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 provide heat to water, or a combination of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
There are several factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality of the wood utilized. 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 ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and emits less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is a further factor. This is the amount of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. It is common for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.
Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and save you money on your energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow proper maintenance procedures to make the most of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green 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 that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not generate any other environmental pollutant.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, homes and other structures. They are also economical as they remove the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect to relax in wintertime. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an environmentally 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.
log burning stoves near me are a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or ground which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters remain popular among some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. Many of the best models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is superior to other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry and seasoned logs. It is also important to keep the area around the logs free of combustible and debris, such as paper or plastic, to reduce the danger of fire. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may negatively affect their babies.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds, smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire.
It's also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your house and test them frequently. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating up and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere within your home. As with any appliance that you regularly use it needs some attention to keep it running smoothly.
Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. These include newspapers to cover the floor in your home as well as safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.
You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is best to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.
Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled on a regular basis dependent on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem, you will want to look into having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a job that can be a challenge 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 smoke from your wood stove.