How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with a short smokestack. They heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still generate plenty 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 cost-effective alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One factor 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 months and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to look at the delivered efficiency. This is a measure 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 effectiveness. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed via a network of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your house and save you money on your energy bills. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid creating pollution and causing damage to your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees and then transform it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, homes 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 pool, which are great for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are an environmentally friendly 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. best woodburners 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 and allows it to heat buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function properly.
However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some because of its low cost and green credentials. Many of the best models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is much better than most other heating options. People who are concerned about the environment need to speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires in your home, or in other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect their unborn child.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows 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 each bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. It is also recommended to develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. 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 called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere in your home. However, like any appliance you use regularly, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.
You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner , it produces creosote that must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel 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 container of your wood stove every week. It is best to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage container that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes inside the containers.
Depending on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air depending on the weather, you may have to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to think about 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 left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.