How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that is then circulated throughout your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still produce lots of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality of the wood used. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood gets to your home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in winter. A lot 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to operate.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low cost and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than the majority of other heating alternatives. Anyone who is 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
If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is important to only make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance for neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate eyes and noses. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the fire.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke 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 very least once a month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy environment. Like any appliance that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire is completely extinguished and that all electricity connected 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 in your home as well as safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be regularly cleaned to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.
You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is better to dispose of the ash in metal containers rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other substances. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put in the container.
Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis, depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the conditions of the air. If smoke is a problem, you may want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This isn't an easy task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that could result from smoking a lot of smoke from the wood stove.