How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are used with dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for a lot of. However not all wood boilers are created equal in terms of efficiency. As a general rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are a variety of factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and releases less pollutants.
The boiler's rate of combustion is a different factor. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained regularly. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and to prevent clogging.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your home or office, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely effective way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. And don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco 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 develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants and then transform it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools which are perfect to relax in winter months. Many 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, which draws heat from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function efficiently.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low cost and eco-friendly. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far better than most other heating options. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the most effective models available that are efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They can make sure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry, 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. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they can 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 suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that newly born and expectant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may adversely affect their babies.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Based on the weather and wind smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once a 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 and creating a cozy warm atmosphere in your home. Like any appliance that you use frequently it needs some attention to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is essential. Make sure to shut off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves and a brush.
Every time 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 stop the build-up of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.
You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron container for ash instead of throwing it into a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes in the containers.
Depending on wood burning stoves for sale near me and amount of heat being drawn from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions it is possible to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is a task which is best done by experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.