How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, outdoor wood burner appear like small sheds that have a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around 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 do produce substantial amounts of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular option to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are a variety of factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One is the quality of the firewood that is used. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months, and best 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 produces less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different factor. This is the percentage of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to consider the delivered efficiency. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.

It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.

Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. And don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as 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. When wood is burned it emits carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. wood burning stove modern burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be used for heating homes, garages sheds, and other structures. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal to relax in winter. 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.

Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and reduce their need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.

However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. Many of the best models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is much superior to other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models available, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

If not properly maintained and installed the wood burning woodburner stove can pose a major danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. This is why it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner.

It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This will help to prevent fires from occurring within your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs. Also, ensure that the area around logs clear of debris and combustible materials such as plastic or paper, in order to reduce the risk of fire. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expectant mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.

Utilizing an OWB could 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 cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.

It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house, and to test them frequently. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once a year. For help 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 condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere in your home. Like any appliance you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the most enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Before you begin any cleaning, make sure that the fire has been completely extinguished and that all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home as well as safety gloves, and a brush.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a substance which can damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.

You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other materials. They could ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed in the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis depending on the kind of wood used, how much heat is being drawn in and atmospheric conditions. If you notice smoke it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be a challenge for the do-it-yourselfer and is likely to be a task that is better left to the professionals to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.