How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mix of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your home.
When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still generate a lot of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to heat homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's crucial to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly inside your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and reduce your energy bills. To get the most value 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 keep the wood 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 are able to grow and replace those burned for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. These units are very economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a space to relax during the winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job.
However, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health problems, including asthma and diminished 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 or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry and seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that new pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or winds. It can also irritate noses and eyes. Close all doors and windows that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.
log burning stoves for sale 's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home and test them frequently. It is also recommended to develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum once per month. For help with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy warm space inside your home. However, like any appliance you regularly use they require some care to keep them running smoothly.
You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin cleaning. These should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote that must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to dispose of the ash in an aluminum container rather than a regular trash can, which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. small wood stove could ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed in the can.
Smoke from your wood burner may need to be controlled on a regular basis dependent on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem it is recommended to think about getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a challenging task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.