How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They heat water, or a mix of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce lots of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the firewood used. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution.
Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to also look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.
In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly 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 office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home and save you money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace those that were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. These units are very economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool, which are great for relaxing in the wintertime. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump that extracts heat from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they're more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to function.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with a few people because of its low cost and eco-friendly. Many of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco green models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. Because of such a good point , it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and is in compliance with local safety standards, which will help to stop fires from happening within your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry, seasoned logs. You should also ensure that the area around logs clear of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, in order to avoid fire hazards. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to all, but it's particularly dangerous to teenagers, children and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their babies.
Using an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fireplace can blow through open windows. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Check them frequently. You should also have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating and creating a cozy, warm ambience in your home. Like all appliances that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you begin any cleaning, make sure that the fire has been completely out of the way and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps prevent the build-up of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort for cleaning.
You will need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel container for ash instead of throwing it into a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes in the containers.
Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions it is possible to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This can be a difficult task for anyone who wants to do it themselves. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.