10 Quick Tips For Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mix of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout the house.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still generate plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat has been used to heat homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. In general models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
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 seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
The boiler's rate of combustion is a different aspect. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. It is typical for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much heat generated by the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed in your home or office, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed through a system of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient way to heat your home and save you money on your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. Remember that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in the wintertime. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them 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, 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 decrease the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to perform effectively.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand for some because of their low price and eco-friendly. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than many other heating options. People who are concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed, a wood-burning stove can be a significant danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets, furniture and clothing. Therefore, Modern wood burning stoves is important to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help stop fires from happening within your home or other buildings on your property.
It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it can negatively impact the unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance for neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can blow through windows that are not closed according to the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. For help with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. Like all appliances that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. This includes newspapers to cover the floor of your home, safety gloves and a toothbrush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue that needs to be regularly cleaned to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could ignite or explode when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Based on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem you might want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.