How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One is the quality of the wood that is used. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces 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 common for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to also look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood gets to your home.
It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue vent should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and prevent clogging.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes 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 mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and properly maintained. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants and then transform it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a place to relax in the winter months. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground and 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 heating is still popular with a few people because of its low cost and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is much better than most other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can pose a major risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also 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 examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which will help to keep fires from forming in your home or any other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to use only dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could adversely affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance for neighbors. Based on the weather and wind smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to noses and eyes. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it.
It is also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home and test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and do it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. wood burning stove sale can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home with an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. Like any appliance that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Be sure to turn off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. It is also important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin cleaning. This should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps prevent the build-up of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed to clean.
You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.
Smoke from your wood stove may require a controlled airflow on a regular basis, depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is likely to be a task that is better left to the professionals to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.