How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They resemble small wood burner sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are utilized with dry wood, they are an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they do produce an enormous amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is an affordable alternative for many. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

There are several factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.

Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to check the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.

In the end, it is essential to ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent 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 within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into 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 can be an extremely effective way to heat your home and save money on energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace those burned for warmth. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutant.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect to relax in winter. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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.

Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to function.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to their low price and environmental friendliness. Many of the best models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment should consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the best models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood-burning stove can pose a major danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. Therefore, it is 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 or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it meets local safety regulations, which will help to prevent fires from occurring within your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to use only dry well-seasoned logs. You should also keep the area around the logs clear of any debris and combustible substances such as plastic or paper, to avoid fire hazards. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is dangerous to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.

Using an OWB could also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows that are close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house is also an excellent idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy ambience in your home. However, like any appliance is used regularly they need some attention to ensure they run smoothly.

You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, sheds interior, and pipe is a must. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves, and a brush.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.

You will need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other items. They could ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed into the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis dependent on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a task that can be difficult for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that should be done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.