Report on
THE GREENWOOD FURNACE
Heating issues are addressed and resolved in this report. The challenge of efficiently providing heat to your water and outbuildings can be resolved by harnessing the power of the Greenwood Furnace. Increasing prices of heating fuels and electricity prices encourage the consumer to choose a renewable fuel at a minimal financial impact.
Because increasing energy usage also increases cost and pollution, individual action is required to reduce pollution while saving our dollars. Greenwood Technologies has developed a method to save money while reducing environmental impact.
This revolutionary, award-winning, central heating system has been produced and modified for 20 years. [1:1] Whether you own a home or business, this powerful tool can benefit you.
The 2007 AHR Exposition and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Exposition has given the Greenwood Furnace awards for the product being revolutionary with an outstanding emissions report. [1:1]
The Greenwood Furnace is as safe to operate as a hot water heater. Though temperatures inside approach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, external surfaces of the furnace are only warm to the touch. By the time heat gets to the external surfaces, nearly all of it has been absorbed by heat transfer liquid, similar to the antifreeze in an automobile engine. This heat is also transferred into a boiler. Greenwood wood gasification boilers are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility where skilled craftsman follow strict procedures. UL and CSA certified furnaces are made with top-quality components and materials, including a durable cast-ceramic firebox. [5:1]
It would be most effective to use the Greenwood Furnace and boiler to zone heat your entire building, using a thermostat in each zone or room. The thermostats control zone valves or zone dampers in forced-air systems [12]. Combine other renewable technologies such as permanent magnets and solar panels for a most efficient building.
Many installation configurations can be implemented determined by demand. Regardless of your demand for hot water, efficient installation plans will utilize all heat produced. Methods of harnessing this energy include:
· Heating a pipe circuit under your driveway and walk to melt snow
· Heating a stone floor
· Heating a greenhouse, barn, shed, garage, etc
· Heating a hot tub or pool
· Drying clothes
Greenwood Technologies manufactures 3 similar furnace models: 100, 200, 300, with 300 being the largest. Fastened to a non-combustible surface, allow a minimum of 36 inches clearance behind, 48 inches clearance in front and 33 inches clearance over-head. Have a qualified HVAC technician install the furnace.
Strategic chimney placement determines the location of furnace installation. Exhaust must pass fluently straight up the chimney with no bends for efficient operation. Surrounded by inside walls, chimney standby temperature remains warm for improved initial draft. The exhaust flue on the furnace determines diameter of the chimney.
Energy savings are about 70% after installing the Greenwood Furnace properly. One customer saved the equivalent cost of the furnace in 2 years, but it can take up to 5 years. Installation situations vary in all circumstance, thus varying cost. [4:1] The Greenwood Wood Furnace price range is between $6,976 and $11,375 with a 10-year limited warranty.
To contact Greenwood Technologies, call (800) 959-9184.
INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SOURCES
1. Greenwood Technologies Receives Brilliant Innovation Award
2. Greenwood Resources: Facts about Heating with Wood
3. Greenwood Furnace: Frequently Asked Questions
4. Greenwood Hydronic Furnace Specifications data sheet
5. Greenwood Wood Furnace - Wood Boiler
6. Greenwood Glossary of Wood Heating Terms
7. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
8. Greenwood Library: All You Need to Know About Gasification
9. Woodheat.org: All About Chimneys
10. Greenwood Home Page
11. How the Greenwood Hydronic Wood Furnace Works
12. Wikipedia
13. Greenwood Products: Hydronic Wood Furnace
14. Choosing a heating system by Alternative Heating Systems
15. Greenwood Furnace Seminar
16. Bimini brochure (Gas-fired boiler)
17. Aprilaire brochure (High efficiency air cleaner)
18. Interview with Christopher Pham
19. Correspondence with Robert Radle
20. Correspondence with Rob Flack; an owner of a Greenwood Furnace
This report has been summarized from my 15 page Greenwood Furnace feasibility report, submitted to my borough.
This is great information! With the rising costs of oil and the diminishing supply of it, we really need to investigate alternative heating sources. I would LOVE to have something under my driveway to melt snow, too. I am curious about the negatives of this furnace though.....are there any?
I have a Greenwood 100 furnace and had it installed about 8 months ago. I live in Northeast Ohio where temperatures can get down to the single digits easy. I live in a 100-year old house that does not have the best insulation factors (my next project!). Before the Greenwood, we only had two heating furnaces (propane)--one upstairs and the other downstairs. Last winter my gas bills were hitting an easy $300 a month and then some!
The Greenwood sends hot fluid/water to both furnaces into exchangers (like a car radiator) that sits either in the return air or exit air ducts. When the water temperature drops to a certain temperature the propane aspect of the furnaces kick in so I never have to return to a cold house after a long weekend away. I have had the temperatures up to a cozy 76 degrees and don't think twice about it--a nice feeling!
The only thing that is a drag is getting firewood in and loading it. But that comes with the territory I guess and it keeps you a little active. I'm an IT guy and sit at the computer way too long... so in the end I guess it is good for me. I put whole logs in this thing... the manufacturer recommends whole logs for more efficient burning so you can actually buy firewood cheaper.... split wood is usually twice as much.
Oh, I have this in my basement... it is about the only indoor wood burner that is UL listed and safe enough to use indoors. There are ways to eliminate the smoke aspect that makes it cleaner to operate indoors. Most people put it outside but I wanted to more efficiently heat the basement just by its proximity. Most of the ash is burned up from the high temperatures but I still have to shovel some out about once a week which I save for spring gardening.
I estimate I will save about $2000 for the 08/09 winter with this thing. It should pay for itself in 3 more years or sooner if oil continues to go up in price. I am going to have it heat my electric water tank as well so that'll knock off about $40 to $50 on my electric bill as well. A lot of people apparently get this done and is one more advantage to having a wood boiler like this. Get one!