How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce a lot of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

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

Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to determine the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.

Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your home or office, 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 then distributed throughout your home by a system that uses heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. Make sure you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to make the most of it. And don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from polluting the environment and damaging your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutant.

Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat a pool or hot tub and provide a place to unwind in the winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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.

An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.

Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand among some people due to their low cost and environmental stewardship. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than the majority of other heating options. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most effective models available that are efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed properly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Therefore, it is important to get a professional to install your wood stove.

It is recommended to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This can help stop fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.

It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. It is also important to ensure that the area around logs clear of combustible and debris such as plastic or paper, in order to minimize the danger of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.

Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Based on the weather and wind, smoke from a fire could be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. Close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and Wood Burning Stove keep pets away from it.

It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home and test them frequently. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating up and creating a cozy, warm space inside your home. As with any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood burning stove wood stove when you maintain it regularly. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. You should also prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning. This should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house) safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a chemical that can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean.

You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood stove every week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.

Depending on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove wood burning cleaned frequently. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues that could result from smoking a lot of smoke from the wood stove.