How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They heat water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your home.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option to heat homes for centuries. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a cost-effective alternative for many. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same effectiveness. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to look for the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much of the available heat from the wood reaches the home.
It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which sit directly within your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient method of heating your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and properly maintained. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a source of renewable energy, meaning that new trees will grow to replace the ones that were used to heat. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it burns but it is absorbed by other trees and plants that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. They are cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great to relax in winter months. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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 an alternative to wood furnaces. wood stove burning draw thermal energy from the air or ground which allows them to heat buildings and reduce their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is far superior to other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained, a wood-burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. Therefore, it is important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and is in compliance with local safety regulations, which can stop fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as plastic or paper. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact their unborn child.
Using an OWB can be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are not closed according to the weather or wind. It can also irritate eyes and noses. It is recommended to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. As with any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely gone and all electrical power to the wood stove is off. You should also make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you start cleaning - these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel, as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue that needs to be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed to clean.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is more efficient to empty the ash into metal containers rather than the regular trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other substances. These could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the can.
Depending on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to consider having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health problems that could result from breathing in a lot of wood smoke.