How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout the house.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for centuries. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable option for many people. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is essential 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 is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants.
The boiler's rate of combustion is a different aspect. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. It is typical for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your home or office, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and can save you money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. Don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a source of renewable energy, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace those that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees and then transform it back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutants.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools which are perfect for relaxing in winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which extracts thermal energy from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and reduce the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a steady supply of raw materials to perform properly.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
used wood stoves for sale -burning stove, when not maintained and installed properly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.
A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and is in compliance with local safety regulations, which can keep fires from forming in your home or other structures on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. To reduce 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.
Wood smoke is dangerous to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to teenagers, children and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.
Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or wind. It can also irritate eyes and noses. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your house is also an excellent idea. Test them regularly. Also, you should create a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great for heating your home with renewable energy sources and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. Like all appliances that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.
You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you start any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely extinguished and that all electrical power to the wood stove is shut off. It is also important to gather your supplies prior to beginning 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.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.
You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the ashes that are hot in them.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke, you may want to make sure that 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 should be left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.