How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze that is then circulated throughout your home.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are utilized with dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still emit plenty of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are many factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One is the quality of the wood utilized. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and wood burner Fireplace kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a further factor. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to consider the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.

It is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent clogging.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient way to heat your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most out of it. Don't forget that only dry cheap wood burning stove that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to stop it from harming the environment and your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable source, meaning that new trees will grow to replace the ones that were used to heat. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a place to unwind in winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green alternative 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, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the requirement 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.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular among some people due to their low cost and eco-friendly. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than other heating options. People who are concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires could contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to get a professional to install your wood stove.

A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it meets local safety regulations, which will help to keep fires from forming in your home or any other buildings on your property.

It is essential to make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To reduce the risk of fire, keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible material, such as plastic or paper. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that new pregnant mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke because it could negatively affect their babies.

Utilizing an OWB could also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.

It's recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house, and to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and do it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy warm ambience within your home. As with any appliance you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.

You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you do any cleaning, make sure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.

Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue, which must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean.

You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is more efficient to empty the ash into a metal container than in the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are placed in the container.

Based on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers and is probably a job which is best left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.