How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat was used to heat homes. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. However not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by several factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns better and releases less pollutants.
Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to look for the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.
It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and avoid clogging.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. And outdoor wood stove Fireplaces & Stove forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing space to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPAand 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low price and green credentials. The top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the most effective models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, can be a fire hazard. Smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory problems. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. Therefore, it is important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.
A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to use only dry, seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, like paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect their unborn child.
Utilizing an OWB may also cause trouble to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also irritate the 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 home is an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once per year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like all appliances you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Make sure you turn off the electricity and fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned frequently to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the accumulation of a substance that could corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort for cleaning.
You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that can ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside the containers.
Depending on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular basis. If you are concerned about smoke you should think about getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers, and is probably a job which is best done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.