How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with a short smoke stack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your home. When used in conjunction 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 Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive alternative for a lot of. However not all wood boilers are created to be equally efficient. In general models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. There are many factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution. Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiency however it is crucial to determine the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home. It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent obstruction. Contrary to stoves that are indoor, which sit directly in your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home. Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Remember that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from polluting the environment and damaging your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a greener and more sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, propane, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones that were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollution. A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in wintertime. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified and are an eco-friendly option 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 air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and reduce the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a constant supply of raw materials to work properly. Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people due to their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally green models. Safety If not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. This is why it is important to hire an expert to install your wood burner. A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home, or in other structures on your property. It is important to only make use of dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. You should also ensure that the area around the logs free of debris and combustible materials like plastic or paper, in order to reduce fire hazards. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air. Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke as it may negatively affect their babies. Using an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or wind. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it. Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should create a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum once per month. For help with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire state. 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 and cozy atmosphere. Like any appliance you regularly use they need some attention to ensure that they are running smoothly. You'll benefit from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove are cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure to shut off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, collect all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor of your home as well as safety gloves and a toothbrush. Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be regularly cleaned to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and also to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean. You'll need to clean the ash container of your wood stove every week. It is best to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes in them. Based on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues caused by inhaling a lot smoke from the wood stove.
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