Sometimes wood stoves are impractical because the room design, walls, or other
barriers impede heat flow throughout the home. In this case, you may want to
consider a wood-or multi-fuel furnace or boiler for central heating. These heaters
are most popular in the Northeast and Midwest. Central wood furnaces may distribute
heat with a forced-air or hot-water system and are available to heat a home
of any size and design.
Usually, a wood furnace uses the existing pipes or ducts in the home and is
controlled by a thermostat. When enough heat has been delivered, the damper
closes so that the fuel smolders. When heat is needed, the dampers open and
the fire comes back to life. Before purchasing a wood furnace, make sure that
you have easy and reliable access to wood fuel. The average wood burning central
heater uses 6 to 10 cords of wood yearly.
Wood Burning central heaters can be installed in your basement, garage (check
local codes), outbuildings or a mechanical room in the home. Be sure to allow
plenty of room around the unit for loading and tending, and consider the easiest
way to move wood to the furnace or boiler.
A Multi-Fuel furnace or boiler uses several sources of energy such as
wood, coal, oil, or gas. Two fuels are usually not used simultaneously.
Maintaining a wood-fuel furnace is more demanding and critical than an oil or
gas furnace. You must feed the fire periodically and clean the ash box and chimney.
However, if you really want to heat your whole house with wood, this is a good
way to go !
Some sources of Central Heating Products:
New Horizon - High efficiency,
clean burnings wood boilers - also Coal and waste wood units.
Energy King - Hot Air and Hot Water add-on
Furnaces using Wood or Pellets/Corn
Magnum - Pellet/Corn Hot Air Furnaces
Greenwood - High Efficiency Hot Water heating