How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They heat water, or a combination of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout the house.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are used with dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they do produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice to heat homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is a cost-effective choice for a lot of people. However, not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are several factors that impact the energy efficiency of an OWB. One is the quality of the wood that is used. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however, it is vital to look for the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.
small wood burner is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned every week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent the clogging.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient method of heating your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and maintain it properly. Remember that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a source of renewable energy, meaning that new trees will grow to replace those that were used to heat. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to heat a pool or hot tub and provide a place to unwind in winter. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them 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 viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or the ground which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a steady supply of raw materials in order to function efficiently.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can pose a major danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that can cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate carpets, furniture 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 or wood-burning appliance regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help avoid fires in your home or other structures on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact their unborn child.
Using an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are open according to the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from the stove.
It is recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in each bedroom of your home and test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are great for heating your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like any appliance that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Be sure to turn off the electricity and fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that must be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean.
You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other materials. They could ignite or explode when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat attracted from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions it is possible to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a concern you should consider having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers and is a task that is better done by experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.