How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with a short smokestack. They heat water, or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is an affordable alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the firewood used. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollutants.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different factor. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to look at the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and prevent the clogging.
Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is installed between 100 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely effective way to heat your home and save money on energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace those burning for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools that are ideal for relaxing in the winter. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved, making them a green option 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 a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and reduce their need for oil, propane, or natural gas. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and they're more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low price and environmental stewardship. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is better than most other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and environmentally green models.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent 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, keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as plastic or paper. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect their unborn child.
Utilizing an OWB may also cause trouble to your neighbors. Based on the weather and winds, smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Test them regularly. It is also recommended to 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 help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy, warm ambience in your home. Like any appliance you regularly use, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.
You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you start any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely gone and all electricity to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a brush.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort to clean.
wood burning stoves near me 'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed in the can.
Based on the type and amount of heat being drawn from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions it is possible to control smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke it is recommended to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that isn't easy for DIYers, and is likely to be a task that is better left to professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.