How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a combination of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house. When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to heat homes. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of the factors 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 ideally for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution. wood burner fireplace is another factor. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. It is standard for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home. It is also crucial to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent clogging. Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The water that is heated in the OWB is then run through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers. Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy bills. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is energy efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a more eco sustainable 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 those that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burnt, it emits carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollutant. Wood furnaces can be used for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in the wintertime. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly choice 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 the ground which allows them to heat buildings and reduce their use of oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a constant supply of raw materials to function effectively. Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of their low price and environmental stewardship. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly. Safety A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained correctly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from fires could contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore important to hire professionals to install your wood stove. 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. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can help stop fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property. When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to use only dry, seasoned logs. Also, keep the area around the logs free of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, in order to avoid fire hazards. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the air. Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults as well as those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact their unborn child. Using an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. Close any windows or doors close to the stove, and keep pets away from it. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a cozy warm ambience inside your home. As with any appliance that you use frequently it needs some attention to ensure it is running smoothly. You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. It is also important to gather your supplies before you begin cleaning. This should include newspaper (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 use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote that must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort to clean. It is also necessary to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other items. They may ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed in the can. Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow on a regular basis dependent on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn out and atmospheric conditions. If you notice smoke it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be a challenge for DIYers and is probably a job which is best done by experts to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.
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