How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small woodburners sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood burning stoves near me has been used to heat homes. With fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by several factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.

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

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed in your home or office, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and can reduce your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it properly. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to grow and replace those burning for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollutants.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools that are ideal to relax in winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, that extracts heat from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function.

However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. The top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is higher than the majority of other heating options. Those who are concerned about the environment need to speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning stoves small burners to find out about the most effective models available that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed properly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. For these reasons, it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to only use dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible material, such as plastic or paper. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Wood smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to teenagers, children and older adults as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that new and expecting mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.

Using an OWB may also cause trouble to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may be blown through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. 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 fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. But like any appliance that you use regularly they require some care to keep them running smoothly.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you start any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely extinguished and that all electrical power to the wood stove is turned off. It is also important to prepare your tools before you start cleaning - these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a toothbrush and an incredibly small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to maintain an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps prevent the build-up of a substance which can damage the inner layer of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.

It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it into a garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes inside them.

Depending on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions it is possible to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue you might want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a challenging task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.