Sorry I haven't checked in for a while. I have some health issues, which includes 3 spine surgeries, and I've had a bit of a setback with the lumbar surgeries. Procedures are scheduled for next month, and I haven't been able to get under the house and check much of anything, but with the recent snow we've had, I can see where the snow melts over the buried lines. I can see a definite problem within 12 feet of the wood boiler. The 6 inch snowfall we've had recently hasn't even covered the ground above the line, even with temperatures in the single digits.. That tells me I have a major heat loss in that area. The stove can't keep up with heating the 1050 sq. ft. garage, and the 1680 sq. ft house at the same time. I didn't have that issue when I was heating both about 4 years ago. I'm guessing that the 6" pipe that I buried, that I run the water lines through, has water in it. I had sold my last stove several years ago, and had tried to keep the pipe covered, in case I was ever to put new lines in with a new stove. I think if the 6" pipe has water in it, it would create a heat loss/transfer that would melt the snow above it. This is just theory, and my wife mentioned when she pulled the lines through, there was a little moisture on the lines. That first 12 feet was buried about 12" deeper than the rest of the pipe, as I had to come up on the house end, to get over the footer. This is all theory, but for me, it makes sense.
Now...with my current health, and the first of February around the corner, I've decided that I can't make corrections at this time. I'll just live with the heat loss to the house, and be glad I have heat in the shop. Once good weather moves in, I'll decided what my options are to get the water out of the pipe, if that is the case. Being that close to the boiler end, I may be able to use a shop vac and suck it out. If not, I'll figure something else out.
As always.... I'm open to, and appreciate your suggestions. Thanks for the help!!