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EPA Burn Wise Program <br />Hydronic heater basics <br />Hydronic heaters, or outdoor wood boilers, are typically located outside in small <br />sheds with short smokestacks. They burn wood, which heats either water or water - <br />antifreeze, which sends the heat and hot water through pipes into nearby buildings, <br />such as homes, barns and greenhouses. However, hydronic heaters may be located <br />indoors and may use other biomass for fuel, such as corn or wood pellets. <br />Water Jacket <br />(surrounds Fire Box) <br />Hot Water <br />Fire Box <br />Insulation <br />(strrasxnds Water Jacket) Cooled Water <br />.(Circulated to and <br />from hornet <br />0 <br />(recycled back to furnace) <br />1 kU, <br />Forced Air Furnace <br />(radiant floor, radiant baseboard or <br />existing boiler may also be used for <br />internal heat distribution) <br />Source: Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) <br />Although most units are designed to burn dry, seasoned wood, some people use them <br />to burn green wood, which generates much more smoke and is less efficient. Other <br />people burn household trash or treated wood, which not only release harmful <br />chemicals and pollution, but is against federal law. <br />Unqualified or uncertified hydronic heaters can be substantially dirtier and less <br />efficient than most other home heating technologies. With their smoldering fires and <br />short smokestacks (usually no more than six to ten feet tall), hydronic heaters can <br />create heavy smoke and release it close to the ground, where it can linger and expose <br />people to nuisance conditions and health risks. EPA -certified models are the cleanest <br />models available. <br />