Outdoor Furnace Pumps - Should I Keep My Pump ON All Summer?
Should I Keep My Pump ON All Summer?
If so, Why?
What Can Be Done To Extend The Life Of My Pump?
Summer Shutdown time is coming! Some customers in warmer areas have already shut down their outdoor wood furnaces. Regardless of when you do this, you may ask yourself these questions:
- Should I keep the pump on all Summer?
- What are the advantages of allowing the pump to run all Summer?
- What can I do to extend the life of my pump?
- What is the silver button on the front face of the pump and how does this help me?
Here are the answers to these important questions:
First, the answer is YES, you should keep your pump on all summer. Here's two reasons why:
1 - Pumps last a long time if they are run continuously.
2 - If you heat your domestic water with your outdoor wood boiler, your hot water heater will use less fuel if you keep the pump on. Why? Let's say the water in your outdoor wood burning boiler is 80 degrees because your boiler sits in the hot sun all summer long.
That 80-degree water is being circulated into your house and your plate heat exchanger. When you use hot water for a shower or to wash dishes, cold water is added to your hot water tank.
Most well water and city water comes out of the ground at around 52 degrees, even in the summer. Your hot water tank must heat that water from 52 degrees to 110 degrees using lots of fuel (electricity or propane or whatever). If your pump is on, the warm water in your outdoor wood stove will heat that 52-degree water to about 80 degrees FOR FREE, thus cutting your fuel cost by HALF for your hot water heater during the summer!
Please make sure your outdoor wood burner has a PROPER OUTDOOR BOILER corrosion inhibitor for the summer months. Whether the pump is on or not, you are the only one who can be responsible to protect your investment in your outdoor boiler. Read more reasons why you should use outdoor boiler water treatment HERE (including "It is like driving a car without oil!")
What is that silver button on the front of the pump face? You will see on the front of the pump (in the photo), in the CENTER, there is a round silver button that can be removed with a flat-head screwdriver. If the pump is not functioning, you can remove that button to see if the shaft of the pump is spinning.
If you are not sure, or if it is stuck, turn off the power to the pump. Then, you can insert an allen wrench into the pump shaft and turn it a few times. If it is caught on something or has some sediment buildup, the pump will not circulate - but by doing this simple repair, you can usually save the pump!
For more information contact OutdoorBoiler.com. You can also visit our online store if you need any outdoor wood boiler parts and related products!
Operating Furnace FAQs:
- Am I burning too much wood?
You may be. Is the wood properly seasoned? Have you cleared the firebox? High wood consumption can be caused by a number of factors.
- Can I leave my Outdoor Wood Burner over the weekend?
You may have someone "feed" your furnace for you or you may lower the thermostat temperature.
- What are the critical items to operate and maintain my furnace efficiently?
1. Keep water full
2. Manage ash
3. Use water treatment
4. Use seasoned wood
5. Keep fire in the middle of the firebox
6. Clean tubes regularly
- Why is outdoor boiler water treatment important?
The boiler chemical (corrosion inhibitor) that you would apply to your furnace water coats the inside of the furnace to reduce the effects of corrosion on the metal.
Click HERE to order our Liquid Armor Water Treatment and other outdoor wood furnace parts. Every gallon of Liquid Armor comes with FREE 2 sample bottles. Then submit your water sample to Outdoor Boiler Lab and get Free Water Test!
