How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.
When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm 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 rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollutants.
The boiler's combustion rate is a further factor. This is the percentage of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to also look at the delivered efficiency. 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 ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your home or office, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB is an efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. Don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to avoid 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 will grow to replace those that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutants.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great to relax in winter months. A majority 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.
Electric heat pumps are a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the ground or air 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 constant supply of raw materials to function.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular among some people because of their low price and environmental stewardship. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to learn about 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 properly, can pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, including asthma and diminished lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. For these reasons, it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.
A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which can help prevent fires from occurring within your home or other buildings on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. You should also keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials such as plastic or paper, to avoid the risk of fire. Never burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a nuisance for neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and the wind smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.
It's also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a cozy warm ambience inside your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use they need some attention to ensure they run smoothly.
Maintaining Modern wood burning stoves will ensure that you get the best use out of it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the items you require. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves, and a brush.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to stop the accumulation of a substance which can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
It is also necessary to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other substances. They could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed into the can.
Based on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air it is possible to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue you might want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be difficult for DIYers and is a task which is best left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.