Farmers Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Farmers Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Embracing Warmth
Four alt-fuel heaters worth a look
We love the idea of using natural resources for our comfort, especially if there are economic and environmentally-sound reasons for doing so. Take alternative-fuel heating systems, for example. Not only do woodstoves let you live off the grid—and out of the customer lists of gas, propane, and electric companies—but they typically use resources that are both abundant and renewable.
On the renewable-and-abundant side of the equation, you have fuel sources like wood, corn, and wheat-straw. While not renewable (but certainly abundant in certain areas) the once-common coal has all but disappeared from home heating. However, some solid 21st Century engineering has made it a more worthwhile and carefree heat source. Depending on your needs, look for either indoor or outdoor models.
Intrigued by the idea of creating your own heat? Let’s start with the difference between some of the categories (at least as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—EPA— sees them).
Woodstoves are usually made of cast iron or steel and burn split logs (cordwood) to provide heat. The EPA’s updates limit the amount of harmful particle pollution, also known as particulate matter (PM), from two types of newly manufactured woodstoves: adjustable burn-rate woodstoves; and single burn-rate woodstoves.
Adjustable burn-rate woodstoves (already subject to EPA requirements) are designed to allow the owner to adjust the airflow to change the rate at which wood burns. Single burn-rate stoves do not allow for adjustment. The EPA estimates that nearly 86,000 adjustable burn-rate stoves will be will be sold this year, with and nearly 27,000 single burn-rate stoves to be sold.
Pellet stoves are similar in external appearance to woodstoves but burn a fuel made of ground, dried wood and other biomass wastes that are compressed to form pellets. Owners pour pellets into a hopper, which feeds the pellets automatically into the stove. Unlike woodstoves, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate. EPA estimates that about 88,000 pellet stoves will be sold this year.
The Classic Edge outdoor wood furnace is easy to install and designed to perform, providing lower emissions and higher efficiency with less wood. The FireStar combustion controller automatically controls the gasification process and ensures the most efficient heat is delivered to your home. It features built-in wireless connectivity so you can monitor the furnace from anywhere with your smartphone or any device connected to the internet. Central Boiler furnaces are the best choice if performance and value are important to you as they can heat multiple buildings and provide unlimited hot water. Both Classic and Classic Edge models provide peace of mind by removing the threat of fire and carbon monoxide associated with burning wood indoors.
CENTRAL BOILER
800.248.4681
www.centralboiler.com
Designed for radiant floor, forced air, or traditional hot water radiators, Econoburn wood-fueled boilers can save considerable money over existing heating equipment. With models ranging from 100,000-500,000 BTUs, Econoburn’s line of patented, closed system wood gasification boilers feature low-maintenance operation year after year. Made of quarter-inch ASME Grade SA-36 carbon steel construction, these boilers integrate seamlessly with existing heating systems.
Econoburn Boilers
716-792-2094
www.econoburn.com
G-Class is all about making wood burning as clean, simple and easy as possible while eliminating your high heating bills. To accomplish this, the G-Class is packed with an impressive array of features 7 of which are industry firsts which together deliver unmatched product value. You will love how easy the G-Class is to operate and how simple it is to maintain. You will love the smoke free combustion and be amazed at how much less wood you will burn (customers claim over 60% savings) when compared to older outdoor wood furnace technology. G-Class takes it to a whole new level. Learn more on our website.
POLAR FURNACE
855.582.2233
www.polarfurnace.com
The all-new CleanFire is the clean, safe and efficient way to heat your home, other buildings and more with wood. Enjoy the benefits of cleaner buring and high efficiency, and use less than half the wood compared to other conventional ways of wood heating. CleanFire outdoor furnaces feature a stainless steel firebox for durability and are specifically engineered and designed to be easier to operate. The combusion controller monitors how the wood is buring and automatically adds air where and when it's needed for the cleanest, most efficient combusion. You can even see how it's operating in real time on your phone or set up notifications so you know when it's time to add wood.
The CleanFire checks every box of what an outdoor furnace should be - ultra high efficiency, clean buring, easy to operate, easy to maintain and built to last a lifetime. CleanFire comes in three mobels which are EPA Step 2 Certified.
WOODMASTER
800-932.3629
www.WoodMaster.com
