How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small wood burning stove uk sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home.

When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they do produce a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat was used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. However not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

There are a variety of elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.

Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.

In the end, it is essential to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly within your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned but it is absorbed by other trees and plants that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollution.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, homes and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs and pools and provide a place to unwind during the 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.

An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job.

Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand among some people due to their low price and environmental friendliness. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and environmentally green models.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can be a significant risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate carpets as well as furniture and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home or any other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry well-seasoned logs. You should also keep the area around the logs free of debris and combustible materials such as plastic or paper, to minimize the danger of fire. Never burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire may be blown through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum every month. For assistance with smoke and fire restoration services, 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 referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm cozy environment. Like any appliance that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Before you do any cleaning, make sure that the fire is gone and all electricity to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a brush.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance that could damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort required to clean.

It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage container that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes in the containers.

Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled on a regular basis, depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the conditions of the air. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to consider having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that isn't easy for DIYers and is probably a job which is best left to professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.