The No. 1 Question Everybody Working In Outdoor Wood Burner Should Be Able To Answer
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice to heat homes for centuries. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective choice for a lot of people. However, not all wood boilers are created with the same efficiency. As a general rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many factors that impact the energy efficiency of an OWB. One factor 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, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different factor. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to consider the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most benefit of it. Don't forget to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide however, it is absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in the wintertime. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green option for home heating.
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, that extracts heat from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials to function efficiently.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than many other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
A wood-burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health issues, including asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also contaminate carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore important 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 is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help prevent fires from your home or other structures on your property.
It is crucial to only make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. Also, ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, to reduce fire hazards. Never burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke is able to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can adversely affect their babies.
Utilizing wood burning stove uk can also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can travel through windows that are not closed according to the weather or wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum every month. For help with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great for heating your home with a renewable energy source and creating a warm cozy environment. Like all appliances that you regularly use, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
You will benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Before you do any cleaning, ensure that the fire is out of the way and that all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a brush.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort needed for the cleaning process.
It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. These could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat attracted from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers, and is probably a job that is better left to the experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.