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[intensedrive]

Hi,

Second year running a outdoor boiler.  I have noticed in certain high wind conditions my burn times drop in half.  I have a old farm house with poor insulation, my first conclusion was its because of the wind penetration and the furnace blower having to work overtime to keep the home warm.  Studying the situation more it seems to be a combination of both, but more towards the wind blowing into the damper causing the wood to burn faster.  I would like some more insight of high winds and burn time.

Thanks,
Scott

[AirForcePOL]

It's always windy at my house.  I can also notice a huge difference in wood consumption but mine is from heat loss in the house.  I could see on a natural draft stove where high winds would force air into the firebox. 

[oaky]

Definitely, It's happened to my old owb & now my new owb along with boiler temps creeping upward.

[andyhowardcity]

I have a natural draft burner (Timberwolf) and have considered this.  Mine has it's back facing the West, so rarely does it get direct wind.  Biggest consumer of wood and BTU's is wind.  We had a still 5 degree night the night before last and burned 1/2 less wood as a windy 15-20 degree night.
For reference, I put a heaping wheelbarrow of hardwood in twice a day.  Last year I was trying to jam it full ever time and as has been said many times, it simply burns up the wood and leaves you with a bunch of "golf ball ash."

I think the single biggest efficiency/wood consumption piece on these things is how you load them! 

[atvalaska]

my place is tight  12' of stack....wind  creeps up  temps

[coolidge]

I have had my boiler on a shed since new, this past year I moved it across the street with no shelter. Yesterday, 15 to 20 mph wind I couldn't keep wood in it. There will be some sort of windbreak around it soon.

[AirForcePOL]

I think the wind is my biggest enemy.  The average wind at my house in the winter is probably about 20 mph.  I experience the same thing Andy does with having a cold still night and barely burning any wood compared to warmer windy days.

[intensedrive]

Hi,

Wood Boiler back side faces the west which mostly the wind comes from.  I'm very interested on the topic of properly loading the boiler.  I don't split any of my wood mostly are smaller rounds, I just throw them into the burn box when it looks pretty much full.  I must admit some of my rounds are pretty large, looking to purchase a maul to chop them smaller.  I was always told larger rounds will burn longer, but can make it tough to fit more wood.  Have same issue, colder nights with very little wind always surprises me how much wood is still burning and the house is warm.  My only option is to put something in front of the natural draft damper during windy nights to cut the extra air flow..

[slimjim]

GOOD SOLUTION!

[Uponthehill]

If you are looking for an excellent maul, don't pass up at least looking at the link below. I ordered one about 2 months ago. WELL worth the money / very satisfied with the Fiskars X27.

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-X27-6-3-lb-36-in-Super-Splitting-Axe-78846935/202681680

[sceptre74]

If you are looking for an excellent maul, don't pass up at least looking at the link below. I ordered one about 2 months ago. WELL worth the money / very satisfied with the Fiskars X27.

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-X27-6-3-lb-36-in-Super-Splitting-Axe-78846935/202681680

I'll second that. It does a very good job. There is some wood that it will not split so I use my uncle's splitter

[yotehunter66]

I've noticed if the wind is blowing hard out of the north, my stove faces that way, my usage will go up. I believe it may blow up and through the flap on my blower motor.

[CountryBoyJohn]

I burn through more wood on windy night but only because my upstairs is not insulated well. My fan and damper are in the rear of my stove protected from any wind by an insulated door. A feature I really like about the Heatmaster's.

[coolidge]

I may have just discovered why mine is using wood, my screws holding my blower on were rotted off. Only one left. Should run better now.

[AirForcePOL]

It will be pretty calm here tonight.  Winds around 5mph and a low of 25.  I loaded just how I usually would.  I hope to have plenty left in the morning.