How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular choice for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a general rule, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by several factors. One of them is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies, but it is important to look for the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat generated by the wood is delivered to your home.
Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to ensure 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 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 home. The heated water in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB is an effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can grow and replace those that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools that are ideal for relaxing in the winter months. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function.
However, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is superior to other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires could contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory problems. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire 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 is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help avoid fires from your home or other structures on your property.
wood burners near me is essential to use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, and those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect their unborn child.
Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can blow through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate eyes and noses. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are ideal to heat your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm and cozy environment. Like any appliance is used regularly they require some care to keep them running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire is extinguished and that all electrical power to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. These should include newspaper 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 will be produced. This residue should be cleaned frequently to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort to clean.
It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is best to empty the ash into a metal Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes inside the containers.
Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be a challenge for DIYers, and is a task which is best left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.