How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout the house.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still generate a significant amount 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 a viable option for many. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. In general models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants.

The boiler's rate of combustion is a different aspect. This is the percentage of heat that is converted by the stove into useful heat. It is common for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to look at the efficiency of the product. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home.

Finally, it is important to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to prevent clogging and reduce the amount of smoke released by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are located in your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home.

Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home and reduce your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Make sure to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood 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 develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. When fireplaces wood burning stoves is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but it is then absorbed and converted back into oxygen by other plants. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollution.

Wood furnaces can be used for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. 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, providing a relaxing space to relax during the winter months. A lot 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 furnace is an electric heat pump, which draws heat from the ground or air which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function properly.

Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some because of its low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the best wood burner stoves models available that are efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. Because of this, it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner.

It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, wood-burning appliance and stovepipe regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it meets local safety standards, which will help to keep fires from forming in your home or other buildings on your property.

It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood when burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible material, such as paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new and expecting mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their unborn babies.

Utilizing an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are not closed according to the weather or winds. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is recommended to close any windows or doors that are 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. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire state.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs are great for heating your home with renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, like any appliance you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure they run smoothly.

You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. You should also gather your supplies before you begin cleaning - these 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 use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue that needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can help reduce the time and effort to clean.

You should also clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is more efficient to dispose of the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put into the can.

Smoke from your wood stove may require a controlled airflow regularly, dependent on the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and atmospheric conditions. If smoke is a concern, you will want to think about having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best 5kw wood burning stove to leave it to professionals to avoid health problems that may arise from inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.