Outdoor Wood Boiler FULL INSTALL, Start to Finish

Melissa and I install a Central Boiler 560 to heat the house and barn. Here's every step in our process from the trenches to the radiators. Our review of the boiler after the first winter is here: • Outdoor Wood Boiler 1s...
Support and follow me:
✯ Buy me a coffee ➠ www.ko-fi.com/metaspencer
✯ Throw down on Patreon ➠ / metaspencer
✯ Follow on Instagram ➠ / metaspencer
✯ Stalk on Facebook ➠ / metaspencer
✯ Shop on Amazon ➠ www.amazon.com/shop/metaspencer
#outdoorboiler #outdoorwoodburner #centralboiler
My downloadable plans:
✯ metaspencer.etsy.com
Some of my other videos:
✯ Winter Overnight ➠ • Winter Overnight at th...
✯ Shelter Build ➠ • Building a Backwoods S...
✯ Prison Bus ➠ • Bus Tour -- Prison Bus...
✯ Old Tractor ➠ • 50 Year Old Tractor Co...
✯ Old Dump Truck ➠ • 50 Year Old Dump Truck...

[@metaspencer]

Our review of the boiler after the first winter is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKGkdHuvadSnb5I

[@1768ify]

My questions have already been answered, but I have a suggestion. Turn the basement pump so that the shaft is horizontal.

[@metaspencer]

Oh man, you are so right about that pump! It burned out in that orientation in one day. Seized. So I replaced it and put the new one in horizontal. Doh! Living and learnin' over here :)

[@mrknittle532]

It's settled. My knitting rocking chair, spinning wheels, cat, and I are moving into the new barn. You two seriously have my dream setup. Plus, I love watching you work together. Great stuff!!

[@metaspencer]

Our barn kitties need the company!!! :)

[@knittingthestash]

Loved seeing this from start to finish--fun to relive it (mostly)

[@metaspencer]

Great doing it with ya!

[@misterz2719]

I think it's great u guys work together.

[@littlemogocreek]

What a team. Quality work as always guys. Thanks for sharing how you did it.

[@metaspencer]

Big thanks! It was a fun project for sure

[@dickdavidson3616]

Great investment and nice to see that you did all of the installation and testing yourself!

[@metaspencer]

Big thanks! Yeah, it's been fun

[@kapdolkim1914]

Nice video. We had a sprawling complex - house, store, gun shop, etc. - and my dad built the same thing you have. He used some huge barrels for the stove and welded on a door. It was big enough to cremate a body. He built at pickup truck bed height so you could back up with an 6 foot log and just push it in. Originally it was next to some buildings but the insurance company made him move it across the driveway. The copper pipes went underground and to radiators throughout the buildings. They were simple repurposed radiators with fans. He burnt all of the paper from the store and huge logs. It would only need filling every other day. For 30 years it heated all of the building in Minnesota winters - up until he sold everything. IN our first house my Dad but in in-floor heating (hot water) long before anyone else. He had seen hot floor heating in Korea and wanted the same.

[@metaspencer]

That sounds like an amazing setup and ... crematorium! I wanted to build my own but ended up going the store-bought route. What a cool story you have there!

[@yota87truck]

That's a pretty involved project. Nice work! Can't wait to see another episode on the shop build!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out! Now that we've got the heat figured out the barn is back on the agenda :)

[@FromSteelToWood]

That is the best installation video I've seen on KZbin! Quick, but the essential details are there! Thanks!

[@metaspencer]

Great to hear! Yeah, we're pretty happy with the system so far ... just gotta build a big woodshed :)

[@125sm3]

Great team work. What a great investment and improvement to your house. 4 years to pay for itself, that's not long at all. Nice one 👍

[@metaspencer]

So far so good. :) Nice and toasty in the house

[@crazycoyote1738]

Sweet couple, I enjoyed watching the harmony between you guys, thank you for sharing!!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for that! We definitely have some fun out there

[@maryzcorner]

Hubby and I had fun watching your ( you and Melissa) journey putting this in. It reminded me in some ways when we put in our water system from up creek on our mountain. The water box is 3/4th of a mile up the mountain from our house.

[@metaspencer]

That sounds like an interesting system! Sounds like it's better than my "hoist the bucket!" approach with our creek :)

[@lorenmeyer5290]

WOW very interesting! Great video you two! That was alot of work! God bless y'all!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks Loren :)

[@stevecrifase9713]

Amazing - you guys are so talented

[@metaspencer]

Big thanks! Always some fun out there for sure

[@centerlinefabsolutions8918]

Great craftsmanship! I hope it goes great for you all.

[@metaspencer]

Big thanks! Nice and toasty in the house now so we’re happy

[@williamrehberg2546]

Well I think y'all did a great job...I knew it was serious when I saw Spencer reading instructions!🤣

[@metaspencer]

And the instructions weren’t even upside down :)

[@mikekuczynski1552]

I wondered how these work . Thanks for the video

[@metaspencer]

It's been running really well ... we feed it each day at noon and the house is nice and toasty. Thanks for checking out the project!

[@apaulothegreat1581]

Oh great one. That's how I'm gonna start this off you did a real good job on this video. I am a metal fabricator and a heavy equipment mechanic I know things. And you my friend have great Craftsmanship which is rare. Merry Christmas to you and your family have a wonderful life.

[@metaspencer]

Big thanks for the comment man! You made my day ... stay safe and warm out there

[@the_boatswain]

Awesome! It's like an endless fuel for a tree guy!

[@metaspencer]

That's what I'm thinking! People pay ya to heat your house :)

[@Clothis64]

This heating system (water circulating in radiators) is so much more pleasant than electric radiators, and then with all the wood you can recover, it’s a very good investment 👍

[@metaspencer]

Yeah the heat quality is sooooo nice

[@SD-co9xe]

Radiant heat is so nice.

[@billardinger5610]

Thank you!

[@metaspencer]

just about time to fire it up for the winter!

[@randyvoiles6579]

Wow awesome 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@erik30012]

great job! hope you are sitting warm!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks!

[@RichardThompson-gc1cf]

Great job keep up the good work

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for that!

[@gregbrown9271]

Nice job 👏 👍

[@garynicholls72]

Hi Gary from the UK here, I'm an old heating engineer and I have been in the game for 55 year's, I don't understand why you instead the boiler so far from the house, And this is a tip for you always fit pumps on the return for 2 reasons No1, the pump will run cooler so the pump will last longer before needing to be replaced and No2 it's quieter because the water jacket of the boiler absorbs the noise. Plus have a look at balancing central heating systems you will get more heat for less wood burnt. I LOVE THAT BOILER. Great video very interesting and informative keep them coming thank you

[@metaspencer]

Here's why we put the boiler far from the house: 1) we hate mice in the house and wood piles collect millions of them around here, 2) we like to be able to open the windows in the winter, sometimes, and having the boiler far from the house keeps the smoke away. As for temp drop between boiler and house, it's about 1-2 degrees. So far the pumps are hanging in! :) Thanks buddy!

[@garynicholls72]

@@metaspencer Gary from the UK here, thank you for your reply, Now I understand why you install the boiler so far from the house thank you

[@JanaiB72]

What a phenomenal job! Very organic and organized. You make it look so simple despite all the sophistication. You have a wonderful help mate too. Subscribing for more!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for that! we've been pretty happy with the system ... such an abundance of heat!

[@kaurkoop]

great video!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out

[@timcockrell497]

Nice

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Nice work

[@metaspencer]

Thanks buddy

[@johnsommerfeld6889]

Man, you are one busy guy! Looks really good.

[@metaspencer]

a little bit at a time, ya know how it is

[@johnsommerfeld6889]

@@metaspencer Yes I do! Thanks for the video, I always enjoy them.

[@hollandduck79]

Hello 🙋‍♂️from the Netherlands 🇳🇱. nice to see Melissa (I hope I got the spelling right hihi) interacting more with the camera. nice job Melissa and Spencer . thanks for the video Spencer . Sincerely, Hollandduck 🇳🇱🦆

[@metaspencer]

Good hearing from ya buddy

[@panhandletrains]

Very cool 👍

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@rickstafford5316]

Awesome

[@metaspencer]

Thanks buddy

[@James-ib2kp]

Lots of labor involved,and I am sure you were nervous when turning the system on for the first time. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@metaspencer]

You said it -- at first it seemed like such a new and strange system, but now it's just comfortable and great. Awesome heat for our setup ... no doubt about it

[@BsBucWiLD]

Just a thought, but if you did re-do this heater, you could take that second line and put a line that goes through the concrete pad where you put your wood so that it will help dry out the wood and remove the snow all at the same time... Give the mice a nice warm place to nest and sleep as well. 😁😆

[@metaspencer]

interesting idea! thanks for checking out the project ... we're pretty happy with it

[@marcuscicero9587]

great job, ton of effort.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out. That beast has been heating soooo well. Really nice to have some serious heat in this house (finally)

[@SteampunkSteve]

You are going to love how that heats your house and that people pay you to haul away the fuel. Although I am surprised you put it so far from the house. Long walk on bitter days

[@metaspencer]

The long cold trek to the heater! Who's gonna do it? :) Thanks man

[@Solberg28]

Central boiler made in MN awesome good choice

[@metaspencer]

Good so far!

[@johnzimmerman6516]

I’ve seen these all over northern Wisconsin and they usually are not quite as far away from the house.

[@metaspencer]

Yeah we like the idea of keeping the smoke away from the house and also spacing out our buildings (there will be an ag building there eventually). Everyone does things a bit differently I guess

[@p3l1k44n1]

Nice work. I personally use a wood burning stone oven. Gives both heat to the house and cooks food too.

[@metaspencer]

That sounds like a great setup, especially with fuel prices rising!

[@p3l1k44n1]

@@metaspencer 2€ per liter.

[@metaspencer]

Wow!!

[@LogCabinFirewood]

New sub here👋 I'm thinking about an outdoor boiler here at the cabin, I have a central boiler dealer very close too. This is nice to see that i can do this myself. Great video. We currently heat exclusively with wood with a hotblast forced air stove in the basement, but I'd love to keep the mess that wood creates outside.😂

[@metaspencer]

Sounds like a good cabin! We really like the way the wood, bugs, mice, smoke, etc. is all contained far from the house. Great heat too!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Id love to get one of these but we only spend around $1000-1500 on propane a year so it would take 10+ years to break even. And I have unlimited wood on my property. Im not convinced that these would last the 15-20years in order to actually save any money. Im in southern PA so you must live somewhere super cold! Liked to vid thanks for the time you put into it👍

[@metaspencer]

Wow, that's an amazingly low heat bill. Amazingly low! For us, the wood boiler wasn't only about the money: it also provides us with much better and MORE heat than our very modest previous system. But yeah, it sounds to me like it might not be the best system for you. For us it's just great! :)

[@projectswithjw]

Really nice video. 👍 I liked everything except drilling those pretty floors.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out. Yeah going through the floors was tough :)

[@oby-1607]

Hopefully you are never sick and have to go out and fill the boiler in the middle of the night when it is -20 with a 40 mph wind from the North. 1st you would have to find the boiler way out there in the snowstorm. Maybe one day a steel shed around that with cover for the firewood? And yes, that insulated pex is ridiculous expensive for what it is. We have similar pipe and we were told that we didn't even have to bury it as even with snow on it the snow never melts even with 180 degree water going thru it.

[@metaspencer]

Plans for the steel shed are in the works -- that'll be nice, but not until next winter. Until then it's all about mud, snow, and ice out there! Woo!

[@danieltranchida4009]

Great video even cement looked like 6 or 7 bag mix ( not watery thumbs-up) not sure how your winters are was told if snow melts over your lines dug your not deep enough. Heat loss Super job

[@metaspencer]

we have been super happy with it through 2 winters now. No melt over the lines, only 2 or 3 degrees of temp drop between the heater and the house, and we're heating the big workshop now too. can't beat the quality of the heat! :)

[@williamkeehn3637]

Nothing like drilling first then looking lol Nothing like rock in the soil when digging good job watching KZbin on a 50 inch TV I can really see some of the detail you described Your a good teacher even though I'm sure it's not you intent My brother in law has one his can be over filled and get to hot and boil the water out I just figured out how to comet using the smart phone while watching your video

[@metaspencer]

It sounds like the BIG SCREEN is working out for ya! I'll have to set one up at some point as it sounds like a great way to watch things. Good hearing from ya man

[@xoso599]

I'd suggest putting a stamped metal tag in a water tight bag labeling the lines with a laminated paper tag. Working in a 80 year old building I've thanked past workers many times for the extra labels on pipes.

[@metaspencer]

Great idea. That kind of labeling is great in the future ... thanks for the tip

[@swede3853]

just FYI the UF gray electrical cable doesn't have to go into conduit, it is designed for direct burial. But it doesn't hurt. Great job, helping my research.

[@metaspencer]

Pro Tip! makes sense because that gray stuff is TUFF. thanks buddy

[@Watk72]

So we had one a couple of years and then removed it. It was extremely expensive to run not to mention that when the power goes out you have to rush out and hook up a generator to prevent over boiling which if that happens it cracks the fire box. Not to mention you can’t leave your home for more than 24 hours in the winter unless you have someone to feed the fire because you can’t let the water tank freeze in the winter or it will crack the water tank and destroy the pump.

[@metaspencer]

Interesting. We hard wired a generator into our power box to make outages easier to deal with and get wood for free so no cost there. But definitely not for everyone!

[@green1061506]

Hi thanks for sharing the good work you did. For the water expanding did you install an expansion tank?

[@metaspencer]

As I understand this system it's open (open on top of the tank at the heater), so expansion in the system is handled by that open top. So no expansion tanks in this setup as it stands right now

[@kwesiakoto3397]

Thank you for the video. Did you hook the boiler up to your hot water heater as well? I'm interested in how that connection comes together.

[@metaspencer]

That connection is pretty simple as it just takes a heat exchanger: amzn.to/3WroUt0 ... There is no water mixing: the heated water just heats up the exchanger and the water going into the water heater gets pre-warmed. I have the exchanger but haven't done it yet (doh!)

[@xephael3485]

hopefully you put expansion couplers on the PVC because I've heard it'll expand / shrink and break if you don't.

[@metaspencer]

Well maybe that'll be the first thing to fix! I'm assuming there will be some hiccups along the way

[@danrussell3509]

If you want to save some money I would suggest ( if practical ) putting this outdoor wood burner as close to your home as possible because that insulated underground water pipe you have to bury from the Burner to your home is INSANELY EXPENSIVE !

[@metaspencer]

You said it! Pricey stuff! But we prefer not to crowd our buildings together

[@justified09]

You should get a zone controller, a few pumps and separate it some so it's not all running all the time. Can make it controlled by thermostats in each room if you wanted to. Love watching you guys work together!!

[@metaspencer]

You are absolutely right! current controls are simple but not as effective as that would be. I've gotta do a bit of research to figure out just what we need ... but that's the plan. Thanks man

[@gravelagogo]

Nice work. Excellent video. I see that you have two pumps. I have seen older versions of that same wood boiler only using one pump. Is the two pump version an upgrade? If one pump fails, can the second pump run the system? I'm seriously considering this as an option. Again, great job on the video.

[@metaspencer]

We've got two pumps at the boiler because we have two lines, but then each line has two pumps. When one fails I think it'll block the line up with it's impeller blades, which will really suck when that happens. My understanding is that the two pumps on one line just improve the flow and reduce load on each unit

[@fibernymphdyeworks]

Very cool to see this process start to finish. A lot of homes around us in SW PA have these. Two questions...first, what was the tool you were using to cut off that big green pipe inside the box? And you installed a second pump in the house. What is the purpose for that one since there's one out on the stove end? Is it on the same line? Or is it for the water returning to the stove?

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking out the project. That cutting tool was an oscillating tool -- good for precise cuts just kinda slow. And as for the second pump it's just to keep things moving along since there is added resistance in the house. There are two pumps on one line ... I didn't figure out the flow resistance exactly or anything but the second pump seemed to make sense

[@fibernymphdyeworks]

Thanks for the reply! As for the second pump, I just wondered about cavitation having two on the same line.

[@metaspencer]

Cavitation! It’s possible so I’ll have to think about that …. Thanks or the idea as I’m new to fluid systems like this one

[@rogerl8488]

Cool thanks for video!! The stand on skid steer thing where did you buy it an is it good?

[@metaspencer]

I bought that stand on skid streer direct from the company in china ... here's a video all about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joq0gWSgoqh1i6M

[@timmorris7327]

Add a plate to plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water.

[@metaspencer]

That is on my list! I just got the exchanger so just need to hook it up. I wasn't sure if we'd have the hot water to do it but this thing is CRANKING hot. So yeah, doing the hot water makes sense. Thanks man

[@ragnarocking]

Great stuff! How often do you have to replenish the wood in the boiler?

[@metaspencer]

I’m still early on with it but about every 24 hours

[@jessesmith1181]

Should have pit the pumps in the house. That way when they fail and it's freezing cold outside you can be standing in a warm basement servicing them

[@metaspencer]

Sounds like a good idea! that freezing cold day awaits me, no doubt :)

[@ras5056]

Great video! Would really liked to have heard a $$$$$$ figure vs the 4 year payback. I was really interested in upgrading my non-gasifying boiler to the CB but the $15500 I am getting quoted for just the boiler is really setting me back. I am already reaping the financial savings, but would like to replace my 20 year old stove with an assurance for next 20 year, and interested in the potential 50% less wood but again $15K+ is a lot of wood. Also, why did you put the stove so far away from your house? Mine is under a shed just adjacent to my garage so the convenience is amazing especially on the nasty weather days and nights. Keep the awesome footage coming

[@metaspencer]

Hey man, thanks for checking out the project. Yeah, that price you were quoted is about what we paid -- and then there were all the added/extra costs. Prices are just crazy right now but it's nice to no longer have a propane bill (for us). We put the boiler far from the house for a bunch of reasons: to keep smoke away from the house, but also because we like to spread out buildings out on our property. I'm planning to build a large shed alongside the boiler and didn't want that near the house. Sounds like you have a good setup!

[@joeshmo5399]

Good to know what's involved thanks. Is this a 30% glycol system?

[@metaspencer]

It was definitely a multi-step process. Yeah you can do 30% antifreeze if you plan to shut the system off for long stretches in the winter

[@mrwattsclass107]

Hey Spencer. I'm wondering how often you need to add wood and how much wood you add each time? Thanks.

[@metaspencer]

I'm still working those averages out but it seems like a load of wood goes in about every 24 hours and you know how it is: the amount of wood depends on the quality of the wood. Good solid hard wood burns sooooo much slower than birch or poplar. Around here people tend to burn between 3-10 cords a winter but again, it all depends on how much you're heating :)

[@chaosplan]

Been thinking about one of these for my place. Watching your video made me realize that it looks like something I could tackle. How much time do you think you spent on your install (boiler + thermopex + interior piping)?

[@metaspencer]

The time is a bit hard to measure since we worked on it only on weekends and intermittently. All in all it was probably a solid week to get it done, what with the 9 million trips to the hardware store :)

[@chaosplan]

@@metaspencer yea, especially with plumbing projects it seems. A week is pretty impressive considering all the mini projects, slab, trench, electrical, etc.

[@christophermelby8471]

Sure hope the New ones are WAY BETTER THAN ALL THE OLDER ONES. AS THEY ALL SUCK !! CL-17 especially side draft all developed pin holes and ALL RUSTED OUT MINES BEEN WELDED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW THE LAST BANDAGE IS THE LIQUID BOILER SEALER … LOVE IT WHEN IT WORKS!! Not so when it’s Broken…. looking at NEW Portage and Main BOILER !! Sorry Central .. Was good few good years anyways. Lol

[@metaspencer]

Oh man that sounds rough! These days Central Boiler offers a 25 year warrantee but in my experience rust always happens

[@alanosborne1947]

Do you plan to put a roof or enclose the boiler? Here in North Carolina I've seen many wood boilers that have a roof or complete enclosure of the boiler. I think using either one would help protect the boiler and your investment. Good job on your install!!

[@metaspencer]

Yeah you said it. The plan (come springtime) is to build a structure out there with room for wood, tools, tractors, etc. I like the idea of roofing over the boiler, as you describe, to keep the water and snow off. Rust is inevitable but I try to fight it as much as possible

[@petersdraggon]

It might sound like a dumb question but I notice boilers are always placed way-far away, it that a safety issue or more to do with capacity or maybe a little of both? Great video, for a first attempt it was very well done.

[@metaspencer]

In our case we wanted to keep smoke, wood storage, and the structure away on our property

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

The radiator set up is interesting. The ones iv mainly seen on KZbin have been basically forced air central heat set ups.

[@metaspencer]

Yeah we'd only seen forced air and in-floor radiant, too ... but we really like the radiators! it works in our house that never had a furnace

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

@@metaspencer 👍

[@cool4487]

I really like the radiators that you installed. Can you provide the manufactures information please.

[@metaspencer]

They're great -- we like them too. Myson makes them www.mysoncomfort.com/Products/Radiators---T6--T6-IVC

[@rogerl8488]

I like the radiator things where did you buy them at?

[@metaspencer]

We got them at our local stove store ... yeah, they're pretty cool. They're some kind of German brand

[@DcaCo123]

Wow! Great Video and thanks for sharing. I would love to hire you an Melissa to do the same for my workshop and cabin here in North Michigan. Let me know your thoughts, thanks again.

[@metaspencer]

North Michigan! You sound like someone who needs some wood-powered heat. We thought this system would be a money saver, and it has been (no propane burned since the first day), but the best thing has been the true WARMTH in the whole house. You're gonna love it when you get it set up. Sorry to say, but our schedules are too full to help ya out

[@billardinger5610]

Great video! What kind of local or state permits are required? Thanks!

[@metaspencer]

Just a simple $30 permit through our Town zoning office where we live, but it varies in different locations

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Happy Birthday, Spencer. Edit: I just realized that KZbin changed my name (This is Cynthia)

[@metaspencer]

Thanks!

[@drackar]

Looking at this I was a little confused at the "4 years to pay off the unit" given the cost of firewood for most folks, but I look at your channel and yeah, looks like you don't have to pay much, if anything for the bulk of the wood you feed into this system, given the tree work.

[@metaspencer]

Yeah it's nice getting paid to bring home firewood -- the cost of good hardwood would definitely lead to different equations for others. Thanks for checking out the project!

[@thefretfiend]

Nice job on the install. I can envision you trudging all that distance out to the boiler to stoke it on a bitter winter day. Why did you place it so far from the house?

[@metaspencer]

There were a few reasons for the location of the heater: we like to keep buildings spaced out on our property, and there will be a big wood shed near the heater ... another reason is that we wanted to keep the smoke far from the house. Plus, crowding the house isn't our thing and there will be lots of wood piles, tractors, equipment, etc. near the heater

[@arnejahr3531]

Are you going to do a end of season review

[@metaspencer]

I think that would be a good idea ... lots to share

[@mrpush2532]

Cool stuff. Why did you place it so far away from house n barn? Heat loss, friction losses etc add inefficiencies. No spot closer to house?

[@metaspencer]

We lose about 2-3 degrees between the unit and the house, it's true, but located it far from the house the keep smoke and mice away. We like to open windows in winter :) We also like to space out buildings apart and this was a nearly equidistant location between house and barn (which is also heated with the boiler)

[@acetech9237]

Did anyone else think that was a porta-potty? Asking for a friend...😄🤣

[@AT-jt6ic]

Thank you for the video. I am in the process of building a home in PA and I am considering this setup. Could you let me know what that system costs? Ive seen a $20.000 gassifier system which is a lot for my budget. I dont know what propane costs either lol! Thanks again

[@metaspencer]

I think cost really depends a lot on region, model, how much of the work you do yourself, distance to house, type of heating setup in the house, etc. I'd say the price range would be $10k to $30k depending on all those factors.

[@robertclary1874]

Do you like your stove?Thinking of buying one.Thanks.

[@metaspencer]

We love it ... best heat we've ever had in the house, only have to refill it every day or two (depending on outside temps), and for us it means free heat because I get the wood for free through work. So yeah, runs great as long as you keep it clean

[@laquan920]

The closer the wood boiler is to the house the more hotter the air will be

[@metaspencer]

yeah we lose about 2 degrees in water temperature between the boiler and the house. if we put it closer that might be 1 degree

[@dansw0rkshop]

1:29 Hopefully it doesn't rust out in 4 years. What is the warranty period on the burner?

[@metaspencer]

25 year warranty ... we'll see if I manage to live that long :)

[@6ftS]

What an incredibly cool boiler dude!! well done with hooking that monster up so well! I was wondering about the piles of wood out there in the open... saw you choppin it all out there in the middle of a field and thought you had plans for making it a woodpile the size of a football field... so are you going to keep all the wood of every tree you cut in the future? Seems like a wise investment to have an infinite supply of fuel that will keep the heat going basically for free.. PS How often do you have to pickle out there to stoke the fire or does a single load go all night? I suppose the heater element pipes are in the floor of the firepit so even when the wood dies down the coles will keep it warm till it turns cold?

[@metaspencer]

For us it seems to make sense, given all the wood I bring in. :) Toasty so far! It needs to be reloaded about every 24 hours when burning high quality hard wood ...

[@dansw0rkshop]

@@metaspencer How cold is it outside where you are, and how warm do you keep your house?

[@metaspencer]

@@dansw0rkshop Temps here in upstate NY range between -10 and 30s in the winter, more or less. The house has been a steady 75 which has been nice ... previously it was in the low 60s at best with just a small propane heater

[@dansw0rkshop]

@@metaspencer Fantastic. That's about what we have here in Michigan. We also have the thermo set to 75 and the burner keeps up nicely. I made my own outdoor burner to use pallet wood. It does the house, part of the shop and the domestic hot water. I fire morning and evening most of the winter.

[@metaspencer]

@@dansw0rkshop Sounds great man. I have mine hooked up to heat the shop, but still have to finish building the shop :) haha ... refilling just once a day at this point. What great heat in the house!

[@timnash6870]

Tim from Canada if you were going through a cement foundation.. you’re a little cheap drill, no matter how much you paid for it will not work… do you need to either rent or buy?…SDS Hammer drill.?… this will go through your foundation. . Standard drills may or may not work for your job invest in rent or borrow…SDS Hammer drill. And a good cement holesaw…

[@metaspencer]

You said it buddy -- nothing beats a quality hammer drill that's water cooled. Great tools. But we got by with what we had

[@grumpyoldman3597]

Are you concerned about the pex tubing temperatures you took at all (internally probably hotter than external measurements)? We were warned if we ever hit 200 we must replace everything, and 180 is a danger zone we should avoid? I saw you measuring 170 at one tube, are you afraid you're borderline for the radiator tubing and need to bring that down some so the pex in the house isn't compromised long-term? P.S. I couldn't tell if you had any pressure relief valves that blowoff after a certain pressure to avoid buildup which lowers the maximum temperature allowed as pressure increases?

[@metaspencer]

I don't worry about it -- our temps top out at 185 or 190 when everything is in the swing of things. A lot of guys tend to use PEX and I haven't heard of bursting or leaking from overheating. But that's just me: I don't worry about it and wouldn't mind replacing pipe if it did come to that someday. No pressure release valves as it's an open system

[@CWBKC]

Who speced your pumps? They look massive

[@metaspencer]

Heating store dude … I could be going with overkill but my delta t is good

[@UK-Expat-in-USA]

Curios if you used rebar in the boiler pad?

[@metaspencer]

nah just poured it ... hasn't cracked yet! :)

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Curious why you’d use that little yellow digger if you have a bobcat?

[@metaspencer]

Bobcat was a rental -- I sometimes rent them for jobs where I have to move huge logs -- but a man can dream of SOMEDAY having one

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@metaspencer thanks for clearing that up 🤣. Nice job documenting the install! I DIYed my whole home generator and didn’t take the time to film it for KZbin…wish I had, it had some good drama!

[@metaspencer]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE Looks to me like you're the BBQ master! I've gotta learn some stuff over on your channel. My BBQ is kinda like "Add some salt and hope for the best" :)

[@jimw3799]

I see people install a radiant heat concrete floor. Is this boiler something that could be used for that application?

[@metaspencer]

Yeah a lot of people heat that way with this boiler -- it pumps out a lot of hot water so it can be used in heat exchangers, radiant, radiators, etc. Some people heat their pools with them even

[@joshallio9111]

how often do you refill the water loop?

[@metaspencer]

Haven't had to add any water yet ... and it's been a year. Pretty much self contained

[@sandypratt8951]

❤️👍👍👍

[@metaspencer]

Thanks Sandy!

[@brianpiatt8813]

Where did you get the radiators and what brand?

[@metaspencer]

They're euro radiators and I'm pretty sure they're these ones or close to them ... www.supplyhouse.com/Buderus-3-42424-Model-21-24-x-24-Hydronic-Panel-Radiator?Shopping_Neutral_MPLTV&gclid=Cj0KCQiA45qdBhD-ARIsAOHbVdET7YWMuqmPhFlieSn9jX0c-SsEgS1um5rjz7JaNLlA4_Y3w7ulc0IaAmToEALw_wcB .. our Central Boiler dealer dude had them in his catalog. I think they were about $230 each for the size we got

[@austintowne8040]

How do you like the Chinese mini skid steer?

[@metaspencer]

Ya know it's not as great as the big Toro and Bobcat brands -- but I'm real happy with it. I've ended up using it most days and it's made a lot possible

[@joshmiller8663]

I cringed when she ran under the skid steer while the arms were up. We had and excavator blow a hydraulic line while the boom was about half way up and man did it come down fast. stay safe guys

[@metaspencer]

You're right about that for sure: no need to take that kind of risk. Thanks man

[@krisk1547]

Systems are this are pretty popular in Europe. At least they were when i was living there 25 years ago, however I've never seen furnace outside. Why is it so far away from house?

[@metaspencer]

We like to keep smoke and mice far from the house, and also to space our buildings out... thanks for checking it out!

[@jasonnourry9612]

Do wood boilers have safety valve incase of over pressuring?

[@metaspencer]

There are a lot of different designs and ours is what's called "open" so no pressure. They can over boil if the controls (dampers, sensors, etc) go screwy.

[@pamelas9]

Anyone who casually drops "mélange" in a sentence is my kind of people. #newsubscriber

[@metaspencer]

Another logophile! Welcome aboard :)

[@turdferguson8612]

Probably should run a larger wire for the voltage drop

[@metaspencer]

Supposed to be 14 so I ran 12 … seems okay

[@turdferguson8612]

@@metaspencer you can use an online voltage drop calculator