There are somewhere around 200,000 outdoor wood furnaces in use today, both for residential and commercial heating purposes. More and more people and businesses are looking to outdoor wood burning furnaces as a cheap, efficient, and often eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
Owners of residential or commercial furnaces often find that they can save between $10,000 and $50,000 on their heating costs over a 10-year period of use. And owners who can source their wood for free can practically eliminate heating costs altogether.
Additionally, the outdoor component of wood furnace heating is important, too. An outdoor unit is better for even heat distribution than a traditional indoor wood furnace; many current users say that they use 25 to 70% less wood on heating compared to other sources.
Even so, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to get the most out of your furnace, especially if it’s for commercial purposes. As all business owners know, every small expense can quickly add up — and every little bit of saving counts for a lot, too. Here are a few tips to keep your commercial furnaces working as efficiently as they can.
- Cut and season your wood. While scraps and chips will do in a pinch, it’s much better to use cut and seasoned wood for burning — otherwise, up to 50% of the weight of the wood may be water.
- Watch smoke levels. They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire, but in fact, the less smoke your wood produces, the more efficiently it’s burning. Too much smoke means there’s some waste in your furnace or wood that’s causing a reaction.
- Clean ash buildup at least once a week. If you’re burning through a lot of wood, you may need to clean it as often as once a day. Regular maintenance will help keep everything working the way it should.
Whether you’re looking to heat a resort or a greenhouse, wood burning commercial furnaces are the way to go. You’ll be amazed at the difference from conventional propane heating systems. Wood isn’t just efficient; it’s smart.