Outdoor Hydronic Heater – The Disadvantages of a Wood Burning Heater System

They were first designed to work with steam heat but modern wood fired systems have reduced the risk of super-heated steam explosions and burns by only using hot water for heating purposes.

Outdoor hydronic heaters have become very popular in the last few decades as the price of more traditional furnaces powered by gas, electricity or oil has risen and people in extreme winter environments have been forced to look for more affordable methods.

This article will give you an overview of how outdoor wood burning heating systems work as well as explain some the more controversial aspects of using these economical devices.

How Does an Outdoor Hydronic Heater Work?

The structure of one of these systems seems at first to be rather simple. Wood is loaded into a burner or firebox, which is surrounded by a “jacket” that heats up the water. The water is then distributed to the home using heavily insulated underground pipes. Inside the house, the hot water is connected to a water-to-air heat exchange unit such as a radiator.

And if properly outfitted with a water-to-water exchange system, it can also be used to heat up all your domestic water used in washing clothes, bathing, cleaning dishes, housekeeping or cooking.

A wood fired hydronic unit is an excellent choice for the homeowner who has quick and easy access to very inexpensive or free wood and who is willing to commit to the process of cutting, storing and loading the cordwood fuel.

The Disadvantages of an Outdoor Hydronic Heater

One of the main concerns surrounding these heater units is of course fire safety as worries about hot water hazards. First of all modern constructed hydronic heaters have all been rigorously tested for fire and combustion safety. If properly installed and maintained the risk of a fire are extremely low.

Plus taking into account that all outdoor heaters of this type are housed in self contained metal sided sheds located a optimum safe distance from the main structure, automatically eliminates any problems associated with from high pressure hot water.

Another factor that concerns many people is the effect that burning wood will have on the surrounding environment. First of all you don’t need me to tell you that wood is a completely renewable resource. So if you are using wood harvested from your own property you have the option to replant.

Actually many local governments are encouraging landowners to plant fast growing trees in small to medium size wood lots in order to stop erosion and hold in rainwater to reduce flooding. This has the added benefit of proving an endless supply of fuel for an outdoor hydronic heater.

And while smoke and fumes from a wood boiler seems like it would be harmful to air quality in actually, this type of furnace has a lower carbon footprint than using fossil fuels like natural gas, propane or oil, which when burned release much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than wood.

Once you understand some the concerns of surrounding using wood hydronic heater systems, you can make a better decision as to whether or not you can fix one into your lifestyle and budget.