How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze that is then circulated throughout your home.
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 to heat homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants.
Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy costs. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. Be sure to burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can grow and replace those burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees, which then 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 utilized for heating homes, garages sheds, and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate 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 winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved which makes them a green option 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need for natural gas, propane or oil. 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 effectively.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low cost and green credentials. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than many other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood-burning stove can be a significant danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that can cause health issues, including asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home, or in other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to use only dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their babies.
Using an OWB can also be a nuisance for neighbors. Based on the weather and winds, smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once a year. For woodburning stove with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a warm, cozy space inside your home. Like any appliance that you regularly use it needs some attention to ensure it is running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. The most basic requirements for cleaning 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. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a brush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.
You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other substances. These could explode or ignite when the
