How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

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

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are utilized with dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still generate a lot of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular option to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. In general models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a further aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to check the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.

It is also crucial to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and wood burner to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.

Unlike indoor wood burner stove stoves that are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy costs. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is efficient and maintain it properly. Be sure to burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace those that were used to heat. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants and then transform it back into oxygen for us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutants.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. They are extremely cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an environmentally friendly option 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.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to function.

Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand among some people because of their low price and eco-friendly. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is superior to other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove can pose a major risk of fire. Smoke from fires could contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which could cause asthma and respiratory issues. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and wood burner clothing. For these reasons, it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which can keep fires from forming in your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to only use dry well-seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also recommended that newly born and expectant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood because it could negatively affect their babies.

Using an OWB can be a source of trouble for neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds, smoke from a fire can blow through open windows. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. It is a good idea to shut any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the fire.

It's also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your home and test them frequently. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once per year. For help with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great to heat your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. But like any appliance that you use regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.

You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. Cleaning the exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire is completely extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is turned off. You should also make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you start cleaning - these should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned frequently to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps prevent the build-up of a substance which can damage the inner layer of the steel within the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.

It is also necessary to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into a steel ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes inside them.

Based on the type and amount of heat being drawn from your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke you should think about getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health problems caused by smoking a lot of wood smoke.