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[naturalmom1]

Have been trying to do some research before getting a outdoor wood boiler.  I have about 3000 sq ft house.  I currently have two furnaces and a ETS heater.  The smaller furnace is upstairs and ETS heater in the vaulted living room.  Last months electric bill was little over $300 and it really has not been this cold this winter.  Will the boiler help us save money and get hotter heat?   I am tired of hearing the furnace run and rooms not really getting that warm plus thinking about throwing money away.  We do own 3 acres with lots of trees so that would work for awhile.  Just wanted to ask some questions:  Do you think we would benefit from a boiler?  There are lots of different brands.  Trying to find the best and cost is important also.  I would like to heat my hot water heater also.  I heard 1/2 firebox is what I need to get.  Is there anything else I need to look for?  i also think I would like one with an ash door.  Once the boiler is up in running does it require a lot of attention?  Is this something you have to keep going year round?  Any suggestions or info would be great!  thanks and have a blessed day

[Scott7m]

Yes you would greatly benefit.

No you do not want a half inch firebox, unless you like wasting trees due to the poor heat transfer caused by the thick steel.  It takes 25% more wood to make the same amount of heat with 1/2" vs 1/4"

There isn't much work to do to them after there set up and they take care of themselves for the most part.

You'll need to decide on a gassifier or not, gassifiers burn half the wood as a convnentional but are a bit more costly.

Yes, your home will be much much much more compfy and you'll have unlimited hot water, every room in hour house will be whatever your heart desires. 

As far as utility savings most of my customers save over 70% on there utility bills.  Wouldnt surprise me a bit that in the winter time your worst electric bills with a boiler to be around 85-100 bucks.

There is no need to run them year round.

As far as an ash door, depends on the type/brand of stove you get.  Gassers produce no ash so consider that.

Basically, this market is changing fast due to EPA regs, make a smart decision and go with a large company because most likely the smaller companies won't be around much longer due to tighter emission restrictions and increased cost. 

[Trint]

You will more than likely benifit by a large margin unless you have cheap Nat Gas.
As far as the brands and costs weight the differences and cost for your situation, you mentioned ash doors this was an important consideration to me as well.
Once its running a little cleaning and feeding it.
You do not want 1/2in firebox as it will kill efficiency.

[Scott7m]

in regards to my mo ash comment, there is very little but it's not non existent but very minimal compared to a conventional.

[6pacmac]

If I did not have free wood, I would not get one.  If you gotta pay, it'll add up.   But I do have free wood so it works out!   I see guys with small lots, an acre  or two, cutting down and burning everything in sight.  Then I'll see the log truck drop off a load.   And that can cost some cash.   Not to mention smoking out the neighbors.  The buying and set-up cost of a owb, $5000-12000 and up, depending on unit, can buy alot of propane, natural gas or electric.    As I said, for me the key is access to free or really cheap wood. Just something to think about.

[Scott7m]

I know folks who buy there wood and still save 4 grand a year.  Electric n gas aren't getting cheaper. 

12k bucks will buy about 3 years worth of heating n my area..

[Trint]

The fuel costs vary by area, in my area buying wood and buying Natural gas are about the same.  However buying wood will still put you several thousand ahead of oil, propane, and electric, especially in 100+ year farms houses.

[oldchenowth]

I have a short story that may help.  A friend of mine has a similar house to mine (old and drafty farm) she went thru $1600 in propane a month until she insulated the attic and it went down to $800/ month.  I put mine in before my first winter, and my wife keeps it HOT.  I'm guessing I spent $300 for an entire seasons heating by cutting my own wood.  I don't know how much I saved, but I know it was a BUNCH!  Just for the fact that I did not have to buy propane any winter yet. It was one of my best investments ever. Bar none! 

Research your local laws, buy from a reputable company, see one in action, and ask anyone on here a ton of questions.  There is a lot of knowledge here.