The Rural Voice, 2000-10, Page 50■
r1
RENT IT
SKIDSTEER LOADERS
Various models • equipment
options include:
• backhoe
• hydraulic breaker
• sweeper
• 12" & 24" posthole digger
• 9" wood chippers
Hourly or Daily Rates
Full line of construction equipment
for sale or rent
Dealer for
STIHL Saws
SAUGEEN RENTALS
Durham 369-3082
A.C. SCHENK RENTALS
Mt. Forest 323-3591
LESLIE HAWKEN
& SON
Custom Manufacturing
LIVESTOCK & FARM EQUIPMENT
• Calf Creeps
• Cattle Panels
• Headgates & Chutes
• Portable Loading Chutes
• Gate -Mounted Grain Feeders
Self Standing Yard Dividers
:Itipmear
Round Bale Feeder
For the best quality and service — Call
Jim Hawken
Rural Route Three
!llarkdale 519-986-2507
46 THE RURAL VOICE
AgriTech
Research alternative heating systems
By Janice Becker
The leaves are turning and there is
definitely a cool breeze in the air, not
that there hasn't been for most of the
summer. It is time to get those home
heating systems cleaned, maintained
and ready for the tomingseason.
However, with the rising cost of
oil regularly men-
tioned on the night-
ly news, many
homeowners may
be considering
some of the alterna-
tives to keep the
nest cosy this win-
ter.
While searching
the internet, I discovered a couple ot
sites which focus on an option which
is beginning to make inroads in
Canada — the outdoor wood furnace.
Vastly different from what is tradi-
tionally considered a home heating
source, the furnace can situated up to
several hundred feet from the house.
The piped hot water can run to an
existing furnace retrofitted with a
heat exchanger, enabling hot air to be
pumped through existing ductwork.
The hot water can also be piped
past the hot water tank, thereby help-
ing to maintain the temperature and
reduce electric/gas heating costs. The
water is not intermixed.
Carman Bernard, North Huron dis-
tributor of the Central Boiler system,
says the hot water can also be used
for a radiant floor heating system in
new construction.
Bernard points out several advan-
tages ot the outdoor furnace. Aside
from the fact that the smoke, dirt,
dust and ashes are kept out of the
house, so is the fire.
Another advantage to this type of
furnace is the adaptability for other
uses. Depending on the size pur-
chased, homeowners can heat work-
shops, shed, pools and spas.
The Central Boiler site, at
www.centralboiler.com, is a very
good location for finding detailed
information about the equipment.
Aside from promoting the benefits
of the furnace, graphics describe how
they work and various options in size
and accessories available.
Customer testimonials, including
Participate
in outdoor
furnace
debate
Canadian ones, can be read regarding
the Greenbush, Minnesota company.
Brochures and tech support can be
obtained on-line.
Though not nearly as detailed,
material on outdoor furnaces can be
acquired through Taylor Manufac-
turing Inc. of Elizabethtown, North
Carolina, www.taylormfg.com.
Called the Outside Woodfired
Waterstove, the Taylor company
boasts high efficiency, economy and
cleanliness.
However, while looking for other
alternative renewable heating options,
I came across a site which had a very
different opinion on the benefits of
outdoor furnaces.
By clicking into www.woodheat.
org, an apparently non-commercial
site, surfers can see a contradictory
side to the debate and offer input on
the subject.
While this Canadian site promotes
the use of wood as a renewable heat-
ing fuel, the focus is on conventional
wood stoves, fireplaces and indoor
furnaces.
For those considering adding or
modifying a wood -burning heat
source, the site provides good infor-
mation and suggestions for the most
appropriate option.
Pellet stoves, which have faded
from public awareness in recent
years, are offered as a choice with the
advantages of convenience and auto-
matic operation. The downside is a
higher cost both with the purchase of
the stove and the cost of fuel and
hydro.
To check out other new technolo-
gies in residential and commercial
heating, www.webdirectory.com/
Science/Energy/A l ternati ve_Energy
covers issues such as biomass, wind,
solar, and geothermal.
There are numerous connections to
agencies and organizations which
study and promote the use of alter-
nate sources of energy.
If anyone would like to speak out
about alternate energy sources and
the latest technologies, contact me at
becker@wcl.on.ca to share them with
other readers.0
Janice Becker is a computer enthusi-
ast and journalist living near Walton,
ON.