How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home. When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce a significant amount of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since centuries, wood heat was used to heat homes. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective option for many people. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As outdoor wood burning stove that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs). There are many elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. 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 best for a whole year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution. The rate of combustion in the boiler is a different aspect. This is the proportion of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to consider the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home. Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner. In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home. Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones that were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels. A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. These units are also very economical, since they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in winter. Many 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 an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease their need for propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as green, but they require a steady supply of raw materials to function properly. However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. The top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is better than most other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the most effective models available that are efficient and environmentally friendly. Safety A wood burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can be a fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner. It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home, or in other structures on your property. It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around the logs free of combustible and debris like plastic or paper, to minimize the danger of fire. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or rubbish as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Wood smoke poses danger to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults as well as those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can adversely affect their babies. Utilizing an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close all doors and windows close to the stove, and keep pets away from the stove. Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your home is a great idea. Test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum every month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy warm ambience within your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly. Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most use from it. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Before you start any cleaning, be sure that the fire is gone and all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. It is also important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket. Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance which can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean. You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is best to empty the ash into an iron ash container instead of dumping it into a garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash, and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes in them. Smoke from your wood burner could need to be controlled on a regular basis depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If you notice smoke, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a challenging task for a DIYer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health problems caused by smoking a lot of wood smoke.
outdoor wood burning stove
