How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to warm homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable option for many. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality of the wood 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 releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The boiler's rate of combustion is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is piped 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 negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy costs. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a source of renewable energy which means that new trees will grow to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. They are also economical, since they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools that are ideal to relax in winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved, making 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand among some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than many other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can pose a major fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. For these reasons, it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry, seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and wind smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from the stove.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your home is an excellent 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. wood stoves near me can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere inside your home. As with any appliance that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.
You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Be sure to turn off the electricity and fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help 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 more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. They could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed in the container.
Based on the type and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If you are concerned about smoke it is recommended to consider getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers and is probably a job that is better done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.