How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner
Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a combination of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your house.
When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are used with dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce substantial amounts of smoke.
Energy Efficiency
Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to heat homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable option for many. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.
There are many factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is essential to select only firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried for at least six months at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution.
The boiler's combustion rate is a different factor. This is the amount of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however, it is vital to determine the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much available heat from the wood is absorbed by the home.
Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.
Unlike indoor stoves that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is then distributed via a network of heat exchange units that provide warmth throughout your home.
Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home and can help you save money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned Wood burning stoves on sale in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.
Environmentally Friendly
Wood is a more eco friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollution, unlike fossil fuels.
A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal for relaxing in the winter. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified and are an environmentally friendly 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.
Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood burning stoves furnaces. They extract heat from the air or ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease the need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to function.
Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low cost and environmental friendliness. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent which is more than the majority of other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning cookers wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco friendly models.
Safety
A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your portable wood fireplace stove.
A professional should also examine your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These experts can ensure that your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property.
It is essential to use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or modern Wood burning Stove combustible material, such as plastic or paper. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash because they release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone but it is especially harmful for teenagers, children, older adults and people suffering from respiratory or heart issues. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke because it could adversely affect their babies.
Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and the wind smoke from a fire can fly through windows. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close any windows or doors close to the stove and keep pets away from it.
Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire state.
Maintenance
Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are ideal for heating and creating a cozy, warm space inside your home. But like any appliance that you use regularly they require some care to keep them running smoothly.
You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it regularly. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you start cleaning - these should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) safety gloves, a brush, and a small shovel as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket.
Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to prevent the build-up of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed to clean.
You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. 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 trash, plastics and other materials that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes in them.
Depending on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, and the weather conditions depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to look into getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a task that isn't easy for DIYers, and is probably a job that is better done by experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.