Installing Your Own Outdoor Wood Boiler
Filed Under Outdoors Wood Stove Boilers |
If you want to save money by installing your own outdoor wood stove boiler, with a little research and some hard work it is completely possible. The first step to take is make sure you buy the right wood boiler. You will have to study the outdoor wood boiler designs of more than one company before you actually purchase one. Ask as many questions as possible beforehand. If a stainless steel firebox is available, consider buying it even at a higher initial cost. It will last longer.
You will need to find out the local codes and bylaws to make sure you can install your wood boiler legally in your area. Some places have banned these outdoor wood boilers and you may not be allowed to operate one in your neighborhood. Another detail you need to know is the minimum legal distance from your wood boiler to the buildings you will heat.
You can install all of these pieces yourself: the cement pad or block that the outdoor wood stove boiler will sit on, the underground piping to the house, the heat exchanger in the furnace and the water heater, and the electrical/ control cable for the wood boiler.
If you can work yourself on one or more of these areas, you can get an expert to finish the rest of the work. It might be advisable to hire a plumber and electricin to make your final electrical and plumbing connections. However, running the cable and underground piping is relatively easy for a home handyman. Doing a lot of the work yourself can drop the costs substantially. You can do an online search and find how-to guides on almost any topic.
You can also save money on the heat exchanger and the hot water pump by looking around instead of buying these items off of the dealer. Try contacting a wholesaler or searching on eBay.
There are a lot of ways to save money on the installation of your outdoor wood stove boiler. If you spend some time researching and compare your options, you will come up with a plan that is right for you.
