How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that is then circulated throughout your home.
When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are used with dry wood, they are an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still generate an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive option for many. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months; 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 creates less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to also look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.
It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and prevent the clogging.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which sit directly within your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it properly. Don't forget to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will sprout to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollutant.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. They are also economical as they remove the need for costly energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal for relaxing in winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly choice 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, that extracts heat from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement 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 constant supply of raw materials in order to perform effectively.
However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some due to its low cost and eco-friendly. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than the majority of other heating options. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
A wood burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires could contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.
cheap wood burning stoves should also inspect 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 manner. This can help prevent fires from your home, or in other buildings on your property.
It is crucial to only make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. It is also important to ensure that the area around logs free of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, in order to minimize the danger of fire. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to all, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.
Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and wind, smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close all doors and windows close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Check them frequently. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm, cozy environment. But like any appliance that is used regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.
Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the electricity and fire prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning - these should include newspapers (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.
When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance which can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort to clean.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash in metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put into the can.
Smoke from your wood stove may require a controlled airflow on a regular basis dependent on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is probably a job that should be left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.
