How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They are heated by water, or a combination of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house.
When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can be an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce plenty of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since centuries, wood heat has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a cost-effective choice for a lot of people. However not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).
The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of these is the quality of the wood utilized. 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 is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's important to look at the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
In the end, it is essential to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and prevent obstruction.
In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed via a network of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be a highly efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy bills. Make sure you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to make the most of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, such as 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. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants and then transform it back into oxygen for us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.
Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great 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.
A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which draws heat from the air or ground and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement 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 work efficiently.
Wood-burning heaters remain popular with some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. The top models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is better than most other heating options. Speak with an expert in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco sustainable models.
Safety
If not properly installed and maintained, a wood-burning stove can pose a major fire hazard. Smoke from a fire can contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. For these reasons, it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner.
It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance 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 in other structures on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris like plastic or paper, to avoid the risk of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.
Utilizing an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Based on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fireplace can fly through windows. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your house and test them regularly. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to their pre-fire state.
wood burning stove uk burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are great for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy environment. As with any appliance that you regularly use it will require some maintenance to ensure that it runs smoothly.
You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all your supplies. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home as well as safety gloves and a brush.
Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process.
You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood stove every week. It is more efficient to empty the ash into metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other substances. They may spark or explode if the hot ashes are put in the can.
Smoke from your wood burner may require to be controlled on a regular basis depending on the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to consider having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is probably a job which is best done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.