How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, appear like small wood burning stove indoor sheds that have a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated through your home.

When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still generate lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating fossil multi fuel wood burning stoves prices, it is a cost-effective alternative for many. However there are a few differences between wood boilers. Not all wood boilers are created with the same efficiency. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of these is the quality of the wood utilized. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.

Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to determine the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.

Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid the clogging.

Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is located between 100 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Don't forget to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a source of renewable energy which means that new trees will grow to replace the ones which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned but it is absorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. They are also economical as they remove the need for costly utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs or pools and provide a place to unwind during the winter months. A lot 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 viable alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the air or the ground which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a constant supply of raw materials to function effectively.

Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some because of its low price and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is much better than most other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to find out about the best models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, including asthma and a reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. For these reasons, it is crucial to employ an expert to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with local safety standards, which can prevent fires from occurring in your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry well-seasoned logs. Also, ensure that the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris like paper or plastic, to avoid the danger of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke poses danger to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults and those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.

Utilizing an OWB may also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and winds, smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows close to the stove and keep pets away from it.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum once per month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are great for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. Like any appliance that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove are cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you begin any cleaning, be sure that the best wood burning stoves fire is completely extinguished and that all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. You will also want to gather your supplies before you begin cleaning - these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel, as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

Each time you burn modern wood burning stove on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to stop the accumulation of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.

You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other materials. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put in the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis, dependent on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a problem, you will want to think about having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This isn't an easy task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues that could result from inhaling a lot smoke from wood.