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 heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout the 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 produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for a lot of. However not all wood boilers are created with the same efficiency. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are installed directly in your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy costs. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop 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 the ones that were burning for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to warm a pool or hot tub and provide a space to relax during the winter months. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or ground, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to their low price and environmental stewardship. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally green models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. wood burning stove can help prevent fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry, seasoned logs. It is also important to ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, to avoid the danger of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are open depending on the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. For help with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere in your home. Like all appliances that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure to shut 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 start cleaning. This should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.
You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you put the ashes that are hot in the containers.
Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled on a regular basis, dependent on the kind of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a task that isn't easy for the do-it-yourselfer and is probably a job that should be left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.