How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.

When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still emit plenty of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. However, not all garden wood burner boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One factor is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere 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 common for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.

It is also crucial to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent clogging and reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

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

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Remember that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from harming the environment and your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable source, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those that were burned for warmth. When wood burning stove for sale is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollutant.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, 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 great to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an eco-friendly 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, that extracts heat from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a constant supply of raw materials to function properly.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular among some people due to their low price and eco-friendly. 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 learn about the most efficient and environmentally friendly models.

Safety

If not properly installed and maintained the wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. Smoke from fires could contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This will help to prevent fires from your home, or in other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect their unborn child.

Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to neighbors. Based on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your home is a great idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere inside your home. But like any appliance that you use regularly they require some care to ensure they run smoothly.

You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.

Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.

You will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash in metal containers rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put into the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled regularly, according to the kind of wood used, how much heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to think about having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues that may arise from breathing in a lot of wood smoke.