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I installed a HeatSource 1 unit (built in Nebraska) for radiant floor heat and domestic hot water in a new 6000 sq ft building. Began operating it last summer for hot water. During the summer, loaded it only every other day. Now with nights down in the 30s, its once a day. Since I'm surrounded by woods with dead fall, its a low cost way to go. I picked the HeatSource 1 mainly because it has a stainless steel water jacket. Several people here in West Virginia have told me they have had corrosion problems with mild steel units. From what I see, I would strongly suggest the following: 1. Insulate the underground pipe from the furnace to the house. A company called Insulseal (Minnesota I think) makes R20 insulated 4" PVC that will hold 2 one-inch pipes. This stuff is expensive (I paid about $5.50/ft) but it will save lots of wood and labor. 2. Get a unit with a big blower to control the burn and insure quick, complete combustion of any kind of wood. Now that I've run one, I don't think a "natural draft" unit would handle the variety of stuff I burn. 3. A unit with a way to take ashes out the bottom is very handy so you can maintain a good bed of coals even when you're cleaning out the ashes. In short, I'm very happy I went with this setup. Bob
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