A Provocative Rant About Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with the appearance of a small smokestack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are used with dry wood, they can be an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still produce lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat is a common choice for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is a viable option for many. However not all wood boilers are created equal in terms of efficiency. As a general rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are several factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and ideally for a whole year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

The rate of combustion in the boiler is a further factor.  wood stove furnace  is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. It is typical for manufacturers to promote the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood reaches your home.

Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid obstruction and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Unlike indoor stoves that are located inside your home, an OWB is installed between 100 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated to get 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 a highly efficient way to heat your home and save money on your energy bills. To get the most from your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a source of renewable energy which means that new trees will be planted to replace those that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels.

Wood furnaces can be used for heating homes, garages sheds, and other structures. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for costly utility bills. They can also be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil place to unwind in winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore 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.

Electric heat pumps are a great alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the air or the ground and can be used to heat buildings and reduce their use of propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function efficiently.

Wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people due to their low price and environmental stewardship. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is more than many other heating options. Anyone who is concerned about the impact on the environment must consult a professional in outdoor wood burners to find out about the best models available that are both efficient and eco-friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed properly, could pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide that can cause respiratory problems and asthma. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Because of this, it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. They can make sure that your OWB is operating safely and is in compliance with local safety standards, which can help stop fires from happening in your home or any other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to only use dry and seasoned logs. It is also important to 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. Never burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they could release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, and those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could adversely affect the unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB can 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. Close any windows or doors that are near the stove and keep pets away from it.

It's recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every room of your house and test them frequently. You should also make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at the minimum once per month. For assistance with smoke and fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. As with any appliance that you use frequently, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

You will get the most out of your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Be sure to turn off the electricity and the fire before you begin cleaning. You should also prepare your tools before you start cleaning. This include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a brush, and an incredibly small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Each time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps to stop the build-up of a substance that could damage the inner layer of the steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required for cleaning.

You should also clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. It is better to empty the ash into a metal container than in a regular trash can, which is typically filled with plastics, trash and other materials. They may explode or ignite when the hot ashes are placed into the can.

Smoke from your wood burner may require a controlled airflow regularly, according to the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue, you may want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a job that can be difficult for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that is better left to the experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling lots of wood smoke.