How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. 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 environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice for heating homes for a long time. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. However, not all wood boilers are created with the same efficiency. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are several factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.

Another element is the boiler’s efficiency in combustion which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs’ efficiency in combustion however, it is vital to look for the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.

Finally, it is important 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 must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and prevent obstruction.

In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your house through a system that uses heat exchangers.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is an effective way to heat your house and save you money on your energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will grow and replace those burning for warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, but this is reabsorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds 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 the winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and Indoor CSA approved and are therefore a green choice 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 which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the need 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 continuous supply of raw materials to function efficiently.

Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with some people due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far better than most other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to learn about the best models available that are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

If not properly maintained and indoor installed, a wood burning stove can pose a major danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional do an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This can stop fires from happening in your home or any other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Never burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

While wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it can negatively impact their unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB may also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can travel through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from the stove.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at very least once a month. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. However, like any appliance you use regularly they need some attention to keep them running smoothly.

Maintaining the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use from it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove wood burning is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure to shut off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home, safety gloves and a brush.

Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that 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 that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort needed to clean.

You will also need to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is recommended to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the ashes that are hot in them.

Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled on a regular basis, depending on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn and the conditions of the air. If you notice smoke, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This isn’t an easy task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health issues that could result from inhaling a lot smoke from wood.