How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that is then circulated throughout your home. When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts of smoke. Energy Efficiency Wood heat is a common choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are created with the same efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces. There are a variety of elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and best for a whole year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants. Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to look for the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much of the available heat from the wood reaches the home. It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained regularly. The flue must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and avoid the clogging. Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly inside your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers. Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB is an efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy costs. Make sure you select a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to make the most of it. And don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels. Wood furnaces can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, which are great for relaxing in the winter months. stove wood burning are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them an eco-friendly option 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. An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, that extracts heat from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job. However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far better than most other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco friendly models. Safety A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also 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 wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This can help keep fires from forming in your home or other buildings on your property. It is crucial to only make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Wood smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that new and expectant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke because it could adversely affect their babies. Utilizing an OWB can also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can blow through windows that are not closed according to the weather or wind. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets from the fire. It is recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house and test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and do it at least once per year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its 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 ambience in your home. Like all appliances you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly. You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you begin any cleaning, ensure that the fire is gone and all electrical power to the wood stove is off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves, and a brush. Every time you burn wood 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 cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required to clean. You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular 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 could ignite and explode when you place the ashes that are hot in the containers. Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow regularly, depending on the kind of wood used, how much heat is being drawn in and the weather conditions. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to think about having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is probably a job that should be left to the professionals to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.
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