How Do I Explain Outdoor Wood Burner To A Five-Year-Old
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still produce plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable option for many people. However, not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of these is the quality of the wood utilized. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however it is crucial to determine the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned every week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.
In contrast to indoor stoves, which sit directly within your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your house and save you money on energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Don't forget to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace the ones that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. They are extremely cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, which are great for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved which makes them a green option for home heating.
However, small wood burning stoves 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 viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. They are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to operate.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low cost and eco-friendly. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than many other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the impact on the environment must speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models, which are both efficient and eco-friendly.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health problems, including asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets, furniture and clothing. For these reasons, it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help keep fires from forming in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could negatively affect their unborn baby.
Using an OWB can also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and wind, smoke from a fire can blow through open windows. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum once per month. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to their pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like any appliance that you use frequently it needs some attention to ensure it is running smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment from it. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Be sure to 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 toothbrush and a small shovel, as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it into a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.
Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis, dependent on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn in and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem, you may want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.