For all the OWB guys out there, please do not take offence at the following.
I am new to the Hearth forum. I have researched OWB's in trying to make a future decision about some day about abandoning a 32 year old bullet proof indoor WoodChuck wood furnace in favor of an OWB.
I would appreciate others clarifying any mis-understandings I might have on OWB's in general.
Here it is:
--I heard a number of $8-$10,000 OWB's only last 10 years or less.
--Other understood disadvantages: Internal corrosion issues, stress cracking of the steel, OWB consume maybe 50% more wood than an indoor EPA or
non-EPA wood furnace? This means: more wood buying, cutting, hauling, piling, loading more wood into the OWB each time.
--The good stuff: The fire danger, bugs, dust, is now outside! No more chimney fires/cleaning on the roof of your house. The wood pile is right next to
the OWB. (a big advantage, no more hauling wood into the house).
--Here is the assumption/conclusion: A hell of a lot of money for something that does not last very long, in addition to the maintenance, water testing,
installation, digging 4+ foot deep trenches for the PEX, etc.).
I have some neighbors, friends, relatives with the older super big units (HeatMor, Central Boiler). They are used to heat multiple structures: a home and steel building. Or just a large home. The big HeatMor for example can burn 1/2 a solid cord per loading. (1 solid cord per day...if the weather is extremely cold). My HeatMor acquaintence, indicated he once threw a dead deer carcase in the unit, and the next day only the teeth were left! (chuckle!)
It appears for heating large structures, the $8-10,000 (or more) cost will pay for itself compared to heating these same large structures with oil or gas.
However, for the medium size home (2000 square foot) or less, is the $8,000+ cost for a super efficient boiler worth it compared to an EPA wood stove...if the above OWB disadvantages are true?
I am new to the Hearth forum. I have researched OWB's in trying to make a future decision about some day about abandoning a 32 year old bullet proof indoor WoodChuck wood furnace in favor of an OWB.
I would appreciate others clarifying any mis-understandings I might have on OWB's in general.
Here it is:
--I heard a number of $8-$10,000 OWB's only last 10 years or less.
--Other understood disadvantages: Internal corrosion issues, stress cracking of the steel, OWB consume maybe 50% more wood than an indoor EPA or
non-EPA wood furnace? This means: more wood buying, cutting, hauling, piling, loading more wood into the OWB each time.
--The good stuff: The fire danger, bugs, dust, is now outside! No more chimney fires/cleaning on the roof of your house. The wood pile is right next to
the OWB. (a big advantage, no more hauling wood into the house).
--Here is the assumption/conclusion: A hell of a lot of money for something that does not last very long, in addition to the maintenance, water testing,
installation, digging 4+ foot deep trenches for the PEX, etc.).
I have some neighbors, friends, relatives with the older super big units (HeatMor, Central Boiler). They are used to heat multiple structures: a home and steel building. Or just a large home. The big HeatMor for example can burn 1/2 a solid cord per loading. (1 solid cord per day...if the weather is extremely cold). My HeatMor acquaintence, indicated he once threw a dead deer carcase in the unit, and the next day only the teeth were left! (chuckle!)
It appears for heating large structures, the $8-10,000 (or more) cost will pay for itself compared to heating these same large structures with oil or gas.
However, for the medium size home (2000 square foot) or less, is the $8,000+ cost for a super efficient boiler worth it compared to an EPA wood stove...if the above OWB disadvantages are true?