It's The Ugly The Truth About Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners are commonly called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds with an elongated smokestack. They provide heat to water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house. When combined with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an eco-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still generate an enormous amount of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since the beginning of time, wood has been used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is an affordable choice for a lot of people. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. There are several elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months and ideally, for the entire year. outdoor wood burning stove releases more heat into the atmosphere than wet, green firewood. It also burns more efficiently and creates less pollution. The boiler's rate of combustion is a different factor. This is the proportion of heat converted by the stove into usable heat. Many manufacturers advertise their OWBs' combustion efficiencies however, it is vital to determine the efficiency of the product delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat from the wood gets to your home. It is also essential to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner. In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly within your office or home, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is a highly efficient method of heating your home, and it can save you money on your energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your unit, choose one that is high-efficiency and properly maintained. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will sprout to replace those which were burned to provide warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when it is burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees and then transform it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood does not produce any other environmental pollution. Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds, and other structures. They are extremely cost-effective as they eliminate the need to pay costly utility bills. They can also be used to heat a pool or hot tub as well as provide a tranquil space to relax in the winter months. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are 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. Electric heat pumps are an 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 propane, oil or natural gas. These heat pumps are more eco-friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to function. Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand among some people due to 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 should consult a professional in outdoor wood burning to find out the best models available that are both efficient and environmentally friendly. Safety If it is not properly maintained and installed the wood burning stove can pose a major danger to fire. The smoke from a fire may be contaminated by carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that may cause health issues, such as asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also cause a hazard to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner. A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe for wood burning on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with local safety standards, which can help prevent fires from occurring in your home or any other structures on your property. It is essential to use dry, seasoned logs when burning wood in an OWB. It is also important to keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials like plastic or paper, to avoid fire hazards. Don't burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as they can release a number of harmful pollutants into the air. While wood smoke is able to harm everyone but it is especially harmful for children, teenagers, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid smoking cigarettes as it could negatively affect their unborn child. Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds, smoke from a fire could blow through open windows. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. Close any doors or windows close to the stove, and keep pets away from it. Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Make sure to test them regularly. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and do it at least once per year. For help with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. 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 heaters or OWBs) are great for heating and creating a warm, cozy space inside your home. Like any appliance you regularly use they require some care to keep them running smoothly. Being on top of your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the most enjoyment from it. The primary cleaning requirements of your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the electricity and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. You will also want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin cleaning. These should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home) Safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket. Each time you use wood in your outdoor wood burner, it releases creosote residue, which must be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain optimum air flow through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance that can corrode the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote remover like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean the process. You will need to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel ash container instead of dumping it into a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode when you place the hot ashes inside the containers. Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat being attracted from your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is an issue it is recommended to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned frequently. This is a task that can be a challenge for DIYers, and is a task that is better left to experts to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.