How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout the house.
When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are utilized with dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still generate a lot of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is an affordable option for many people. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same efficiency. As a general rule, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are a variety of factors that impact the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood that is used. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different aspect. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to look at the delivered efficiency. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy costs. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. And don't forget 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 an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating homes, garages sheds and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs and pools and provide a place to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them a green alternative 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which draws heat from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than many other heating options. People who are concerned about the environment should talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that can cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. Because of this, it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.
It is also a good idea 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 meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home, or in other buildings on your property.
It is essential to make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as these can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults, as well as people suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.
Using an OWB could also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Based on the weather and winds smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. You should also have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy environment. Like all appliances you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the most use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves, and a brush.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. wood burning stove small should be cleaned regularly to maintain optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Using a creosote remover such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.
You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood stove every week. It is best to empty the ash into an iron container for ash instead of throwing it into a garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other materials that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes inside the containers.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat attracted from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is likely to be a task which is best left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.