10 Quick Tips About Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have a short smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around 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 Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same effectiveness. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One factor is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a full year. Dry firewood releases more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution. Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to look at the efficiency of the product. This is a measure of how much heat from the wood is delivered to your home. It is also essential to operate the OWB in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the stove and to prevent clogging. Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are located within your home, an OWB is installed between 90 and 200 feet from your home. 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 utilizes heat exchangers. Despite the negatives discussed above, an OWB can be an extremely effective way to heat your house and save you money on energy costs. Be sure to select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Make sure to only burn dry well-seasoned wood in an OWB. This will stop the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will be planted to replace the ones that were burned for warmth. When wood is burned it emits carbon dioxide, but it is then absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. 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, since they eliminate the need for expensive energy bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pool that are ideal for relaxing in winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified and are 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 ground or air which allows them to heat buildings and reduce the need for oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However, they require a constant supply of raw materials to operate. Nevertheless, 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 percent, which is better than other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally green models. Safety If not properly installed and maintained, a wood-burning stove can be a significant fire hazard. The smoke from a fire may contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your wood stove. It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. These professionals can ensure your OWB meets local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home, or in other structures on your property. It is crucial to only use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials, like paper or plastic. 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 anyone, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults, as well as people who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that newly born pregnant mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke as it may adversely affect their babies. Using an OWB can also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Based on the weather and the wind, smoke from a fire can fly through windows. It can also irritate eyes and noses. wood burner stoves is a good idea to shut all windows and doors near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house is also an excellent idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to have a family escape plan 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 help restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its 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 environment. Like all appliances that you use frequently, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly. You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the items you require. These include newspapers to cover the floor of your home along with safety gloves and a brush. Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote gets produced. This residue must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to stop the accumulation of a substance that could cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort needed for cleaning. You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it into a garbage can that is filled with trash, plastics and other items that could ignite and explode if you place the ashes that are hot in the containers. Based on the type and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a concern you should consider getting the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This is a job that can be difficult for DIYers, and is probably a job which is best done by experts to avoid any health issues caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.