How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are made of dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. 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 utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different factor. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered 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 flue vent regularly. The flue vent should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke produced 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 to 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on your energy bills. Make sure you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to make the most of it. Don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from polluting the environment and damaging 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 which means that new trees will be planted to replace those that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating homes, garages sheds and other structures. They are also economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved, making them an eco-friendly alternative for heating your home.
However, very small wood burning 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 air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people because of their low price and environmental friendliness. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco green models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, when not maintained and installed properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire could be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. Therefore, it is important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
A professional should also examine your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with local safety regulations, which can help prevent fires from occurring in your home or other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the air.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, and those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could adversely affect their unborn child.
Using an OWB may also cause trouble to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or winds. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
It is also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your house and test them frequently. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy warm space within your home. As with any appliance you use regularly it needs some attention to keep it running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you start cleaning - these should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the accumulation of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Using small log burning stove as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.
You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to dispose of the ash in metal containers rather than the regular trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. They may spark or explode if the hot ashes are put into the can.
Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled on a regular basis, according to the kind of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If smoke is a problem you might want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues that could result from smoking a lot of wood smoke.