Outdoor Wood Boiler Lifespan

[wsp617]

We will be building a new house this year and I want to go with an outdoor wood boiler as the primary heat source. My wife is concerned as a co-worker told her "don't get one of those, they only last 5 years".

I'm looking at one of the Central Boiler E-Classic units that is a high efficiiency boiler.

What have you seen for life span on wood boilers?

 

[Skybox]

Don't purchase a outdoor wood boiler unless you're at least 1000 feet from your nearest neighbor. Multiple law suits being filed across the U.S. against OWB owners for nuisance and health issues. Not only will you be ordered to shut down and lose your investment but you'll have to hire an attorney.

Another problem is many local communities enact ordinances shutting OWBs down. Again you'll lose your investment. Lastly, some of these devices require anywhere from 10 - 20 full cords of wood per heating season. Ever cut 10 - 20 full cords of wood? Add to that the requirement to only use dry wood, you'll need to cut up to 40 full cords initially to make sure you drying one year in advance. Do a search on trouble with central boiler OWBs and you'll see the multitude of problems with these things and CB many times finds excuses not to honor the warranty. Don't believe any of this just do a google search on any of the mentioned topics.

Many states are also considering banning OWBs. All in all it's just not worth it. Purchase an indoor EPA certified wood burner instead.

 

[VA MTN MAN]

mine is a Hardy installed in 1988 and a neighbor has one installed in 1994. I have only spent a couple hundred dollars on mine , a blower fan and grates. I burn about six cords a year albiet i am in Virginia which is warmer than Wisconsin. Your wood does not have to be dry as it is a forced burn.

 

[wsp617]

Don't purchase a outdoor wood boiler unless you're at least 1000 feet from your nearest neighbor. Multiple law suits being filed across the U.S. against OWB owners for nuisance and health issues. Not only will you be ordered to shut down and lose your investment but you'll have to hire an attorney.

Another problem is many local communities enact ordinances shutting OWBs down. Again you'll lose your investment. Lastly, some of these devices require anywhere from 10 - 20 full cords of wood per heating season. Ever cut 10 - 20 full cords of wood? Add to that the requirement to only use dry wood, you'll need to cut up to 40 full cords initially to make sure you drying one year in advance. Do a search on trouble with central boiler OWBs and you'll see the multitude of problems with these things and CB many times finds excuses not to honor the warranty. Don't believe any of this just do a google search on any of the mentioned topics.

Many states are also considering banning OWBs. All in all it's just not worth it. Purchase an indoor EPA certified wood burner instead.

I have three neighbors that live on my road, all within a mile. All three have outdoor boilers.

 

[Skybox]

I have three neighbors that live on my road, all within a mile. All three have outdoor boilers.

Sounds like your mind is made up so disregard the warning I provided.

 

[dave1949]

Have you checked out the gasification-type of wood boilers? Probably more expensive up front but use less wood over the long term. They are designed for indoor use, you can include a boiler room in your house plans, or you can build a boiler + wood shed near the house. Very clean burning. Feed it inside out of the elements.

 

[dmccarty]

There is a group of houses that run outdoor burners on my drive to work. Depending on the weather they can create a huge smoke fog. Interestingly, I have not really seen this happen this winter. Down the road from this cluster of houses, a guy built an outbuilding that looks like a single car garage but it houses an outdoor wood burner. That danged thing is IMPRESSIVE. I swore I would never have an outdoor wood burner due to the smoke and other issues. This guy's burner is amazing. I check the chimney every morning when I drive by. :laughing::laughing::laughing: I would doubt most people even know there is a burner in that building. Today there was just a mere whiff of hot air/smoke from the chimney. I have only see one instance where there was any obvious smoke. Most of the time you have to look real danged close to see anything. Our wood stove at start up produces far more smoke than I have ever seen this guys stove produce. I don't know what the guy has but it does not smoke. Now he does appear to season the wood though.

I can't help with the lifespan question but there are some good outdoor burners out there.

Later,
Dan

 

[Skybox]

Read this. ( See link at end of message)This formed the basis of a law suit being filed against a neighbor. The OWB was shut down via an injunction and a civil suit subsequently filed.The report along with the air study was conducted by the Michigan Department of Community Health and DEQ. Although not advertised these suits are becoming very common and since precedence has been set most plaintiffs are not only winning the injunctions but also the product liability civil suit. There is now enough empirical evidence available showing OWBs are high polluting devices and judges have no choice but to side with the plaintiffs. Insurance companies are also taking notice. It is common knowledge among those involved with these devices that insurance companies understand what is happening in the courts and are now considering not insuring or significantly raising rates.

This is also why the EPA is in the final stages of modifying NSPS with regard to OWBs. In essence, this action validates OWBs emit levels of PM 2.5 above what is considered safe air. Product liability attorneys are chomping at the bits. Lets say you purchase an OWB and your neighbor moves out and someone new moves in and doesn't like the smoke. They file a law suit because your smoke is causing their child's asthma to act up. They claim your OWB is the cause. The attorney does his research and finds precedence on the matter. The next thing you know the court shuts you down. Now with the court victory in hand, the attorney files a civil suit claiming your OWB caused interference with the enjoyment of the plaintiffs property and permanently harmed their child. They sue for a large amount of money. Guess what, the circuit court judge ruled it was a health hazard and shut you down. Now how to you think the judge will rule in the civil suit.

Again you'll get all kinds of advice from folks who own these things and even the manufacturers hang around these forums touting the benefits of their product. The bottom-line is these folks may feel safe now but a few years down the road they may re-evaluating their position. Neighbors change and more and more law suits are being won. Why do you think so many local communities are banning them. Township attorneys do not want to be sued. If a township knows that OWBs can emit unsafe levels of pm2.5 and don't take action and someone has a heart attack from the smoke....who is liable. My advice is to not ignore what I'm trying to convey, do your own research. If you're one of those people who search the Internet until they find something they want to hear and don't objectively look at the information....then you'll be at risk. The question you need to ask is is it worth the risk.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/Ou.../OutdoorWoodBoilerInvestigation10-13-2009.pdf

 

[jefwyn]

Dear wsp617,

Please don't buy an outdoor wood boiler.

Sincerely,

Oil companies

 

[Skybox]

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public health agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The agency focuses on minimizing human health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. It works closely with other federal, state, and local agencies; tribal governments; local communities; and healthcare providers.[3] Its mission is to "Serve the public through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures."[4] ATSDR was created as an advisory, nonregulatory agency by the Superfund legislation and was formally organized in 1985.[5]