How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. However, not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One is the quality of the wood used. wood burners near me is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is a different factor. This is the amount of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to look for the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and prevent obstruction.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are installed directly within your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water 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 house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your home and save money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace the ones that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollution.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, which are great to relax in winter months. A majority 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump that extracts heat from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and reduce the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to work effectively.
However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with a few people because of its low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models that are efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained correctly, could be a fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and a reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is working safely and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This can keep fires from forming within your home or other buildings on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the air.
While wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and the wind smoke from a fire could be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
It's also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are great for heating your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like all appliances that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire is completely gone and all electricity to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves, and a brush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue that needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort required to clean.
You will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside the containers.
Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow regularly, according to the type of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If you notice smoke, you may want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues caused by inhaling a lot wood smoke.
