How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around 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 generate an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for a lot of. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One is the quality of the wood used. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and ideally for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
The boiler's rate of combustion is a different factor. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to look for the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then run through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home and save you money on your energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees and then transform the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, which are great for relaxing in the wintertime. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are a green option for home heating.
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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which extracts thermal energy from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the need for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform their job.
However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally green models.
Safety
A wood burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This can prevent fires from occurring within your home or other buildings on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. It is also important to ensure that the area around logs clear of combustible and debris, such as plastic or paper, in order to avoid the danger of fire. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could negatively affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can blow through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is recommended to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the flame.
It is also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test 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 blaze and smoke restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners , or OWBs are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Like all appliances that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you do any cleaning, be sure that the fire is out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue must be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to stop the build-up of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote remover like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.
You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.
Depending on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers, and is probably a job which is best left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.