How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a combination of antifreeze and water which is then circulated throughout your home.

When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable alternative for many. Not all wood boilers have the same effectiveness. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

There are several factors that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is important to choose only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month; ideally for an entire year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the air than wet, green firewood. It also burns better and emits less pollution.

Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. It is standard for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, but it's important to also look at the efficiency of the product. This is a measure of how much of the available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.

It is also crucial to operate the OWB to maximize its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and ensuring that the vent is maintained on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount smoke generated by the stove and prevent the clogging.

In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be installed 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 house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB is an efficient method of heating your house and save you money on your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and properly maintained. Be sure to burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

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 are able to develop and replace the ones that were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants that convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen for us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool, which are great for relaxing in wintertime. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green choice 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 a viable alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the ground or air which allows them to heat buildings and decrease the need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood burner stove for shed stoves and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a steady supply of raw materials in order to function properly.

However, wood-burning heaters are still a favorite among some due to its low cost and green credentials. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than the majority of other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the environment should talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to find out the best models that are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

If not properly maintained and installed, a wood burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. For these reasons, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe and wood-burning appliance regularly. They will ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with local safety standards, which can help stop fires from happening within your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry and seasoned logs. To reduce the risk of fire, ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is dangerous to anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can adversely affect their babies.

Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or winds. It can also irritate nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame.

It's also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom of your home, and to test them regularly. Also, you should create a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. For help with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. 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 space inside your home. But like any appliance that you regularly use they need some attention to keep them running smoothly.

You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood Bruner stove when you maintain it on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, inside, and pipe is a must. Before you do any cleaning, make sure that the fire is extinguished and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is shut off. You will also want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning. This should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel, as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Each time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean.

It is also necessary to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other substances. They could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put in the can.

Based on the type of multi fuel wood burner and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If you are concerned about smoke it is recommended to consider getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is probably a job that should be done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from your wood stove.