How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They 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 still produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat was used to heat homes. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective option for many people. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many factors that impact the energy efficiency of 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 ideally for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to check the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are installed directly inside your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home and reduce your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Don't forget 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 a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will grow and replace those that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing place to relax in winter. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the need for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to operate.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some due to their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than many other heating options. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory problems. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Therefore, it is important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as plastic or paper. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood because it could negatively affect their unborn babies.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause trouble 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 noses and eyes. Close any doors or windows close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.
It's recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your house, and to test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy 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 damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a warm, cozy ambience inside your home. However, like any appliance is used regularly they require some care to ensure they run smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best enjoyment from it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electricity to the wood stove is shut off. Before very small wood burning stove begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to maintain an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to stop the accumulation of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort needed to clean.
You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is better to dispose of the ash in a metal container than in the standard trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other materials. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put in the can.
Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled on a regular basis depending on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If you notice smoke it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a task that isn't easy for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that should be left to the professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.