How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your home.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Wood heat has been a popular option to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for many. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same efficiency. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.
There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.
The boiler's rate of combustion is a different aspect. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.
It is also crucial to ensure that you are operating the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent clogging.
Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.
Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your house and save you money on your energy bills. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to make the most of it. Be sure to burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
small log burning stove is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable source, meaning that new trees will grow to replace those that were used to heat. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect for relaxing in wintertime. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly option for home heating.
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 air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as green, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function properly.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. People who are concerned about the environment need to consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If it is not properly maintained and installed, a wood-burning stove could pose a serious risk of fire. Smoke from fires could contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. small log burning stove can also contaminate carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.
A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This can help prevent fires from occurring in your home or other buildings on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. Also, ensure that the area around logs clear of any debris and combustible substances, such as paper or plastic, to reduce the risk of fire. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as these can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke as it may adversely affect their babies.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a nuisance for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it.
Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. As with any appliance that you use frequently it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire has been completely gone and all electrical power to the wood stove is turned off. You will also want to prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning. This include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a toothbrush 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 gets produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to prevent the accumulation of a chemical that can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort needed for cleaning.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you place the ashes that are hot in them.
Smoke from your wood stove may require a controlled airflow on a regular basis, according to the kind of wood used, how much heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If smoke is a problem you should look into getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a challenging task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.