How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small wood burning stove sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home.

When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months and ideally, outdoor for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion, but it is important to determine the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much of the available heat from the wood reaches the home.

It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a source of renewable energy, meaning that new trees will grow to replace those that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollutant.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect to relax in winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green choice 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, that extracts heat from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform their job.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. The top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is better than most other heating options. Those who are concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the most effective models available that are efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help keep fires from forming in your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry well-seasoned logs. Also, keep the area around the logs free of combustible and debris like plastic or outdoor paper, in order to minimize fire hazards. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke is able to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or wind. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also have a family escape plan in place and do it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood burning stove outdoor heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy, warm ambience in your home. However, like any appliance is used regularly, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These include newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the accumulation of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.

You will also need to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it into a garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other materials that can ignite and explode when you place the ashes that are hot in them.

Based on the type and amount of heat attracted from 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 notice smoke, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a challenging task for anyone who wants to do it themselves. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health issues caused by inhaling a lot smoke from wood.