How to Maintain Your Wood Boiler

If you’ve got a wood boiler, you know how awesome it is to heat your home with something that doesn’t rely on oil, gas, or whatever your utility company decides to charge you this year. But like anything mechanical, your wood boiler needs regular TLC if you want to keep it chugging along for many years to come.

Let’s go over some easy maintenance tips and talk about why a wood boiler can be a better choice over other heating systems.

Keeping Your Wood Boiler in Tip-Top Shape

Burn the Right Wood

Not all firewood is created equal. Your boiler will run best on seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, or hickory. Seasoned means it’s been cut, split, and dried for at least 6-12 months. Freshly cut (green) wood has a lot of moisture, which makes it burn less efficiently and causes more creosote buildup.

Keep the Water Level in Check

Your wood boiler’s water jacket is what transfers heat into the home. If the water level gets too low, you’re asking for trouble. Check it regularly, especially during the heating season, and top it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Clean out the Ash

A little ash is fine (it can even help insulate the fire), but too much can choke the fire and reduce airflow. Empty the ash pan regularly and dispose of the ashes safely. Be aware, though, because hot embers can hide in there for days.

Watch for Creosote

Creosote is a tar-like substance that builds up when wood doesn’t burn completely. It can clog the boiler and chimney and lead to dangerous fires. Keep the flue and boiler passages clean, and inspect them at least once a month during heavy use.

Check for Leaks

Look for signs of water leaks or steam escaping from the pipes or fittings. Small leaks can cause significant efficiency losses (and costly repairs) if ignored.

Give it an Annual Checkup

Even if you’re handy, it’s worth having a pro inspect your system once a year. They can spot worn gaskets, test safety valves, and make sure the pump and controls are in good shape.

Why Wood Boilers Beat Other Heating Systems

Alright, maintenance aside, why stick with a wood boiler instead of opting for propane, oil, or electric heat? Here’s the deal.

Lower Fuel Costs (Especially if You’ve Got Your Own Wood)

If you have access to cheap or free firewood, your heating bills will drop dramatically. Even if you buy seasoned wood, it can still cost less than other fuels, especially during price spikes for oil and gas.

Energy Independence

When you heat with wood, you’re not at the mercy of utility companies or foreign fuel markets. If you can cut and split your wood, you’ve got complete control over your fuel supply.

Eco Friendly

Burning wood releases carbon dioxide, but it’s part of the natural carbon cycle. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and you release it when you burn them. Using sustainably harvested wood and efficient burning practices make it one of the greener heating options out there.

Serious Heating Power

A well-maintained wood boiler can crank out a lot of heat, enough to warm your whole house, your domestic hot water, and even outbuildings. It’s not uncommon for people to heat a garage, workshop, or barn alongside their home.

Works During Power Outages

Being without heat in the dead of winter can make your home dangerous for vulnerable family members like elderly adults or very young children. If you’ve got a gravity-fed or battery-backup circulation pump, your wood boiler will continue to provide heat when the grid goes down, something your electric furnace can’t do.

Wood boilers are like pickup trucks: they’re rugged, dependable, and built for people who like to get things done themselves. Yes, they need a little more hands-on care than flipping a thermostat switch, but the payoff is worth it. Wood boilers give you lower heating bills, more control, and the satisfaction of heating your home with a renewable source.

Dubuque Fireplace & Patio is the premier wood boiler company in the area. We offer a wide selection of wood-burning boilers for people who want an economical heating solution. Contact us today or stop into our showroom at 925 Century Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52002.