Wood boilers are a great way to heat your home without using fuel oil or propane. They can be hooked up to other heating systems like hydronic, hot water radiators, and baseboard heaters for greater efficiency. This how-to guide will show you how to hook up an outdoor wood boiler and start generating some serious warmth!
Outdoor Wood Boiler: Choose a Location
The first step in hooking up your outdoor wood boiler is to choose a good location for it. You’ll want to place it near an exterior wall so you can run the piping and chimney out of the house. Make sure there’s plenty of room around the boiler so you can work easily.
- How far does Outdoor Wood Boiler Need to Be from House?
The outdoor wood boiler should be located at least 20 feet away from the house. This is to ensure that any emissions from the boiler will dissipate quickly and won’t enter the home.
- Outdoor Wood Boiler Best Location
– Near an exterior wall
– Plenty of room around boiler
– Minimum 20 feet from house
- How do I insulate outdoor boiler basement?
What kind of insulation should I use in my attic? To insulate your outdoor wood boiler, you can use fiberglass insulation to cover the exterior. On top of that, you’ll want to add an additional layer (at least R-19) on all sides. Finally, wrap the entire thing in a vapor barrier and pad it with foam boards for added protection against heat loss. 
Attic insulation types include:
- Fiberglass
- Additional R-19 insulation
- Vapor Barrier + Foam Boards.
Once you’ve chosen a spot, mark off the area with some spray paint or stakes. This will help remind you where to put the boiler when it’s time to install it.
Outdoor Wood Boiler Installing
Now that you have a general idea of how everything will fit together, let’s start installing the outdoor wood boiler! The installation process for an outdoor wood boiler varies depending on the model you purchase. But in general, you’ll need to install a foundation and attach the boiler to it.
You can find more specific instructions in your owner’s manual. Be sure to read through it thoroughly before beginning the installation process. After choosing the location, you’ll need to connect the piping and chimney. This can be tricky, so be sure to get help from a professional if you’re not familiar with how it should be done.
How to Install a Chimney
Now that you have an outdoor wood boiler, you’ll need to install a chimney for it. This is an important step, as the chimney will allow smoke and fumes to escape from the boiler.
There are a few things you’ll need to take into account when installing a chimney:
- The height of the chimney should be at least twice the height of the roof peak.
- There should be no bends in the chimney pipe.
- The chimney must be installed with a cap on top to keep out rain and snow.
If you’re not comfortable installing a chimney yourself, hire a professional to do it for you.
How to Connect the Pipes
Now that the outdoor wood boiler is installed, it’s time to connect the pipes to the water line. This can be a tricky process, so be sure to get help from a professional if you’re not familiar with how it should be done.
The first step is to connect the water line to the boiler. Be sure to use Teflon tape or pipe sealant on all threads to prevent leaks. Next, install the piping between the boiler and your heating system. There are many different types of piping available, so choose one that will work best for your needs. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the piping. And always use caution when working with hot water or steam!
How to Connect the Heater
The last step is to connect the boiler to your heating system. If you have a hydronic, hot water radiator, or baseboard heaters (like in an electric heater), it’s easy enough to hook up the outdoor wood boiler directly to these units for efficient operation.
If you want more control over how much heat each room gets, consider using zone valves on your piping instead of connecting the boiler directly. This way you can easily turn off individual rooms when they’re not needed and direct more heat towards certain areas when necessary!
Anode Rod Installation
The anode rod is a steel bar that protects the inside of your boiler from corrosion. It’s important to install this part when you first set up your outdoor wood boiler, and it needs to be replaced every two years or so.
If you have trouble locating the anode rod in your owner’s manual, take a look at how big it is compared to other parts of the system – most likely they’ll all be about the same size. Once you know what type of anode rod works with your model, simply place it into one end of the water tank using pliers if necessary.
GFCI Outlet Installation
It’s a good idea to install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet near your outdoor wood boiler. This will help protect you from electric shock in the event of a water leak. The GFCI outlet should be installed in an area that is easily accessible, such as the garage or basement. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing it, and always use caution when working with electricity!
Now that everything is hooked up, it’s time to start heating your home! Enjoy all that warmth coming from your new outdoor wood boiler!
Happy Heating!
Have you started using a wood boiler to heat your home? If not, this guide should help get you on the right track. And if you’re already hooked up and running with one of these boilers, we hope it’s been helpful! Good luck heating your home this winter – you’ll be glad for all that hard work when those bills come in next year!