How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout the house.

When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still produce plenty of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable option for many people. However not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are many factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One is the quality of the wood used. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to also look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood gets to your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned every week during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and prevent clogging.

Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are installed directly inside your home, an OWB is installed between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB is an efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. Remember that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to avoid creating pollution and Woodburner Stove causing damage to your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will sprout to replace the ones that were used to heat. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. 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 also economical as they remove the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal for relaxing in the winter months. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making 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.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which draws heat from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as green, but they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform effectively.

Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low price and environmental stewardship. The top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far better than most other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally green models.

Safety

If not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove could pose a serious risk of fire. Smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can help keep fires from forming in your home or any other structures on your property.

It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood burning stoves in an OWB. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials, such as plastic or paper. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.

Although wood smoke is able to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that new and expectant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.

Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or the wind. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.

It is recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home and test them regularly. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once per year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a warm, cozy ambience inside your home. As with any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.

Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best use out of it. Cleaning your wood Woodburner stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Make sure to shut off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you start cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a brush, and Woodburner Stove a small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

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

You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to empty the ash into a metal container than in a regular trash can, which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other items. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put in the container.

Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions depending on the weather, you may have to manage smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a challenging task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from breathing in a lot of wood smoke.