How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive option for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and releases less pollutants.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is typical for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the efficiency of the product. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
Finally, it is important to ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is a very efficient method of heating your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. Be sure to choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will grow to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are extremely cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs or pools as well as provide a tranquil place to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved and are an environmentally friendly option 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease the need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand for some due to their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than many other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco green models.
Safety
A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained properly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health issues, including asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate carpets, furniture and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct 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 regulations, which can help stop fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. wood burning stove outdoor should also keep the area around the logs free of debris and combustible materials like paper or plastic, to reduce the risk of fire. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
While wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.
Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate eyes and noses. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the fire.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere within your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use they need some attention to keep them running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to prevent the accumulation of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like 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 dispose of the ash in metal containers rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other materials. They may spark or explode if the hot ashes are placed into the can.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that isn't easy for DIYers and is a task which is best left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.