Keeping your home warm during the cold months is a high priority. Whether you have an indoor furnace, wood stove, or outdoor boiler, proper installation is key to your appliance’s longevity and function. Outdoor boilers are a great heating source for homeowners, but installing one can be intimidating.
What are the local building codes? What are frost lines, and why should you care about them? Will you have to dig deep to get everything accomplished? It can all be overwhelming. That’s why you should trust Ozark Stove and Chimney for all of your outdoor boiler installation needs.
What Are Outdoor Boiler Lines?
Outdoor boiler lines (also referred to as outdoor boiler piping or outdoor hydronic lines) are an important part of outdoor boiler systems. The lines carry hot water from the outdoor boiler into your home. Outdoor boiler lines are made of durable piping or tubing that are designed to endure high temperatures and resist corrosion. Outdoor boiler lines are installed below ground or placed in an insulated pipe to protect them from harsh weather and to prevent heat loss.
Types of Boiler Lines
You can use different materials for outdoor boiler lines like galvanized steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping. However, there are a few industry go-tos for installing an outdoor boiler:
Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing: PEX is the most popular material for outdoor boiler lines. It’s known for its flexibility which allows easy installation and its ability to withstand huge shifts in temperature. PEX is an ideal material for heating systems because it can stand up to temperatures as high as 200° Fahrenheit.
Copper Pipes: Copper is a more traditional material for outdoor boiler lines. Copper is still widely used because it doesn’t corrode as easily as some other materials and it doesn’t need as much labor for installation. The biggest drawback of using copper is that it expands. High temperatures from hot water will cause copper piping to soften and become weak over time.
What Is a Frost Line?
The frost line – also known as frost depth or freezing depth – is the depth to which the groundwater in soil is expected to freeze. The frost depth depends on the weather conditions in an area, the heat transfer properties of the soil, and outdoor heat sources that may be nearby. Outdoor boiler lines need to be installed beneath the frost line so that they aren’t damaged by extreme weather and freezing temperatures. Frost lines are different depending on where you live.
What is the frost line in Arkansas?
The good news is that the frost line in Arkansas isn’t too deep. The state’s average frost line is 14 inches below ground (compare that to Alaska which has a frost line of 100 inches!)
What is the frost line in Missouri?
You will need to dig a little deeper if you live in Missouri. The average frost line in Missouri is 20 inches. In the northern part of the state, the frost line is 30 inches.
What Is the Recommended Depth for Outdoor Boiler Lines?
In most cases, the recommended depth for outdoor boiler lines is 18 to 24 inches. As pointed out above, that can change based on where you live and the lines’ location on your property. If you plan to run boiler lines underneath a slab or a surface you plan to drive over, you should definitely dig deeper for better protection.
Do I Need To Hire a Professional?
You don’t need to hire a professional service to install your outdoor boiler, but you absolutely should! Why? A local company like Ozark Stove and Chimney understands town building codes and local frost line depth requirements. Both of these factors can change from town to town. That sounds like a headache, right? Let us worry about that stuff so you don’t have to.
Where Can I Find Outdoor Boiler Installation Services Near Me?
We serve Green County, Christian County, Stone County, Dallas County, Benton County, Marion County, and more. We’ve done work for residents in Springfield, Branson, Joplin, Bentonville, Rogers, Bella Vista, Fayetteville, Harrison, Ozark, Neosho, and towns nearby. If you don’t live in one of those towns, don’t worry. Give us a call and our customer service team can let you know if we come to your area.
Schedule Your Outdoor Boiler Installation Now
Going with an outdoor boiler is a great way for homeowners to save money on heating costs. It’s an efficient way to heat your home and free yourself from dealing with unpredictable utility bills.
If you’re ready to schedule an outdoor boiler installation, call us at 417-201-6585 or schedule an appointment online.