can you put up per year & get ready for burning?
 
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maple1 said:
I wouldn't take a Free Heat boiler if it was free. Or any of the ones you mentioned that replaced them later.

Well, maybe - if it was an easy haul to a scrap yard & scrap prices were worth it.

Have you thoroughly priced everything out? For example, the good undergound piping costs between $10 & $20 per foot (I think - price out 1-1/4" Logstor or Thermopex to find out). The easy part is buying the boiler - installing it is next, followed by proper planning & designing to make sure you know what else you will need to buy & get done so that it will do what you want it to do after it is installed. That might be the hardest part.

Have you considered an indoor hot air furnace?

How much wood do you feel you can you put up per year & get ready for burning?
Click to expand...
 
The indoor hot air furnace was not a consideration because I do not want to bring wood into the house.
 
ppw350z said:
I'm not sure how I'd find the answer to heat loss? Primary heat is forced air. Installation, I would trench myself and more than likely pay someone to hookup plumbing and electric.
Click to expand...

What size is your existing furnace? The Uponor Complete Design Assistance Manual can be downloaded as a free PDF and walks you through a simple but thorough heat loss calculation. Apply the same math to your home dimensions.
 
ppw350z said:
I'm not sure how I'd find the answer to heat loss?
Click to expand...
OK, how about what kind and size of furnace you have along with how much fuel you typically use per year?
 
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