10 Quick Tips About Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They are used to heat 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. However, they still produce an enormous amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
There are several factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of these is the quality of the firewood used. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and releases less pollutants.
The rate of combustion in the boiler is a further factor. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to look for the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.
It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This means keeping it clean and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and prevent obstruction.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water in the OWB is then pumped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed through a system of heat exchange units to distribute warmth throughout your home.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient way to heat your home, and it can reduce your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is efficient and properly maintained. Don't forget to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. wood burning stove small will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable source, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. They are economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to warm hot tubs or pools and provide a place to unwind during the winter months. 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which extracts thermal energy from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and reduce the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform efficiently.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. The top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.
Safety
A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained correctly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. It is also important to ensure that the area around the logs free of combustible and debris, such as paper or plastic, to minimize the danger of fire. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly dangerous to teenagers, children and older adults as well as those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke because it could negatively affect their babies.
Utilizing an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fire can blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the fire.
It's recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home and test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, like any appliance you use regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. You should also gather your supplies before you begin cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a brush, 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 residue, which must be regularly cleaned to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean.
You should also clean the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is more efficient to empty the ash into a metal container than in the regular trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put in the container.
Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem you should look into getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.