How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

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

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

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a cost-effective option for many people. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a rule models that make use of large wood burning stove gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality of the wood utilized. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

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

It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly inside your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is circulated through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and can help you save money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it properly. And don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to stop it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace those that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are also economical as they remove the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools which are perfect for relaxing in the winter. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are a green 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 extracts thermal energy from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials to perform effectively.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some because of their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is much 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

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can pose a major fire hazard. Smoke from fires could contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore essential to employ professionals to install your wood stove.

It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These experts can ensure that your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property.

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

Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. 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 trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home is a great idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm space within your home. Like all appliances that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

Maintaining your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is turned off. You will also want to gather your supplies before you start cleaning - these should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of 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 for the cleaning process.

You will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other materials that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes in the containers.

Based on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a job that isn't easy for DIYers, and is probably a job which is best done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.