10 Tips For Getting The Most Value From Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts 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 a viable option for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and releases less pollutants.
The boiler's combustion rate is a further factor. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however it is crucial to check the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.
In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. 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 provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your home and save money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
small wood burning stoves is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. When wood is burned 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 used for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. These units are very cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools that are ideal to relax in wintertime. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified, 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as green, but they require a steady supply of raw materials to perform properly.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some because of their low price and environmental stewardship. The top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to get a professional to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This will help to keep fires from forming in your home or any other buildings on your property.
It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around the logs free of debris and combustible materials, such as paper or plastic, to avoid the danger of fire. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Wood smoke poses danger to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could negatively affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind smoke from a fire could fly through windows. It can also irritate noses and eyes. Close all doors and windows close to the stove and keep pets away from the stove.
It's recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your house, and to test them frequently. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum every month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating up and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere inside your home. Like any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use out of it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel, as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to prevent the accumulation of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.
You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. These could ignite or explode when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Smoke from your wood stove may require a controlled airflow regularly, dependent on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues that may arise from breathing in a lot of wood smoke.