In many parts of the world, a wood furnace is the main system used to heat a home. They have many advantages to them and some consider them to be the most efficient of heating devices that you can use. Of course, having access to an adequate wood supply is a must with this type of heating system.
One of the main reasons for their popularity is that their source of fuel is wood, a natural and renewable product. Burning wood does not release toxic fumes into the air. It is, for all practical purposes, a green renewable resource being used in a green product.
When you start shopping for one of these units you will notice that they are broken down into three categories: the central system, multi-fuel and outdoor. Each have their own specific characteristics so you will need to decide which setup you want in order to choose the system.
A central wood furnace system is flexible in that it can be located in virtually any part of the home where you can access the duct and plenum system. This wood furnace doesn't require a large fire so it is not only economical but very efficient. It burns very hot and leaves little in the way of residue but ash.
When the fire burns, it releases heat from all sides which rises. Due to the design and shape of the furnace every wall radiates heat to magnify its intensity. This makes it a neat way to heat a basement which is where many people place their central wood-fired furnace.
Cold air from the room is pulled in and then heated air is sent out into the rest of the house by a fan(s) through the ducts. Depending upon which central wood burner you buy, you can heat several floors of a house.
And just to add to the ambience of your home, you do not necessarily need to place your central wood furnace in the basement. There are even designs that look like a fireplace with a large glass covering that allows you to see the fire as it burns. What a great touch.
A multi-fuel heating system can go either inside or outside. It is a dual system in that it uses wood and another source, such as gas or coal at the same time. For example, wood is burned as the primary source. When the wood supply runs out the thermostat monitors the temperature until it gets down to the pre-set amount. At that point, the furnace switches over to the alternate source, like gas, and begins running again. This continues until you add more wood and it switches back over. This is great in a home where the homeowners may be away for extended periods of time in the winter.
An outdoor wood burning furnace, more properly called an outdoor wood-fired boiler, heats water and sends this hot water into the home where some type of heat exchange is done either via water-to-water or water-to-air. The heat is then sent into the home via in floor radiant heating, radiant baseboards or forced air vents.
An outdoor wood furnace can also be used to furnish water for the home's hot water heater, or even a pool. And better yet, all the mess is outside. However it will require some trenching done to allow the insulated pipes carrying the hot water to the house to be laid
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