How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house.

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

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, Wood Log Burner heat has been used to heat homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for a lot of. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a 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 firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

The boiler's rate of combustion is a different aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to look for the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.

In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.

In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is circulated through a system 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 home and save money on your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Be sure to burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will grow to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood burning stove small does not produce any other environmental pollutants.

Wood furnaces can be used for heating homes, garages sheds and other structures. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools that are ideal for relaxing in the winter. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are an environmentally friendly 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.

Electric heat pumps are a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the ground or air and can be used to heat buildings and decrease the need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.

However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than many other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally friendly models.

Safety

A wood-burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could create a significant fire risk. 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 furniture, clothing and furniture. Therefore, it is important to get a professional to install your wood stove.

A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires in your home or any other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs. Also, ensure that the area around logs clear of any debris and combustible substances like plastic or paper, to reduce fire hazards. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke poses danger to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.

Using an OWB could also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are open depending on the weather or winds. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close any windows or doors close to the stove, and keep pets away from the stove.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your home is a great idea. Test them regularly. It is also recommended to make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at very least once a month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a cozy warm atmosphere inside your home. Like all appliances that you regularly use it needs some attention to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best enjoyment from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the electricity and fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves, and a brush.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps prevent the accumulation of a substance that could damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.

You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is more efficient to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than a regular trash can, which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.

Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled on a regular basis, according to the kind of wood used, how much heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to consider having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers and is a task that is better left to the professionals to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.