Investing in an outdoor residential burner to heat your home, garage, or other structure can provide a lifetime of savings — if you know what to look for. In fact, homeowners who can cut their own wood or get wood for free are able to eliminate their heating bills entirely. In just 10 years, that can save a homeowner or business anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on energy use and heating costs.
Yet outdoor wood burning furnaces provide even more substantial benefits than traditional indoor ones, too. Homeowners with outdoor furnaces report using 25% to 70% less wood than they would with a regular furnace, since the heat can be distributed more efficiently and evenly. It’s no wonder that there are more than 200,000 outdoor wood furnaces in use today.
When it comes to choosing a residential burner, however, the quality of your system can make a huge difference. A well-built furnace will not only require less wood fuel, it’ll last longer and provide a more dependable source of heating for years to come.
So what qualities should you look for in an outdoor furnace? Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind.
- Stainless Steel. A stainless steel burner provides better corrosion resistance and more oxidation than regular carbon steel, which means a longer lifespan. It’s estimated that a stainless steel Heatmor outdoor furnace will last three times as long as a carbon steel brand.
- Forced Air Combustion. A forced draft will fuel the flames of your furnace more quickly and efficiently than a natural draft system, and will also allow for better heat recovery.
- Ash Auger. Regular ash removal is important to maintain the functioning of your outdoor furnace. A built-in auger makes clean-up much easier than having to wait for the fire to burn out so you can shovel ash.
- Firebrick. The bottom of the furnace is the most susceptible area to corrosion. Using firebrick and an open bottom system can protect against regular wear and tear, while also making for a higher temperature and a more complete burn while the system is in use.
If you’re ready to make the change to a more affordable, efficient, and user-friendly method of residential heating, make an investment that’s worth your while. A high-quality outdoor residential burner could save you a bundle, year after year.