How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small wood burner sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.

When used in conjunction with dry wood burner fireplace and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat has been used to heat homes. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a rule, models that utilize cheap wood burners gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

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

The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to consider the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood reaches your home.

In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.

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 home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient way to heat your home and save money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow proper maintenance procedures to make the most of it. Don't forget to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutant.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools as well as provide a tranquil place to relax in the winter months. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green option for home heating.

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 viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or the ground which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a steady supply of raw materials in order to perform efficiently.

However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with a few people because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must speak with a specialist in outdoor Wood Burner Fireplace wood burners to find out the most effective 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. Smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help avoid fires in your home, or in other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke is able to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also recommended that new and expectant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may adversely affect their babies.

Utilizing an OWB can also cause trouble to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or wind. It can also irritate noses and eyes. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.

It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house, and to test them frequently. It is also recommended to create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the very least once a month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy warm atmosphere in your home. Like any appliance that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you start any cleaning, be sure that the fire has been completely extinguished and that all electricity to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a toothbrush.

Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote that must be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.

You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it into a regular garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you put the ashes that are hot in the containers.

Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled on a regular basis dependent on the type of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn and atmospheric conditions. If you notice smoke it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This isn't an easy task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that may arise from inhaling a lot wood smoke.