Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: Radio Tech1964 on November 07, 2019, 06:51:51 PM
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How're things going for those that use plain well water for fills? The reason I am asking is originally mine was filled from a municipal water source but here all I have available is well water or creek water if I use a long hose and a pump ;D
I am not sure of the actual hardness of my well's water but unfortunately, I do know the iron content is a bit high because bathroom cleaning is almost non stop if I want to keep it spotless. I use good quality treatment and normally over-treat according to the label. I do this because of my thoughts on my water. I try to drain and flush every year but noticed I should have plumbed in previsions to backflush the system entirely but considering as that section was done after dark in 20° weather I was lucky it got what it has ;D
Just want to keep this OWB running as long as possible because I would have to freeze otherwise because the electric heat is IMPOSSIBLE.
I would get a Christmas card from AEP though as they would likely consider me an industrial customer.
Wt
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I've been using well water for the past 11 or 12 seasons with no problems.
My next door neighbor is my brother and has had his OWB for 10 years longer than I have.
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I think with the right water treatment your probably fine. I was able to fill 3 years ago with softened water, now that my water softener is broken, I buy distilled water in bulk to top up. My main worry is clogging the heat exchanger. After a week my shower is brown, I have extra hard water. My manufacturer recommends yearly flushes, I don't see the point my water looks just fine.
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Thanks for the good info! I had never used well water until moving here so I am inexperienced in it's possibilities. The treatment I use claims to meet all manufacturer specs and protects against rust, corrosion, and scale so it ought to be good. I drained the system earlier in the summer and was dry for a month or two and when flushed and refilled the flush water was clear and the water drained earlier looked good too. It was fairly rusty last year after sitting empty all summer and being transported 50 miles but fortunately, it was only rusty once.
Your water sounds a lot like mine.
Wt
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Keeping the treated water in it is better than letting it set dry. Just letting oxygen in. We fill a LOT of furnaces with well water every year. Perfectly fine, that's what the treatment is for.
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What water treatment are you using?
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Protech 300