How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have a short smokestack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. In old wood burning stove , models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants.
Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiencies, but it is important to check the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.
In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and prevent clogging.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your home or office, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that uses 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 maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will be planted to replace the ones that were used to heat. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants and then transform the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutants.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil place to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved which makes 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 ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials to work properly.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people because of their low price and environmental stewardship. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than the majority of other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating safely and is in compliance with local safety regulations, which can keep fires from forming in your home or any other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry, seasoned logs. It is also important to ensure that the area around logs clear of debris and combustible materials, such as plastic or paper, to reduce the danger of fire. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.
Using an OWB may also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Based on the weather and winds smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your home is an excellent idea. Check them frequently. You should also 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 smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm ambience inside your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best enjoyment from it. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is shut off. It is also important to gather your supplies prior to beginning cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house), safety gloves, a toothbrush and an incredibly small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. They may explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow regularly, depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the weather conditions. If smoke is an issue, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is a task that should be done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.