How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout the house.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive option for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are a variety of factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however, it is vital to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.
Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and to prevent the clogging.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are located within your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be an extremely effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. In wood burning stove outdoor to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollutants.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect for relaxing in wintertime. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green option for home heating.
However, a wood stove is not without its drawbacks. Wood smoke contains tiny air particles that can aggravate the symptoms of certain health conditions, such as heart and lung problems. These particles can also contribute to climate change and contaminate water supplies. It is important to use only seasoned firewood in your outdoor wood burner. If your wood isn't seasoned, it will release more smoke, which can irritate those with sensitive respiratory systems.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function effectively.
Wood-burning heaters remain popular among some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. The top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is superior to other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained the wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory problems. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These experts can ensure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home or any other buildings on your property.
It is essential to make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. You should also keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials like paper or plastic, to minimize fire hazards. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expectant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may negatively affect their babies.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Based on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your home is a great idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are ideal for heating and creating a warm, cozy ambience within your home. As with any appliance that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment from it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. These should include newspaper to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to prevent the buildup of a substance that corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed to clean.
It is also necessary to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash in metal containers rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other items. They may spark or explode if the ashes are hot when placed into the can.
Smoke from your wood stove may need to be controlled regularly, dependent on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem you might want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This isn't an easy task for anyone who wants to do it themselves. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues caused by inhaling a lot smoke from wood.