How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have a short smokestack. They heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for a lot of. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are several factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. wood burning stoves is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much of the available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly inside your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and can reduce your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. Don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to stop it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to grow and replace the ones that were that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutant.
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. They can be used to heat hot tubs or pools and provide a place to relax in winter. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved, making them an environmentally friendly 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 which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to their low price and environmental stewardship. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment need to consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to find out the best models available that are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health problems, including asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. Therefore, it is important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.
A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can keep fires from forming in your home or other buildings on your property.
It is essential to make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as plastic or paper. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.
It is recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves, and a brush.
When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.
It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that can ignite and explode when you place the ashes that are hot in the containers.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air it is possible to control smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke you should think about getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from wood.