How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze that is then circulated throughout your home.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for a long time. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are a variety of elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them 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, and best for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's crucial to look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are located in your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is 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 OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it properly. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will grow to replace the ones that were used to heat. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, homes and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in the wintertime. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly choice for heating your home.
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 ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to function.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of their low price and environmental stewardship. The top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.
Safety
A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained properly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which could cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also contaminate carpets, furniture and clothing. Because of this, it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This will help to prevent fires in your home or other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry, seasoned logs. It is also important to ensure that the area around logs clear of combustible and debris, such as paper or plastic, to avoid the danger of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it could negatively affect their unborn child.
Using an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and the wind smoke from a fire can fly through 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.
It's recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and do it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere inside your home. Like all appliances that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a brush.
Fireplaces And Stove burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to stop the build-up of a substance which can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.
It is also necessary to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is best to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash, and other materials that could ignite and explode if you place the ashes that are hot in the containers.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to consider having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers and is likely to be a task that should be left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.