How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They look like small wood burning stove for shed sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze that is then circulated throughout your home.

When outdoor wood boilers that are EPA-approved are used with dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still generate lots of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since the beginning of time, wood was used to warm homes. With fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a reasonable choice for a lot of people. However not all wood boilers are equal in terms of efficiency. As a rule models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces.

The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is affected by several factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of the 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 atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns better and produces less pollutants.

Another factor is the boiler's efficiency in combustion (or percentage) of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however it is crucial to check the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood gets to your home.

Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and ensuring that the vent is maintained regularly. The flue must be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent clogging.

In contrast to stoves for indoor wood burner stove use that are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is 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 disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a very efficient method of heating your home and can help you save money on your energy bills. Be sure to select a high-efficiency model and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most benefit of it. Be sure to burn dry, seasoned wood in an OWB. This will prevent the wood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more eco sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, meaning that new trees will sprout to replace the ones which were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it burns, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollutant.

Wood furnaces can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds, and other structures. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay high utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools that are ideal for relaxing in wintertime. These heaters are EPAand CSA-approved and are a green 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.

An alternative to a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and decrease the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. 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 efficiently.

However, wood-burning heaters are still popular with some people because of its low price and eco-friendly. Many of the best models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far superior to other heating alternatives. Those who are concerned about the environment should talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burning to find out the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

A wood burning stove if not installed and maintained properly, can create a significant fire risk. Smoke from fires can contain contaminants, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which can cause asthma and respiratory problems. Smoke can also contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore important to get a professional to install your wood stove.

A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney on a regular schedule. These experts can ensure that your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This can help avoid fires from happening in your home, or in other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry, seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air.

While wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can adversely affect their babies.

Using an OWB could also be a nuisance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may travel through windows that are not closed according to the weather or the wind. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut any windows or doors near the woodburning stove - additional resources,, and to keep pets away from the flame.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home using renewable energy sources and creating a warm and cozy environment. Like any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the best enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Before you begin any cleaning, make sure that the fire is completely gone and all electricity to the wood stove is turned off. You should also prepare your tools before you start cleaning - these should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a toothbrush and an incredibly small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket.

Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it produces creosote residue, which must be regularly cleaned to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system as well as to prevent the buildup of a substance that corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required for cleaning.

You'll have to clean the ash tank of your wood burner each week. It is best to empty the ash into an iron container for ash instead of throwing it into a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash, and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the ashes that are hot in them.

Smoke from your wood stove may require to be controlled regularly, dependent on the type of wood used, the amount of heat is being drawn and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned on a regular basis. This is a job that isn't easy for DIYers, and is likely to be a task which is best done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling a lot of wood smoke.