How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with a short smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.

When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still generate lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood was used to warm homes. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is an affordable choice for a lot of people. However not all wood boilers are created equal in terms of efficiency. In general, models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood used. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollutants.

The boiler's rate of combustion is another aspect. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to look at the delivered efficiency. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood reaches your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered 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 discussed above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home and can save you money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it properly. Remember that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.


Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace those that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, homes and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an environmentally friendly option 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, which can irritate those with sensitive respiratory systems.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which extracts thermal energy from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.

However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.

Safety

A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed properly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help stop fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that new pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may adversely affect their babies.

Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are open according to the weather or winds. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.

It's also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in each bedroom of your home and test them regularly. You should also create a family evacuation plan and practice it at very least once a month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help 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 for heating your home with renewable energy sources and creating a warm cozy environment. Like all appliances that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire has been completely gone and all electrical power to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves, and a brush.

Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.

You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. wood fire stove for sale www.fireplacesandstove.com is best to empty the ash into a steel container for ash instead of throwing it into a garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other items that can ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside them.

Depending on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from smoking a lot of smoke from wood.