10 Tell-Tale Signs You Must See To Find A New Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, look like small wood burning stove for shed sheds that have a short smoke stack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that 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 emit a lot of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is an affordable alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. In general, models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

There are a variety of elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months; ideally, for a full year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns cleaner and emits less pollution.

Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to look for the delivered efficiency as well. This is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home.

It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and to prevent obstruction.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your house. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home by a system that utilizes heat exchangers.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB is an efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. Be sure to choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the correct maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. Don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to stop it from polluting the environment and damaging your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can grow and replace the ones that were burned for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other trees and plants that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. Unlike fossil fuels, the burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollutants.

A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great to relax in 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.

Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the air or the ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease the need for propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials to work properly.

Nevertheless, wood-burning heating is still popular with a few people due to its low cost of wood burning stove and environmental friendliness. The top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most efficient and eco friendly models.

Safety

A wood burning stove, if not installed and maintained properly, could pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to employ professionals to install your wood log burner stove.

A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This can prevent fires from occurring in your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to only use dry well-seasoned logs. You should also ensure that the area around the logs free of any debris and combustible substances such as plastic or paper, to reduce the danger of fire. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is harmful to everyone, but it is particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid wood smoke as it could adversely affect the unborn baby.

Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can travel through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also irritate eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows close to the stove, and keep pets away from the stove.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Check them frequently. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at very least once a month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy warm atmosphere inside your home. As with any appliance you use regularly it will require some maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly.

Maintaining your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you begin cleaning - these should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to maintain an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and Wood log Burner effort needed to clean the process.

You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood stove every week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside the containers.

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 smoke is an issue it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is likely to be a task that is better left to experts to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of wood smoke.