How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small wall mounted wood burning stove sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.

When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are made of dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still emit plenty of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood was used to heat homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable option for many. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. As a general rule, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

The boiler's combustion rate is another factor. This is the amount of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' efficiency in combustion, but it is important to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood reaches the home.

It is also important to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and prevent obstruction.

Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is installed between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is circulated through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB is an effective way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. They are also cost of wood burning stove-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal for relaxing in winter. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green 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 stoves for sale 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 requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to function.

However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far better than most other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood-burning stove can be a significant fire hazard. Smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.

A professional should also check your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires from your home or other structures on your property.

It is important to only make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. Also, keep the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris such as paper or plastic, to minimize fire hazards. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that newly born pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can adversely affect their babies.

Utilizing an OWB can also cause annoyance to neighbors. Based on the weather and wind smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the very least once a month. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. As with any appliance you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the most use out of it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire is extinguished and that all electrical power to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the items you require. This includes 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 releases creosote that must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort needed to clean.

You will need 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 bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes inside them.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis, depending on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the weather conditions. If smoke is a concern you should think about getting the flue pipe on your wood burning stoves stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be a challenge for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task which is best done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood burning stoves for sale near me.