Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane

   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #1  

lampmfg

Advertiser
Joined
Dec 27, 2011
Messages
36
Location
Tower, MN 55790
What is the impact on total wood consumption/yr. if you use a super efficient furnace like our Vapor Fire?

Here are the important numbers that need to be examined: 1 gal. #2 fuel oil = 140,000 BTUs; 1 gal. propane - 91,500 BTU's; 1 cord paper birch wood = 21 M BTU's; 1 cord red oak = 25 M BTU's.

VaporFire furnaces were tested to have an overall efficiency as high as 85%, 99.4% combustion efficiency, less than 1 gr/hr of emissions, 99% smokeless burn cycles, internal flue temperatures 285-400 degrees F., and external flue temperatures 150-250 degrees F. VaporFire furnaces have been used for over 25 years with no condensation issues whatsoever, because the flue temperatures are still high enough to support a natural draft system when installed according to our written directions.

A good estimate for oil usage for a heating season would be 500-1,000 gal., with lots of variables. We'll take a look at an average home using 750 gal. of oil for the heating season. 750 gal = 105 M BTU's. If a wood furnace was 100% overall efficient, which is not possible, it would take : 105 M BTU's /21M=5 cords of birch or 105 BTU's/25M=4.2 cords of oak.

Our VaporFire furnace at 82% average overall efficiency would be; 105 M BTU's/(21Mx82%) = 6.09 cords of birch or 105 M BTU's/(25 M x 82%) = 5.12 cords of oak.

Most manufacturers struggle to hit 60% overall efficiency, but we'll look at their results based on 60%. 105 M BTU's/(21M x 60%) = 8.33 cords of birch or 105 M BTU's/ (25M x 60%) = 7 cords of oak.

Therefore, as you can see, using our efficient VaporFire furnaces will, without a doubt, use less wood to deliver the same amount of BTU's you'd require in oil or propane for the heating season then a less efficient furnace would. The other big advantages are minimal air pollution, longer more even burns, and minimal creosote accumulation from 99% smokeless burn cycles. The safely aspect is also huge in saving homes and lives.

I'm quite sure alot of manufacturers will be very surprised to see their furnace test results when regulations come into effect in 2013-14. They're not going to believe how much air pollution and wasted wood their so called efficient furnaces have produced. Many manufacturers will have to fold or redesign their furnaces quickly. I'm thankful that I invested the time, effort and money in preliminary testing so that our company is prepared for the future. We knew the regulations were forthcoming.
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Please feel free to shoot any questions my way.
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #3  
I see your an advitiser but can the Rural Living forum be used to place ads?
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane
  • Thread Starter
#4  
They said it was fine when I signed up, because that was something I specifically requested. I don't plan on posting often just periodically when I have useful information. I'm just trying to let people know how much money they save when using the most efficient and environmentally friendly indoor wood burning furnace on the market today.
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #5  
Most people who burn wood don't much care about efficiency, they don't want to pay for oil/gas.

We'll take a look at an average home using 750 gal. of oil for the heating season. 750 gal = 105 M BTU's.

My math would look like: 750 gal = $2600.
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #6  
I think your 60% efficient figure for an oil boiler is way low unless it is an ancient unit. Mine is 10 years old and is speced for 85%. When I get it cleaned and they run the efficiency test thay always get between 83% and 86%.

Why don't you just say 6 cords times $200/cord is way cheaper than 750 gal times $3.50/ gal.
 
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   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I think your 60% efficient figure for an oil boiler is way low unless it is an ancient unit. Mine is 10 years old and is speced for 85%. When I get it cleaned and they run the efficiency test thay always get between 83% and 86%.

Why don't you just say 6 cords times $200/cord is way cheaper than 750 gal times $3.50/ gal.

I would agree and most oil burners are in the 80-90% range. This was originally posted on a wood burning forum and configured by my dad. I think he really means more the 60% for wood burning furnaces. :)
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #8  
I have visited your site and noticed that your wood furnaces use electric blowers. What happens in the event of a power outage? Do you have any solutions for those who prefer to heat without any electricity at all?

Joe
 
   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I have visited your site and noticed that your wood furnaces use electric blowers. What happens in the event of a power outage? Do you have any solutions for those who prefer to heat without any electricity at all?

Joe

We get this question quite often. You really need electricity for the computer, which is what really makes our furnaces special and able to regulate allowing for optimal efficiency. Here is how we responded to a few others.

- Do you need to take any special precautions during a power outage being the 200 just has the 8in pipe and no plenum with a heat dump ( maybe disconnect the pipe if power goes out and let it feed into basement )

When there's a power outage the control closes to pilot air and the fire slowly goes out and for more heat you'd have to open the ash pan door slightly or open the damper manually just a little bit. You take the filter out of the filter box and have gravity heat and you can remove the 8" pipe from the top of the furnace and also some people will lift the front access hood off and have radiant heat in the basement.

Will the furnace heat during power outages?

Yes, when the power stops the blower and computer both shut down. The computer closes to its pilot air opening, causing the fire to slowly die down. You should open all heat ducts, remove the air filters, and rely on gravity air flow then. The front lift off hood can also be removed easily to allow additional heat to escape from the air jacket during power outages. A back-up generator or a 24 volt ac source would be handy.
 
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   / Saving Energy - Wood Burning vs. Oil & Propane #10  
We get this question quite often. You really need electricity for the computer, which is what really makes our furnaces special and able to regulate allowing for optimal efficiency. Here is how we responded to a few others.

- Do you need to take any special precautions during a power outage being the 200 just has the 8in pipe and no plenum with a heat dump ( maybe disconnect the pipe if power goes out and let it feed into basement )

When there's a power outage the control closes to pilot air and the fire slowly goes out and for more heat you'd have to open the ash pan door slightly or open the damper manually just a little bit. You take the filter out of the filter box and have gravity heat and you can remove the 8" pipe from the top of the furnace and also some people will lift the front access hood off and have radiant heat in the basement.

Will the furnace heat during power outages?

Yes, when the power stops the blower and computer both shut down. The computer closes to its pilot air opening, causing the fire to slowly die down. You should open all heat ducts, remove the air filters, and rely on gravity air flow then. The front lift off hood can also be removed easily to allow additional heat to escape from the air jacket during power outages. A back-up generator or a 24 volt ac source would be handy.

Where do you get a 24 volt AC source with no generator? Will having 24 vac make the system operate? I would think that the fan would require 120 vac.
 

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