13 Things You Should Know About Outdoor Wood Burner That You Might Not Know

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They are heated by water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze, which is then circulated throughout your house. When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still produce a lot of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since the beginning of time, wood heat has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a cost-effective option for many people. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same efficiency. In general models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard models outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs). The efficiency of energy used by an OWB is influenced by a variety of factors. One is the quality of the wood utilized. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months; ideally, for a year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns cleaner and releases less pollutants. Another aspect is the boiler's efficiency in combustion, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to consider the delivered efficiency. This is a measure of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home. It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue vent should be cleaned at least once a week during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and avoid clogging. In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then pumped through pipes that are insulated to get to your home. The hot water is distributed through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient way to heat your home and can help you save money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and maintain it properly. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to stop it from polluting the environment and damaging your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a more environmentally 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 that were burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees that convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. The burning of wood produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels. A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, and other buildings. They are cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a space to relax in winter. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-friendly 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 viable alternative to wood furnaces. They draw thermal energy from the air or the ground and can be used to heat buildings and decrease the need for oil, propane, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as environmentally friendly, but they require a steady supply of raw materials to perform efficiently. Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low price and eco-friendly. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is much better than most other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally green models. Safety A wood burning stove in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, can pose a serious fire risk. Smoke from a fire can be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health problems, including asthma and diminished lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. This is why it is essential to engage a professional to install your wood burner. A professional should also inspect your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating safely and is in compliance with the local safety regulations. This can help keep fires from forming in your home or any other buildings on your property. It is essential to use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should ensure that the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, such as plastic or paper. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air. Wood smoke is harmful to anyone, but it's particularly harmful to teenagers, children and older adults and those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could adversely affect their unborn baby. Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Based on the weather and wind smoke from a fire can fly through windows. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. It is a good idea to close any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the fire. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your home is a great idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners, or OWBs, are ideal to heat your home using a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. Like any appliance you use regularly, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly. You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if you maintain it on a regular basis. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Make sure you turn off the electricity and fire prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to prepare your tools before you begin cleaning – these should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a brush and a 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 that needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and also to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required for the cleaning process. wood burning stove outdoor is also necessary to clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to empty the ash in metal containers rather than a regular trash can, which is typically filled with trash, plastics and other items. These could explode or ignite when the hot ashes are put into the can. Based on the type and amount of heat attracted from your wood burner, as well as the conditions in the air, you may need to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a problem you should think about having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that could result from breathing in a lot of smoke from the wood stove.