How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home.
When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is a cost-effective alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. In general, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by several factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a whole year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is a different factor. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to check the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.
In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent clogging and reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves that are located within your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home, and it can help you save money on your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most out of it. Remember that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace those that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollutants.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are also economical as they remove the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved which makes them an environmentally friendly alternative for heating your home.
However, a wood stove is not without its drawbacks. old wood burning stove 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump that extracts heat from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as green, but they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform efficiently.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular among some people due to their low cost and environmental stewardship. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is more than the majority of other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the best models, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can be a significant risk of fire. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. Therefore, it is important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which can help keep fires from forming in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. Also, keep the area around the logs free of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, in order to avoid fire hazards. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke is able to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expecting mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.
Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance for neighbors. Depending on the weather and wind, smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also irritate nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house, and to test them regularly. It is also recommended to develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the very least once a month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy, warm ambience inside your home. Like any appliance you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly.
You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, be sure that the fire has been completely extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves, and a brush.
Every time you burn 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 as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.
You will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a steel Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage container that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes inside the containers.
Depending on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions, you may need to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a concern you should consider getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.