How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small wall mounted wood burning stove sheds with an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home.

When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. They still generate a lot of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. However, not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. As a general rule models that employ wood gasification technology are much more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are many elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of them is the quality of the firewood utilized. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and thoroughly seasoned for at least six months, and ideally for a full year. Dry firewood is more efficient at releasing heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollutants.

Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers boast about their OWBs' combustion efficiency however, it is vital to check the delivered efficiency as well. The latter is a measurement of how much heat generated by the wood burning stove reaches your home.

In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning it and maintaining the vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a regular basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the best Wood burning stoves amount of smoke generated by the burner.

Contrary to stoves that are indoor that are located in your home, an OWB is located between 100 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 an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages discussed above, an OWB is a highly efficient way to heat your home and help you save money on your energy bills. Make sure you select a high-efficiency model and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most out of it. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from destroying your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a more environmentally friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will be planted to replace the ones which were burned to provide warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it is burned, but this is reabsorbed by other trees and plants, which then convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. In contrast to fossil fuels, burning of wood does not create any other environmental pollution.

Wood furnaces can be utilized to heat garages, homes, sheds and other structures. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools that are ideal for relaxing in the winter months. These heaters are EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them a green option 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.

A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump, which draws heat from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more sustainable than traditional wood stoves and they're more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function.

Wood-burning heaters remain popular with some people because of their low price and environmental stewardship. Many of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than other heating options. Those who are concerned about the environment need to speak with a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the most effective models available, which are both efficient and environmentally friendly.

Safety

If not properly maintained and installed, a wood-burning stove could pose a serious danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may contain toxins, carbon monoxide and fine particles that could cause health problems, including asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. It is therefore essential to hire professionals to install your wood stove.

A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This can help stop fires from happening in your home or other buildings on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry, seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these 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, as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect their unborn baby.

Utilizing an OWB can cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can blow through windows that are not closed in response to weather conditions or the wind. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the flame.

It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home and test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and test it at least once a year. For assistance with smoke and restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire state.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood burning stove clearance sale heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating up and creating a cozy warm ambience inside your home. Like any appliance you regularly use, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly.

Maintaining your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use out of it. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. It is also important to gather your supplies prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a brush and a small shovel, as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket.

Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote that must be cleaned regularly to ensure that the airflow is optimal through the combustion system and to stop the accumulation of a substance that corrodes the steel's inner layers in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal product such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean.

You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burning stove sale burner each week. It is more efficient to dispose of the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. These could spark or explode if the hot ashes are put into the can.

Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions depending on the weather, you may have to control smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke, you will want to consider having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This isn't an easy task for a DIYer. It is best to leave it to experts to avoid health issues that could result from inhaling a lot wood smoke.