How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce substantial amounts of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a general rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are many factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

The boiler's combustion rate is another factor. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to check the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.

It is also important to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to stop 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 renewable resource which means that new trees will grow and replace the ones that were that were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees and then transform the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for 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 and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil place to unwind in winter. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved which makes them an eco-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. It is important to use only seasoned firewood in your outdoor wood burner. If your wood burning stoves for sheds 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 and allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as green, but they require a constant supply of raw materials to function properly.

However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and green credentials. The top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is better than most other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can be a significant risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. 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 conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help prevent fires in your home or other buildings on your property.

It is important to only use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. Also, keep the area around the logs free of combustible and debris such as plastic or paper, to reduce fire hazards. 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 anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect their unborn child.

Using an OWB could also cause trouble to your neighbors. Based on the weather and wind, smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.

It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house, and to test them frequently. You should also have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. For help with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire state.

Maintenance

large wood burner burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere inside your home. However, like any appliance you regularly use they require some care to ensure that they are running smoothly.

Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. It is also important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house), safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue must be cleaned frequently to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.

You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a steel Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled regularly, depending on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn in and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem, you will want to look into getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers and is probably a job which is best left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.