How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have a short smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is an affordable alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to determine the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.
Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent clogging and reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves that are installed directly within your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and can help you save money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative 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 burned for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs or pools as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified and are a green 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease their need for oil, propane, or natural gas. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is better than most other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.
Safety
A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from a fire may contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. It is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can help stop fires from happening within your home or other buildings on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. Also, keep the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris such as plastic or paper, to reduce the danger of fire. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new and expectant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.
Using an OWB can be a nuisance for neighbors. Based on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once per year. For help with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can 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 your home and creating a cozy warm ambience within your home. As with any appliance that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you do any cleaning, be sure that the fire has been completely gone and all electricity connected to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be regularly cleaned to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers 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 will need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is more efficient to empty the ash in metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other materials. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed into the can.
Based on the type and amount of heat being drawn from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be a challenge for the do-it-yourselfer and is likely to be a task which is best left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.