How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the firewood used. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to determine the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much heat from the wood reaches your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.

In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by a system that uses heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it properly. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline 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 however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees and then transform the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollutant.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools, providing a relaxing place to unwind during the winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are an environmentally 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.

Electric heat pumps are a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a steady supply of raw materials to perform efficiently.

Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and eco green models.

Safety

If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove can be a significant fire hazard. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Therefore, it is important to employ professionals to install your wood stove.

It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can help keep fires from forming in your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry, seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect the unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are open according to the weather or winds. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors that are close to the stove and Outdoor wood burner keep pets away from it.

It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house, and to test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and practice it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are ideal for heating and creating a cozy, warm atmosphere in your home. However, like any appliance you use regularly, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.

You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to gather your supplies before you begin cleaning. This include newspapers (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.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance which can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required for cleaning.

It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is more efficient to dispose of the ash in metal containers rather than the standard trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other substances. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed into the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require a controlled airflow on a regular basis depending on the type of wood used wood burning stoves, how much heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a challenging task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health issues caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.