How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is an affordable option for many people. However, not all wood boilers are created equal in terms of efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by several factors. One is the quality of the wood that is used. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months; ideally, for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is a further aspect. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to also look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.
In the end, it is essential to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent the clogging.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed in your home or office, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy costs. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to stop it from creating pollution and causing damage to 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 be planted to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutants.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. Modern wood burning stoves can also be used to warm hot tubs or pools, providing a relaxing place to unwind during the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified, making them an environmentally friendly 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 great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of 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 continuous supply of raw materials to function.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than the majority of other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out the most effective models available that are efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can pose a major danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is crucial to employ an expert to install your wood burner.
A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires in your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry, seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that newly born and expectant mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke, as it can negatively affect their unborn babies.
Using an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are open depending on the weather or wind. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is recommended to close any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact 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 called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a cozy warm ambience within your home. Like all appliances you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use out of it. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electricity to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote that must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed for the cleaning process.
You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is best to empty the ash into a metal Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in the containers.
Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions it is possible to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If you notice smoke it is recommended to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a task that isn't easy for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that is better done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.