How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burner fireplace ideas burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still produce lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is a viable alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. As a general rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by several factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and ideally for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also produces more efficiently and emits less pollution.

Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to look for the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood gets to your home.

It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue vent should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and prevent obstruction.

In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered 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 can be an extremely efficient way to heat your house and save you money on your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and maintain it properly. Remember that only dry and seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't produce any other environmental pollutants.

Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs or wood burning Stove pools as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in the winter months. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly alternative 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 ground or air, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as green, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function effectively.

However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with a few people due to its low cost and eco-friendly. Many of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models available that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained correctly, could be a fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets local safety standards, which will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry, seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as plastic or paper. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke is able to harm everyone however, it is particularly dangerous for children, teenagers, older adults and Wood Burning Stove people suffering from respiratory or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it can negatively impact the unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB may also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are open according to the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to the nose and eyes. It is a good idea 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 room of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. It is also recommended to have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once a year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged houses or businesses to their pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. But like any appliance that is used regularly, they require some maintenance to keep them running smoothly.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best use from it. Cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is essential. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. It is also important to prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning - these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush, and an incredibly small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to stop the accumulation of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required to clean.

You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other materials. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put into the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may need to be controlled regularly, according to the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn out and the weather conditions. If you are concerned about smoke you should consider having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers, and is likely to be a task that should be done by experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of smoke from wood.