In another post I mentioned that my existing OWF is on the way out and I am looking into a new one. I think I already made up my mind that repairing the old one is a losing proposition. So this gives me the opportunity to rework my OWB layout (concrete pad, wood shed, supply/return lines, etc.) to get me a more efficient system. I am somewhat limited to my existing location as I have two sets of PEX tubing coming to the existing boiler, as well as the electrical conduit and a propane line (although propane will be removed). I have a pad that is just a hair larger than the existing boiler, and a 16' x 8' timber-frame wood shed sitting on concrete blocks next to it.
I am considering pouring a new pad which would have both the wood shed and the boiler on it, with the front half of the boiler being inside (or underneath) the wood shed so that in bad weather, I would still be under a roof while feeding and maintaining the boiler. It would also help to have the wood shed sitting on that same pad, so that I had a hard flat surface to stand on while feeding. Right now it's just a bed of wood chips.
Also, has anyone has any success with extending OWB supply and return lines? If I could extend my lines, I could put both the pad and the boiler in a better location. My old supply lines to the house are the old green 1" PEX inside wrap insulation and a hard corrugated shell. This is the stuff that Central Boiler used to sell in 2004-ish. The run to my garage is a very flexible white PEX in a white corrugated shell, from Z-Supply in Michigan. I can easily extend the PEX, it's the insulation and shell I would be concerned with.
Looking for best advice on how you would layout your OWB system if you had the chance to do it over.