Responsible For The Outdoor Wood Burner Budget? 10 Incredible Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can provide an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce lots of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive option for many. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. As a general rule, models that use wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the firewood utilized. 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 ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns cleaner and emits less pollution.
Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' efficiency in combustion, but it is important to check the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much of the available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also crucial to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy costs. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. And don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to stop it from harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a greener and more sustainable alternative 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 burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, however, it is 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 homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a place to unwind in winter. A majority 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the ground or air which allows them to heat buildings and decrease the need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as green, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function properly.
However, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some because of its low price and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is more than the majority of other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the best models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from a fire may contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and diminished lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Therefore, it is important to hire professionals to install your wood stove.
It is recommended to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They will ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it meets the local safety regulations. This will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to use only dry well-seasoned logs. Also, ensure that the area around logs free of any debris and combustible substances, such as paper or plastic, to avoid fire hazards. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke is able to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can also cause trouble to your neighbors. best woodburners from a fire may blow through windows that are open depending on the weather or the wind. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors close to the stove, and keep pets away from it.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. For help with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating up and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere inside your home. But like any appliance that is used regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly.
Maintaining your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment from it. Cleaning the exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Before you begin any cleaning, ensure that the fire is extinguished and that all electrical power to the wood stove is off. You should also gather your supplies prior to beginning cleaning. This should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house), safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue must be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the accumulation of a chemical that can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.
You 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 metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put in the container.
Smoke from your wood burner could require to be controlled on a regular basis, depending on the type of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that could result from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.