How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are used with dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still generate lots 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 a reasonable alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. In general, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

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

The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to look for the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much available heat from the multi fuel wood burner reaches the home.

It is also important to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.

In contrast to indoor wood burner stove stoves that are installed directly within your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. And don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing place to relax during the winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved, making 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.

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

Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some because of their low price and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than the majority of other heating options. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the most effective models available that are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove, when not maintained and installed properly, could be a fire hazard. Smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets, furniture and clothing. Therefore, it is important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

A professional should also examine your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney on a regular schedule. They will ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and is in compliance with local safety regulations, which will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property.

It is essential to make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. Also, ensure that the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris like plastic or paper, to reduce the danger of fire. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is dangerous to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those with heart or Wood burners respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their babies.

Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are open according to the weather or winds. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.

It is also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your house and test them regularly. You should also 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 blaze and smoke restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating up and creating a cozy warm space in your home. However, like any appliance you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly.

You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a brush.

Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed for the cleaning process.

You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is more efficient to dispose of the ash in a metal container than in the standard trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other substances. They could ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed in the container.

Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled regularly, depending on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is an issue, you may want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is a task which is best left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.