How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small wood burning stoves sheds that have an elongated smokestack. 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 used with dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still produce an enormous amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat was used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable option for many people. Wood boilers are not all built with the same efficiency. As a general rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are a variety of factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months and ideally, for the entire year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green wood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.

Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to check the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much of the available heat from the wood reaches the home.

In the end, it is essential to operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.

In contrast to indoor stoves that are located inside your home, an OWB is installed between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home and reduce your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it properly. Don't forget to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a greener and more sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline 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. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollutants.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. These units are very economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect to relax in wintertime. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green 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.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump that extracts heat from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. 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 function effectively.

However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low price and green credentials. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than the majority of other heating options. Those who are concerned about the environment should consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the best wood burner stoves models that are efficient and eco-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 that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets furniture, clothing and furniture. Because of this, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning regularly. They can make sure that your OWB meets the local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help prevent fires from your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to use only dry and seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, such as paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is harmful to all, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that all new and expectant mothers beware of exposure to wood stove burners smoke, as it can adversely affect their babies.

Using an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and winds smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.

It is recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house and test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm cozy environment. Like any appliance that you regularly use it needs some attention to keep it running smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. Cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves, and a brush.

Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process.

You should also clean out the ash container on your small wood burning stove burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a steel ash container instead of dumping it into a garbage container that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes inside the containers.

Based on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be a challenge for the do-it-yourselfer and is likely to be a task which is best indoor wood burning stove left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.