How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze that is then circulated throughout your home.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are utilized with dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still emit lots of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat has been used to warm homes. With fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is a cost-effective option for many people. However not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by several factors. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is another aspect. This is the amount of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to also look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. 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.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy costs. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most out of it. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable source, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those that were used to heat. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for costly energy bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs or pools as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and reduce 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.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. contemporary wood burning stoves of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far superior to other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory problems. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. This is why it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They can make sure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires in your home or any other buildings on your property.
It is important to only make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To minimize the risk of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke is able to harm everyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are open according to the weather or wind. It can also cause irritation to noses and eyes. 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 house and test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal for heating your home with an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, like any appliance is used regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. 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 turned off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves, and a brush.
Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required to clean.
You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner each week. It is best to empty the ash into a steel 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 when you put the ashes that are hot in the containers.
Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow on a regular basis dependent on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers and is probably a job that should be left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.