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1

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: New to OWF

« on: March 01, 2013, 01:38:15 PM »

As a follow up, I would imagine I would have to account for losses so 25 million would most likely not be enough for the month.  I am new to all this so experience is much appreciated.   

2

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: New to OWF

« on: March 01, 2013, 01:30:52 PM »

Willie, my energy bill states I used 278 ccf last month. This would include both furnaces, clothes dryer, DHW and gas range.  1 ccf=103,000 btu.  If I assume 90% of my usage was for furnaces and DHW, that would be 25,770,600 btu's to heat my home and DHW in the coldest month of the year here.  If I had a mix of Oak/Maple dry wood, my understanding is I would have about 25 million btu/cord.  All that being said, if my math is right, it seems I would need about 1 cord per month, most likely more as I would probably turn up the thermostat about 2 degrees and keep the garage around 50*F.  Can anyone tell me what a cord of hardwood bucked not split goes for in SE Michigan?  My total natural gas bill last month was $227.  I know I see face cords going for ~$65 split.

3

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Empyre 250 Install "Complete". Picture Heavy!!

« on: March 01, 2013, 01:06:25 PM »

As someone who is considering making the switch to an owf, I have a question.  Can someonle please explain how the plate exchanger is working for the DHW.  By the plumbing I see, it would seem that domestic water runs through the water to water heat exchanger to be heated and placed in the DHW tank.  If you were gone all day at work lets say, and not using hot water, wouldn't the water in the tank be luke warm? Do you add some sort of circulating pump?  If someone has an example I would love to see a pic.  Thank you.

4

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / New to OWF

« on: February 20, 2013, 02:32:18 PM »

Hello everyone, I just registed, what a wonderful forum.  I am in the decision phase as to whether or not I want to get an OWF.  My house is 3500 sq ft, not including the full unfinished basement.  I also have a 3.5 car attached garage that has a bonus room above it that I may finish this year for a rec room.  I think this room is an additional 700 sq ft. My home is well insulated and has good windows and doors.  I live in Southeast Michigan and the energy bill I received today was $225 for gas and $150 for electricity for Jan 18-Feb 18, so not that terrible.  I was thinking of the following, can you please tell me if this makes any sense.  I would like to put the outdoor furnace about 40 ft from the house and run the feed and return line to the basement.  From that point I thought of making a manifold with the following loops 1. Water to air exchanger in basement furnace which feeds main level of house 2. Water to water exchanger for domestic hot water 3. Water to air exchanger for furnace in attic that heats upstairs bedrooms 4. Water to air exchanger with fan behind it mounted to garage ceiling.  Is it possible to run these four loops off a manifold fed by a single loop from the boiler? If so, what size pex for feed and what size for each loop?  I would only keep the garage at maybe 50*F unless I was out there working.  I generally don't hear the upstairs bedrooms during the day as everyone is gone.  My current water heater is a powervent 75 gallon unit.  Just trying to figure out how to design the plumbing but also how to size the OWF.  I was thinking of the Heatmor 20css.  They advertise 5000 sq ft, not sure if that is enough stove or not.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you in advance

Jason