How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through 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 an enormous amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

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

There are many factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet, cost green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency, but it is important to determine the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.

It is also crucial to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and avoid the clogging.

In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is circulated through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and save you money on your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to make the most of it. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools as well as provide a tranquil place to unwind in winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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 decrease the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as green, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform effectively.

Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. The top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is much better than most other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco green models.

Safety

A wood-burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also contaminate carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. This is why it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also check your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent fires in your home, or in other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry well-seasoned logs. Also, ensure that the area around the logs free of any debris and combustible substances like plastic or paper, to minimize the risk of fire. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

While wood burner for shed smoke is able to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect their unborn baby.

Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to shut any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to create a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

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

Maintaining your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best woodburners use from it. Cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire is extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is off. It is also important to 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.

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

You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it into a garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.

Based on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, and the conditions in the air, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers, and is probably a job that should be done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.