How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have the appearance of a small smokestack. They heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.

When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still generate plenty of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is an affordable alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of the factors 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 air than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a further factor. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove to useful heat. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to determine the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood is delivered to your home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to distribute 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 your energy bills. Just make sure that you select a high-efficiency model and follow proper 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 an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like 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 burned, it emits carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn't create any other environmental pollution.

Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating homes, garages sheds and other structures. They are also economical, since they eliminate the need for costly energy bills. They can also be used to warm a pool or hot tub and provide a place to relax in winter. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green 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 burning stoves for sale furnace is an electric heat pump, that extracts heat from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform efficiently.

However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out the best models that are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

A wood-burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. Because of this, it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.

A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it is compliant with local safety regulations, which can prevent fires from occurring within your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry and seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible material, such as paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.

Modern wood Burning stove smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it can negatively impact the unborn baby.

Using an OWB can also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the fire.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once per year. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses back to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters, or Modern wood burning stove OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy, warm space inside your home. Like any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best use out of it. The basic cleaning needs of 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 prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to gather your supplies before you begin cleaning. These include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps stop the accumulation of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort to clean.

You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is recommended to empty the ash into an iron Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other materials that could ignite and explode if you place the ashes that are hot in them.

Smoke from your wood burner could require a controlled airflow on a regular basis, depending on the kind of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn and the weather conditions. If smoke is an issue you might want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a task that can be difficult for the do-it-yourselfer and is likely to be a task that is better done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from your wood stove.