How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a combination of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat has been used to heat homes. With fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are a variety of factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and emits less pollution.
The boiler’s combustion rate is a further aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to also look at the delivered efficiency. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
It is also important to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and to prevent the clogging.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your home. The water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home, and it can help you save money on your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent 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 renewable resource which means that new trees will grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn’t create any other environmental pollution.
Wood furnaces can be used for heating homes, garages sheds and other structures. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools as well as provide a tranquil place to unwind during the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified and are 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, outdoor wood burner which can irritate those with sensitive respiratory systems.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform their job.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people due to their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco green models.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Therefore, it is important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.
It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help prevent fires from your home or any other buildings on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To reduce the risk of fire, keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, such as plastic or paper. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.
Using an OWB could also be a nuisance for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are open according to the weather or wind. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
It is recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your house, and to test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating your home and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere within your home. Like any appliance that you regularly use 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 maximum enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the electricity and fire before you begin cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you begin cleaning – these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a brush and an incredibly small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure optimal 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 reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning.
You’ll have to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is better to empty the ash in metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other materials. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put into the can.
Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled regularly, depending on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn in and the weather conditions. If you notice smoke you might want 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 a task that is better left to professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.