Strawbale Farms Blog Posts

9 Benefits of Using an Outdoor Wood Furnace

When it comes to heating your home, there are several options available, ranging from traditional furnaces to electric heating systems. However, one heating solution that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the outdoor wood furnace in Minnesota. At Strawbale Farms, our experience with wood furnaces (also known as boilers) has allowed us to outline 9 of the biggest benefits of utilizing one.

outdoor wood furnace in use next to wood storage

1. Cost-Effective Heating

One of the most significant advantages of outdoor wood furnaces is their cost-effectiveness. Heating with wood is often more affordable than using electricity, natural gas or heating oil. Wood is a renewable resource, and if you have access to free or inexpensive firewood, your heating costs can be significantly reduced.

2. Energy Independence

Using an outdoor wood boiler provides a level of energy independence. You’re not reliant on utility companies or fluctuating fuel prices. Instead, you have control over your fuel source, allowing you to manage your heating costs more effectively.

3. Environmentally Friendly

Compared to fossil fuels, wood is a relatively clean-burning energy source. When burned efficiently, wood produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, since trees can be replanted, wood is considered a renewable and sustainable resource.

4. High Efficiency

Modern outdoor wood furnaces are designed for high efficiency. They often feature advanced combustion technology and insulation, ensuring that a significant portion of the energy from the wood is converted into heat for your home.

5. Versatility

Outdoor wood boilers are versatile heating systems. They can be used to heat not only your home but also other structures like garages, workshops, and even hot tubs or pools. Some models can even provide hot water for domestic use.

6. Reduced Indoor Air Pollution

By locating the combustion process outdoors, outdoor wood furnaces minimize indoor air pollution and eliminate the need for a chimney inside your home. This can lead to improved indoor air quality and a healthier living environment.

7. Longevity

Well-maintained outdoor wood boilers can last for decades. Their sturdy construction and simple design make them durable heating solutions that can provide reliable warmth for years.

8. Backup Heating

Outdoor wood furnaces can serve as excellent backup heating systems during power outages. When the electricity goes out, you can continue to heat your home and maintain a comfortable living space.

9. Minimal Space Requirements

Outdoor wood boilers don’t take up valuable indoor space. They are installed outside your home, reducing the need for a dedicated furnace room or basement space.

Outdoor wood furnaces offer a range of benefits that make them an attractive option for home heating. From cost savings and energy independence to environmental friendliness and versatility, outdoor wood furnaces provide an efficient and sustainable way to keep your home warm and cozy during the colder months. If you’re considering a heating system upgrade, exploring the advantages of an outdoor wood furnace is certainly worth your while.

At Strawbale Farms, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about incorporating an outdoor wood furnace in Minnesota. Give us a call today at 715-214-6683 or contact us!


Solar Electricity for Energy Resiliency in Minneapolis

Every May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the 2022 theme is “Energy Resiliency” or ensuring that you are prepared in case of power outages and other electrical issues. One key component of Energy Resiliency in Minneapolis is solar electricity! Here at Strawbale Farms, we are proud to offer solar electric systems to residential, commercial and agricultural customers.

You may be wondering: how does solar electricity improve my energy resiliency? Well, let’s talk about it!

Energy Resiliency

Solar electric systems provide your home or business with a renewable energy that is not dependent on the electrical grid. You can use them to power essential devices in your home, heat water, or just cut down on your electric costs by creating your own for free!

solar electricity minneapolis

Beyond that, if you partner a solar electric system with an energy storage system, you can power your house during natural disasters that cause the grid to go offline – or you could end up creating enough energy to not have to worry about the grid ever again.

Modern society has been built around being dependent on grid-supplied energy, primarily fossil fuels. By increasing your energy resilience with solar electricity, you are not only becoming independent and protecting your house or business from going without electricity in emergencies, but you are also making a decision that is better for the environment!

Net Zero Buildings

A major concept in the theme of Energy Resiliency is a “net zero building.” Net zero buildings are buildings that produce the same amount of energy that they use, which makes the building completely independent of the electrical grid and self-sufficient!

There are many benefits to having a net zero building, but one major one is the efficiency. Net zero buildings are cost-effective in that there are no concerns about paying for fossil fuels to power your building as their costs rise. Turning your home into a net zero building also increases its property value, which is especially important if you are considering selling in this market.

Now is the perfect time to think about what you are doing to move towards energy resiliency this National Electrical Safety Month! If your goal is to incorporate solar electricity into your home or business to become more resilient, then let us know! We at Strawbale Farms are happy to answer any questions you may have about shifting to solar electricity in Minneapolis. Give us a call today at 715-214-6683 or contact us!


Biomass Heating: A Better Way to Keep Warm

Winter is almost here and many homeowners are beginning to prepare their homestead for the cold months ahead. One of the most important areas to consider is the heating. Are you happy with your home heating system? Are you at your wit’s end with expensive oil or undependable electric? If you’re looking for a better way to keep warm this winter, look no further. With biomass heating, you won’t have to worry about the high cost or low dependability of wintertime heating again! If you’re tired of high energy bills like oil, gas and heat then it’s time to consider biomass heating. Escanaba residents love this renewable way to heat their homes for the many benefits it provides. And, as the trusted name in biomass heating, the experts here at Strawbale Farms are here to tell you how it can change the way you view your heating.

biomass heating escanaba

In the last few years, market prices for oil and gas have fluctuated and the cost is always passed onto the consumer. But with biomass heating, you will always know what your heating costs will be from year to year. With biomass heating, you will be able to go off-grid and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels while also saving money. Instead of burning fossil fuels for energy, biomass heating uses organic materials like wood or pellets.

Creating biomass costs much less than non-sustainable energy sources, and is a better value than most renewable energy options as well. This positive trend towards renewables is just getting started and the potential for biomass heating continues to grow. For virtually anyone looking for straightforward, affordable heat; choosing biomass heating is virtually a no-brainer. 

Biomass heating also offers sustainable, low carbon wood fuel heating. On the contrary, coal, gas, and oil are fossil-based, non-renewable resources. Biomass is considered a carbon-neutral form of energy because the carbon dioxide released when it is burned is only that which was absorbed by the plant during its life. Wood is inexpensive, readily available, and a green, renewable fuel. It is a green solution that only benefits the environment but your wallet as well.

Ready to get started? Our state-of-the-art biomass furnaces and boilers at Strawbale Farms can reduce heating costs dramatically and get you the off-grid heat you can depend on.

Choose from log, wood pellet or wood chip boilers. Our qualified experts can help you choose the right biomass heating system for you. Give us a call today! If you would like more information about biomass heating for your Escanaba home or business, call Strawbale Farms at 715-214-6683 or Contact Us today! We would love to speak with you and help you find the right product for your needs.


Why Renewable Energy is Essential Now More than Ever

Right now, renewable energy is providing affordable electricity across the country. And, it has the ability to help stabilize energy prices in the future. Although renewable energy can require upfront investments to build, they can then operate at very low cost. That is why renewable energy is essential now more than ever. With the uncertain times we currently face, dependable energy is a must. What is more constant and dependable than the sun? That is why we offer simple and affordable, ready-to-install (RTI) solar energy systems. We want to help meet the needs of as many Minnesota/Wisconsin area residents as possible. And, as the area experts in solar electricity, we would like to tell you more about these systems and how they make alternative energy not only attainable but essential.

solar electricity

Using renewable energy as oppose to fossil fuels brings a wide variety of advantages and opportunities, ranging from environmental to socio-economic and much more. With these uncertain economical times, energy security and energy infrastructure resilience can be found in solar electricity. With solar electricity residents are no longer tied to the grid and fluctuating oil costs. 

Worried about dropping home prices? A solar electric system will increase the resale value of your property by approximately $15,000 for every 5 kW installed, and solar electric systems are not taxable on your property taxes! There is no sales tax on a solar electric system. A solar electric system will reliably generate free electricity for 40 or more years.

And, it doesn’t stop at solar electricity! Renewables can meet heating demands in buildings with solar thermal water heaters, biomass boilers and more. Here at Strawbale Farms we are here to help area homeowners find their own path to energy efficiency. With many years of experience in the renewable energy industry we know efficiency “Results” when we see it. 

It is our pleasure to offer our customers the most efficient and innovative lines of solar electric systems. Strawbale Farms has partnered with the largest solar electric company in the Midwest, Next Energy Solution. We offer solar electric systems, including grid-tied and off-grid, to our residential, commercial and agricultural customers at amazing prices.

Ready to get started with a more secure form of energy? For more information or for a free estimate on a solar electricity systems, call Dave Jacoby with Strawbale Farms at 715-214-6683 or email heatsmart@ymail.com.


Keeping Warm this Winter with Modern Biomass Heating

Looking for a better way to heat your home this winter? Over the last few years, costs for oil, propane, gas and electric have soared, leaving homeowners stretched thin each winter heating season. With biomass heating you won’t have to worry about the high cost of wintertime heating again! If you’re tired of high energy bills like oil, gas and heat then it’s time to consider biomass heating. Minnesota residents love this renewable way to heat the home for the many benefits it provides. And, as the trusted name in biomass heating, the experts here at Strawbale Farms are here to tell you more about it.

Strawbale Farms Masonry Heater Reading

Biomass energy is essentially created from any organic material that is available on a renewable basis. Biomass boilers often use wood chips and pellets as suitable fuel. These organic materials are renewable, with growth capable of new resources time and time again.

Biomass heating is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient. Biomass heating offers sustainable, low carbon wood fuel heating. On the contrary, coal, gas, and oil are fossil-based, non-renewable resources. 

And, the cost of creating biomass is also much less than non-sustainable energy sources, and is better value than most renewable energy options as well. These positive trend towards renewables is just getting started and the potential for biomass heating continues to grow. For virtually anyone looking for straightforward, affordable heat; choosing biomass heating is virtually a no-brainer.

State-of-the-art biomass furnaces and boilers from Strawbale Farms can reduce heating costs dramatically compared to all other forms of heat. Instead of burning fossil fuels for energy, biomass heating uses organic materials like wood or pellets. Biomass is considered a carbon neutral form of energy because the carbon dioxide released when it is burned is only that which was absorbed by the plant during its life. Wood is inexpensive, readily available, and a green, renewable fuel. It is a green solution that only benefits the environment but your wallet as well.

Winter won’t wait so contact the experts in biomass heating at Strawbale Farms today! Choose from log, wood pellet or wood chip boilers. Our qualified experts can help you choose the right biomass heating system for you.

So don’t hesitate any longer. Give us a call today! If you would like more information about biomass heating for your Minnesota home or business, call Strawbale Farms at 715-214-6683 or Contact Us today! We would love to speak with you and help you find the right product for your needs.


Back to Top