10 Tell-Tale Signals You Need To Get A New Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.
When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for a lot of. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by several factors. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six month and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is common for manufacturers to advertise the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the efficiency of the product. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly inside your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is circulated through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and reduce your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Be sure to burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees will grow and replace those burned for warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing space to relax during the winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved, making them an environmentally 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract thermal energy from the air or ground which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for propane, oil or natural gas. They are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.
Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand for some due to their low price and environmental friendliness. Many of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally green models.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can be a significant danger to fire. Smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore essential to get a professional to install your wood stove.
A professional should also check your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help prevent fires in your home or any other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to use only dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that new and expecting mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can adversely affect their babies.
Using an OWB can also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy, warm space within your home. As with any appliance you use regularly it needs some attention to keep it running smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the fire is gone and all electricity to the wood stove is shut off. You will also want to gather your supplies prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.
large wood burning stove will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash, and other items that could ignite and explode when you put the ashes that are hot in the containers.
Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled on a regular basis, dependent on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If you notice smoke, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be difficult for DIYers and is likely to be a task which is best left to the professionals to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.