Outdoor Woodstoves-Anyone have one?

[aggieterpkatie]

We have a heat pump which is costing us an arm and a leg right now. We also have a pellet stove, but it is in the basement since there's no other good spot in the main level to put one in. We desperately want a woodstove, but there's nowhere to put it on the main level. DH has been looking into building an outdoor woodstove with a box built around it with a vent going through the wall into the house.

We're also looking into just buying a wood burning furnace to install in the cellar and hook directly up to the vent system.

Has anyone done one of the DIY outdoor wood stoves? I'd love to hear advice, tips, see pics, etc.

 

[patandchickens]

Not sure it's quite what you're talking about, but I know two people with the (commercially sold) outdoor woodburning furnaces, that are in a little shed maybe 20 ft from the house and the heat is piped into the house. They LOVE them, although one of them does have to have someone come and refill the furnace every day or two (IIRC) if they go away (the other person is running a boarding kennel so there is always someone there TO stoke the furnace).

HOWEVER, both of them had huge battles with their insurance companies over them; also apparently some municipalities around here are starting to really frown on them for whatever reason.

So you would probably want to make sure what your zoning and insurance issues would be, in advance, because it is apparently not always totally logic-driven

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Not sure it's quite what you're talking about, but I know two people with the (commercially sold) outdoor woodburning furnaces, that are in a little shed maybe 20 ft from the house and the heat is piped into the house. They LOVE them, although one of them does have to have someone come and refill the furnace every day or two (IIRC) if they go away (the other person is running a boarding kennel so there is always someone there TO stoke the furnace).

HOWEVER, both of them had huge battles with their insurance companies over them; also apparently some municipalities around here are starting to really frown on them for whatever reason.

So you would probably want to make sure what your zoning and insurance issues would be, in advance, because it is apparently not always totally logic-driven

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

We would love one of that kind, but they're expensive! The kind he wants to make is similar, as in there's a woodstove in an insulated box, but it doesn't heat the water like the ones you mentioned do. The one he wants to make has a vent running from the insulated box through the wall of the house so the hot air flows into the house. The box will have to have a chimney on it, and it's more of a passive air flow into the house.

Good point on checking with zoning, and definitely insurance!

 

[savingdogs]

What does something like that look like or cost?

 

[aggieterpkatie]

What does something like that look like or cost?

I have no idea really. DH found one website where a guy built and sold the set up, but for the life of me I cannot find it!

I did find this site that kinda shows how they're built.

 

[savingdogs]

That is a really nifty idea when you don't have room inside for a heating element! I don't think it would work for us though but I will have to remember that one.

 

[FarmerChick]

best friend Barb had an outdoor woodbox for 30 years

they just got rid of it and went to central heat/air unit cause they are too darn tired to feed it wood anymore haha.....it takes alot of big wood constantly

it isn't ducted directly into the house, it went thru their furnace into ducts.......not sure of the set up-----but if you do this---DO IT RIGHT

do not jury-rig just anything....be sure you do it right or you could have alot of trouble on your hands. Barb's did heat the water also.

again, not sure of the set up but don't rig up just anything.


it might be best to go to a local store that sells those outdoor wood burning units and find out the exact way to handle the set up. after all, it will be a big investment actually cause they are not cheap and making your own--well, again, you have to know what you are doing.


research is your best friend on this one lol

 

[aggieterpkatie]

research is your best friend on this one lol

Exactly! DH feels confident about building one, but I'm a-skeered.

 

[Wannabefree]

We looked at those before we wound up getting a wood stove. They are expensive!! How does he plan on venting it into the house? Just venting it in passively may not produce enough heat. There would have to be some kind of vent from the outside to create airflow to push the warm air into the house. sorry...talking out loud, haven't looked at those plans, but it is a great idea if you can make it work. Let me know

 

[FarmerChick]

research is your best friend on this one lol

Exactly! DH feels confident about building one, but I'm a-skeered.

well if he isn't willing to research----then off you GO and find out info before he tackles the job LOL

when Tony says "I want to do X" I run to the store, a person who is a professional, internet search, LOL---ANYTHING before he gets that whim to start the project haha


yea this is way to important and expensive to "not know" what you are doing before you start