Outside Wood Burners

Outdoor vs. Indoor: The Pros and Cons of Outdoor Wood Boilers

So, you want to live green. You want to maintain an existence that won’t put the environment in danger, you want to give back what you get from nature. Did you know that the kind of heating system you use can actually greatly affect your carbon footprint? Did you know that wood boilers are the greenest option?

Well, if you’re for all things eco-friendly, then you’ve probably already heard about that. Because wood boilers use, obviously, wood for fuel, it is the most earth-friendly way to provide heat for your home. Plus, you’ll save up a lot on money as well, since you won’t need to buy expensive imported oil.

But when it comes to wood boilers, what is the better option: outdoor or indoor? If you’re torn between outdoor wood boilers and the indoor counterpart, here are a few things you should think about.

Let’s Hear it for the Outdoors

Well, the best thing about outdoor wood boilers is the fact that it stays outdoors. You can install it 500 feet away from your home. This way, you can rest assured that if ever something goes wrong with your furnace, you and your family are at a safe distance from it.

Another benefit is that you won’t have to carry firewood into your home. Plus, you’ll only need to feed the fire once a day.

Also, if you’re especially particular about cleanliness, then you should really consider an outdoor wood boiler. This means no soot, smoke, dust or wood inside your home. Keeping the lumber outdoors is also good if you or one of your family members is allergy-prone.

But what are the disadvantages to getting outdoor wood boilers? Some states, like Washington, are yet to legalize the selling of outdoor wood boilers, so make sure you check the rules for your location.

The Indoors Strike Back

Now that we’ve listed the pros and cons for outdoor wood boilers, what can the indoors say?

Well, I think indoor wood boilers are convenient for anyone who does not like having to go out in a blizzard to operate their home heating system.

Also, though indoor boilers tend to need replenishing more often than outdoor ones, if you buy a really good quality indoor wood boiler, you can cut down the “feeding” time to half.

An indoor wood boiler is also double-duty: you can buy a model that will not only heat up your space, but work as a water heater as well. This will eliminate the need to buy and install connectors like you would have to do with an outdoor boiler. 

And possibly the most tempting feature an indoor wood boiler has: the selling of it is legalized in most, if not all, states. Newly manufactured indoor boilers are made to meet Ecology standards. Moreover, even the old-fashioned indoor boilers are said to emit less pollutants than an outdoor one.

In the end, the decision still lies on your personal preference. Do your research and educate yourself. Ask about your state rules regarding indoor and outdoor boilers. Trust me, it pays to be conscientious – even when it comes to your heating system.