How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.
When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are utilized with dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to heat homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' efficiency in combustion, but it is important to check the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.
It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent obstruction.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB is an effective way to heat your house and save you money on your energy bills. Be sure to choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. And don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly 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 the ones which were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollutant.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing space to relax in winter. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an eco-friendly 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and reduce their need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.
However, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. Many of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is better than most other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the best models available, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can be a significant fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is crucial to employ an expert to install your wood burner.
A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help stop fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry and seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as plastic or paper. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children older adults, and those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. double sided wood burner is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause trouble to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are open according to the weather or winds. It can also cause irritation to noses and eyes. It is a good idea to shut any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the fire.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at the minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal for heating your home with a renewable energy source and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. However, like any appliance you use regularly they need some attention to keep them running smoothly.
You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is gone and all electricity to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves, and a brush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the steel's inner layers in the 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.
You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash, and other materials that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes in them.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem you might want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This isn't an easy task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.