Central Boiler burn time difference?

[cls8402]

We installed a brand new central boiler this year. We keep the house set at 68-70, and on a full load a wood that stove can stay hot for 12-24 hours depending on the temps. (been getting some -30 nights, brr!) .

Now, 1 mile down the road my in-laws just installed the exact same stove and can only get 6 hours out of a full load of the same wood.

Here's my question: They change the thermostat in the house constantly! When they go to work they turn it way down to 50 degrees. When they come home, they crank it up to 80 until they're warm, and then it goes back down to 70...... I think that these drastic temperature changes are what is causing them to go through so much wood. The water cools down to 50, but as soon as it's got to increase 30 degrees it probably has to burn like crazy, thus using more wood. That's my theory, what do you guys think? Am I way off?

They also seem to have some crappy old lines running to the house- all winter long the ground above the line is thawed down to dirt! You can't even tell where our lines are....

Any suggestions on how to make their stove last longer??

 

[Fred61]

You have the question and answer in the same post. Start by installing new lines and don't skimp on quality.
Also be sure to lay them below the frost line.

 

[tomc585]

and inform them that setting the thermostat to 80 wont get it to 70 from 50 any faster then just setting it to 70 which may be using more fuel when they forget to turn it back down.

 

[heaterman]

The difference is in a couple areas outside the stove. It's just a hunk of metal that transfers heat from the wood to the water. Few variables there.

Those outside influences could be:
Number 1 difference in the structures. Higher heat loss in theirs.
Number 2 the quality/seasoning of the wood being burned.
Number 3 extraneous heat losses in the system such as underground lines, cold basement, duct system etc.

 

[ihookem]

I know I burn more wood when I used my forced air system with the wood boiler cause I was turning it up when I got home. Before I got home it would idle all day. Now I keep the water temp at 160-170. and burn less wood, keeps the house at a steadier temperature. Tell them to keep it at 65 when they are gone. Then when they get home they wont be half frozen sitting in the house. No doubt they are loosing 10-20,000 btus per hr with the bad insulated pex in the ground.