How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have a short smokestack. They are heated by water, or a combination of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are utilized with dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still produce plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat was used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable option for many people. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The boiler's rate of combustion is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's crucial to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also essential to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. log burning stoves for sale fireplacesandstove should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and prevent clogging.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB is an efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Be sure to select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. And don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutant.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating homes, garages sheds, and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, providing a relaxing place to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified, making them 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 air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and lessen 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 continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform efficiently.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. Therefore, it is important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This will help to prevent fires from occurring within your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry, seasoned logs. Also, keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials like plastic or paper, to avoid the risk of fire. Never burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expectant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can adversely affect their babies.
Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds, smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to noses and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the fire.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere inside your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use they need some attention to ensure that they are running smoothly.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the most use out of it. Regularly cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you begin any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is off. You should also make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you start cleaning. This should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a brush and 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 releases creosote residue that needs to be regularly cleaned to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean.
You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage container that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes in them.
Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled regularly, depending on the kind of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to consider having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a task that isn't easy for the do-it-yourselfer and is probably a job that is better left to professionals to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.