The Worst Advice We've Heard About Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They heat water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house.

When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are made of dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still generate a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat has been used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive option for many. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

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

Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is standard for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much of the available heat from the wood reaches the home.

It is also important to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its efficiency. This includes cleaning and maintaining the vent frequently. The flue should be cleaned every week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and avoid obstruction.

Unlike indoor stoves that are installed within 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 then distributed throughout your home by an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy costs. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. Don't forget that only dry and seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to prevent it from polluting the environment and damaging your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a source of renewable energy, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace the ones that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned, it releases carbon dioxide but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollutant.

Wood furnaces can be used for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. They can be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil place to unwind during the winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are 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.

An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which extracts thermal energy from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood woodburning stoves and they're more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials in order to function.

However, wood-burning heating is still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than the majority of other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out about the most effective models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

If it is not properly installed and maintained, a wood burning stove can be a significant danger to fire. Smoke from a fire can be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. It is therefore essential to employ professionals to install your wood stove.

It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and modern wood burning stoves-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating in a safe manner. This can help prevent fires from happening in your home or any other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB, it is important to select dry, seasoned logs. It is also important to keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials like plastic or paper, in order 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 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 pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect the unborn baby.

Using an OWB can also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or wind. It can also cause irritation to eyes and outdoor wood burner noses. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in each bedroom of your house is also a great idea. Test them regularly. It is also recommended to make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at the very least once a month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore your smoke-damaged property or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

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

Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best use from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove is cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire is completely extinguished and that all electricity to the wood stove is shut off. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. This includes newspapers to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves and a toothbrush.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps keep from the accumulation of a chemical that can damage the inner layer of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire will help reduce the amount of time and effort needed for the cleaning process.

It is also necessary to clean the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to empty the ash into a metal Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you place the hot ashes inside the containers.

Based on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the weather conditions depending on the weather, you may have to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to think about 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 the do-it-yourselfer and is a task which is best left to professionals to avoid any health problems caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from wood.