My wife and I are building new (2000 sqft or double that if we need to include the basement) next spring and we are trying to figure out our heating option. We have 60 acres of, mostly, maple located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We would like to take advantage of the wood boiler tax credits and lean toward gasification. We are also leaning towards radiant flooring. I can set up the basement to handle wood and keep the boiler, wood, tank, etc separate from the rest of the basement. We are also looking at having a small wood insert or stove in the family room (backup heat, ambiance). I think that about covers our situation.
Now the question is indoor or outdoor? Indoor would increase our insurance yearly premium by about $75 and in the garage, unfortunately, is out of the question. I know from reading on this site that in the past some of the new outdoor gasifaction models are still working out kinks. Has anyone had any success with their outdoor model? I know some people also have put their "indoor" units in sheds. I would definitely entertain this option to store wood and not have to stand out in a blizzard but I'm to excited about an additional outbuilding. Cost is going to come into play as well, outbuilding vs some sort of chimney, boiler room in basement, insurance cost.
I guess i'm really looking for recommendations on units that would fit our needs, either indoor units or outdoor.
Also, do most people heat their hot water with these units as well? I'm assuming this means you would have to burn year round. I would not want a heat source in my basement in the summer. Is this where electricity comes into play and how? I know I dropped a load here but any help on items would be great. I'm open to additional comments/input.
Thanks for your time!
Now the question is indoor or outdoor? Indoor would increase our insurance yearly premium by about $75 and in the garage, unfortunately, is out of the question. I know from reading on this site that in the past some of the new outdoor gasifaction models are still working out kinks. Has anyone had any success with their outdoor model? I know some people also have put their "indoor" units in sheds. I would definitely entertain this option to store wood and not have to stand out in a blizzard but I'm to excited about an additional outbuilding. Cost is going to come into play as well, outbuilding vs some sort of chimney, boiler room in basement, insurance cost.
I guess i'm really looking for recommendations on units that would fit our needs, either indoor units or outdoor.
Also, do most people heat their hot water with these units as well? I'm assuming this means you would have to burn year round. I would not want a heat source in my basement in the summer. Is this where electricity comes into play and how? I know I dropped a load here but any help on items would be great. I'm open to additional comments/input.
Thanks for your time!