How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still emit plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable option for many people. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the wood used. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' efficiency in combustion, but it is important to determine the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home.
In the end, it is essential to ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your home and save money on energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those that were used to heat. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs or pools and provide a space to relax during the winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the ground or air, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for oil, propane, or natural gas. They are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to function.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low price and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is more than many other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from a fire could be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced 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.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This can prevent fires from occurring in your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to use only dry and seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.
Utilizing an OWB can be a nuisance for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may be blown through windows that are not closed according to the weather or winds. It can also irritate noses and eyes. Close all doors and windows close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.
wood burning stoves near me is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home, and to test them frequently. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere within your home. Like any appliance is used regularly they require some care to keep them running smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the electricity and fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you begin cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue that needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system as well as 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 for cleaning.
You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it into a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside them.
Depending on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the weather conditions, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be difficult for DIYers and is probably a job which is best left to the experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.