How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout the house.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still emit a lot of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat was used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. In general models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the wood utilized. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency, but it is important to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much of the available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home and reduce your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget 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 eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are also economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. They can also be used to warm a pool or hot tub, providing a relaxing space to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved which makes them an environmentally 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and reduce their use of propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a steady supply of raw materials to perform properly.
Wood-burning heaters remain popular with some people because of their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is much superior to other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also examine your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. They can make sure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires in your home, or in other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry well-seasoned logs. You should also keep the area around the logs free of combustible and debris such as paper or plastic, to reduce fire hazards. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, and those 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 adversely affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. www.fireplacesandstove.com from a fire may travel through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to close any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your home is a great idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating up and creating a cozy, warm ambience in your home. But like any appliance that is used regularly, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.
Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves and a brush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to dispose of the ash in a metal container than in a regular trash can, which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other substances. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed into the can.
Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled on a regular basis dependent on the kind of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If you are concerned about smoke you should think about having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues caused by inhaling a lot smoke from wood.