How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.

When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they are an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they do produce a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice for heating homes for a long time. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are many factors that impact the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollutants.

Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to check the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.

In contrast to indoor stoves that are installed directly within your home, an OWB is installed between 100 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 an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and 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 are able to grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollutant.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. These units are very economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can also be used to warm a pool or hot tub, providing a relaxing place to unwind in the winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved which makes them a green 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 isn't seasoned, it will release more smoke, which can irritate those with sensitive respiratory systems.

Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the ground or air and can be used to heat buildings and reduce the need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as green, but they require a steady supply of raw materials in order to perform efficiently.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some because of their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out the best models that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained the wood burning stove can pose a major risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health problems, sheds including asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. This is why it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.

It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This can keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new and expectant mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.

Using an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and the wind, smoke from a fire could be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also irritate nose and eyes. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere within your home. However, like any appliance is used regularly they require some care to ensure they run smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you do any cleaning, make sure that the fire is gone and all electrical power to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home as well as safety gloves and a toothbrush.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to stop the build-up of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean.

You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is best to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the ashes that are hot in them.

Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled regularly, depending on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If you notice smoke you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a task that can be difficult for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that should be left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.