How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

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

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are used with dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable alternative for many. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same effectiveness. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are several factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood that is used. It is important to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.

Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however it is crucial to look for the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke produced by the Stove Wood Burning and to prevent clogging.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is efficient and properly maintained. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to stop it from harming the environment and your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will sprout to replace the ones which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. They are cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved and are an eco-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.

An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials to function efficiently.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some because of their low price and eco-friendly. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is better than most other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.

Safety

A wood-burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained correctly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.

It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which will help to prevent fires from occurring in your home or any other buildings on your property.

It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around logs free of debris and combustible materials, such as paper or plastic, to minimize fire hazards. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is dangerous to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could adversely affect the unborn baby.

Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may be blown through windows that are open depending on the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the flame.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at very least once a month. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm ambience in your home. Like any appliance that you regularly use it needs some attention to ensure that it runs smoothly.

You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you start any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely gone and all electricity connected to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a brush.

Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean.

You will need to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is best to empty the ash into a steel container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other materials that could ignite and explode when you place the ashes that are hot in the containers.

Based on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air it is possible to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This isn't an easy task for anyone who wants to do it themselves. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from breathing in a lot of smoke from the wood stove.