How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor multi fuel wood burning stoves 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 mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.
When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate substantial amounts 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 an attractive option for many. There aren’t all wood boilers that have the same efficiency. In general, models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
The energy efficiency of an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months, and best for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler’s efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs’ efficiency in combustion however, it is vital to check the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.
It is also crucial to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means cleaning it and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.
In contrast to indoor stoves that are located inside your home, an OWB is set up between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that utilizes heat exchangers.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be a highly efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency model and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Remember that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to stop it from harming the environment and your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees will grow and replace those burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood doesn’t generate any other environmental pollutants.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. These units are very cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool which are perfect for relaxing in the wintertime. A majority 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.
An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function properly.
However, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people because of its low price and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than many other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment need to talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Safety
If not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove can be a significant risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.
A professional should also check your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it meets local safety regulations, which can help prevent fires from occurring in your home or other buildings on your property.
When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to use only dry and seasoned logs. It is also important to ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris and combustible substances, such as plastic or paper, to minimize the danger of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
Although wood smoke is able to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB can be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may be blown through windows that are open depending on the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.
It’s recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test them frequently. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. For assistance with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire condition.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also known as outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are great for heating your home and creating a warm, cozy space in your home. But like any appliance that you use regularly they need some attention to ensure they run smoothly.
Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Before you do any cleaning, make sure that the fire is extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is turned off. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the items you require. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves, and a brush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and also to prevent the buildup of a substance that corrodes the steel’s inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed for the cleaning process.
You’ll need to clean the ash container of your wood burner every week. It is more efficient to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with trash, plastics and other substances. They may spark or explode if the ashes are hot when placed in the container.
Based on the type of Multi Fuel Wood Burning Stoves and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the atmospheric conditions depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular basis. If you notice smoke it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a job that isn’t easy for DIYers, and is a task which is best done by experts to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.