It might not look like it, but tap water can be one of the harshest things that you ever put in your wood boiler. There are a number of ways that the water that comes out of your outdoor faucet or indoor tap can negatively impact the performance and longevity of your wood boiler, but fortunately, there are solutions that can mitigate this type of damage.

Rust is the Enemy

The greatest danger posed by household water is the potential it has to introduce corrosion into your wood boiler. Specifically, the acidic ions present in water are the biggest contributors to rust forming inside an outdoor steel furnace. As this liquid sits in the cavity that exists between the burn chamber and the outer shell of your furnace, corrosion is the inevitable outcome unless the right kind of treatment is used. Ideally, the wood boiler water treatment that you select would not just scavenge corrosive oxygen left behind in your system, but it would also work to balance the PH of your water, keeping it as neutral as possible. In a perfect world, wood boiler water PH should fall within the 9.0 to 10.5 range.

Combating Scale

Another factor to consider when selecting a wood boiler water treatment is how it handles scale building up inside your boiler. Scale is the product of the minerals found in the water contained within the boiler being left behind as the fluid evaporates. Magnesium, calcium, chlorides and sulfates can all leave deposits inside your boiler - deposits which not only encourage corrosion, but which also pose the risk of clogging up the unit's plumbing. "Softening" the water inside your boiler using a water treatment product can serve as an adequate way of combating high mineral content, especially for those who are drawing from a well instead of a municipal water supply. Even if your water has been "pre-softened" by an in-house unit, you will still want to take the extra step of using the correct wood boiler water treatment for maximum protection.

Know the Facts, Make the Right Choice

It's important to be aware of the composition of the water inside your boiler and the materials used in the fabrication of the boiler itself when choosing a water treatment. By knowing the concentration of minerals in your tap water, as well as the exact type of steel that your wood boiler is constructed out of, you will be able to find a water treatment that is a perfect match for inhibiting rust and lowering the risk of scale buildup. Having an analysis of your water supply performed by either your town's utility or a private firm – or performing your own analysis with a wood boiler water treatment test kit - will allow you to select the right water treatment and extend the life of your boiler by many years.