How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they are an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still emit plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
There are many elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose 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 atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also produces more efficiently and cost of Wood burning Stove emits less pollution.
Another element is the boiler’s combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is standard for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, but it’s important to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.
Finally, it is important to ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and avoid clogging.
Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and cost of wood burning stove 200 feet from your house. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is circulated through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly effective way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Make sure you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Remember that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to grow and replace the ones that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns but it is absorbed by other trees and plants and then transform it back into oxygen for us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. These units are also very cost of wood Burning stove-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs or pools, providing a relaxing space to relax in 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.
Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to operate.
Wood-burning heaters are still popular for some due to their low cost and eco-friendly. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than many 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. The smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is crucial to employ an expert to install your wood burner.
It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent fires in your home or any other buildings on your property.
It is crucial to only make use of dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris and combustible substances such as paper or plastic, to avoid fire hazards. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke poses danger to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.
Using an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can travel through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or wind. It can also cause irritation to noses and eyes. It is recommended to close 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 home is an excellent idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once per year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor fireplaces wood burning stoves burners, or OWBs, are ideal for heating your home with renewable energy sources and creating a warm cozy environment. Like all appliances you use regularly it will require some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best use from it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. It is also important to gather your supplies before you begin cleaning — these should 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.
Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process.
You should also clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash, and other materials that could ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.
Depending on the type and amount of heat being drawn from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to look into having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from wood.