11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners, often called wood boilers, look like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They provide heat to 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 can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Wood heat has been a popular choice for heating homes for a long time. With the fluctuating costs of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive alternative for many. Wood boilers are not all built with the same effectiveness. As a rule, models that use wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs).

There are a variety of elements that affect the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six months at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the atmosphere than green, wet wood. It also burns more efficiently and produces less pollution.

The boiler's combustion rate is another aspect. This is the amount of heat that is converted by the stove into usable heat. It is standard for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to also look at the efficiency of the product. The latter is a measurement of how much available heat that is generated by the wood gets to the home.

It is also essential to operate the OWB properly to maximize its efficiency. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent regularly. The flue must be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid clogging and reduce the amount of smoke produced by the burner.

In contrast to stoves for indoor use that are installed directly in your home or office, an OWB can be set up anywhere between 90 and 200 feet from your home. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your home through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers.

Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy bills. To maximize the efficiency of your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Don't forget to only burn dry and seasoned wood in an OWB. This will keep the firewood from damaging your home and polluting the air.

Environmentally Friendly

Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees are able to grow and replace the ones that were burning for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it burns however, 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 doesn't create any other environmental pollutants.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages sheds, homes and other structures. They are extremely 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 winter months. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them a green 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 extract thermal energy from the air or the ground, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their need for propane, oil, or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves, and are regarded as green, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to perform properly.

Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people because of their low price and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85% which is higher than many other heating options. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and eco friendly models.

Safety

If not properly installed and maintained the wood burning stove could pose a serious fire hazard. The smoke from fires can contain toxic substances, fine particles and carbon monoxide, which could cause respiratory problems and asthma. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets, furniture and clothing. This is why it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

It is also a good idea to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney, stovepipe and wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB is working safely and that it meets the local safety regulations. This will help to stop fires from happening in your home or other structures on your property.

When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to select dry, seasoned logs. Also, keep the area around the logs free of combustible and debris like paper or plastic, to minimize the risk of fire. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber, as these can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.

Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly harmful to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also recommended that pregnant women and newly-wed mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke since it could adversely affect their unborn baby.

Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are not closed depending on the weather or winds. It can also irritate nose and eyes. Close all doors and windows close to the stove and keep pets away from it.

Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your home is an excellent idea. Test them regularly. Also, you should have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with blaze and smoke restoration services. We can help restore your smoke-damaged property 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 a renewable energy source and creating a warm, cozy environment. However, like any appliance is used regularly they need some attention to keep them running smoothly.

Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the best enjoyment from it. The basic cleaning needs of your wood stove include cleaning the exterior, interior and flue pipe on a regular basis. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. Before you begin cleaning, gather all the materials you need. These should include newspaper to cover the floor in your home along with safety gloves, and a brush.

Every time you burn wood on your  outdoor wood stove , creosote is produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to maintain the proper air flow within the combustion system. It also helps keep from the accumulation of a substance that could corrode the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort needed to clean.

You will also need to clear the ash tank on your wood burner on a regular basis. It is better to empty the ash into a metal container for ash instead of throwing it into a garbage bin that is stuffed with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in them.

Smoke from your wood burner may require a controlled airflow regularly, according to the type of wood you use, the amount of heat is being drawn and the conditions of the air. If smoke is an issue, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This can be a difficult task for a do-it yourselfer. It is best to leave it to professionals to avoid health problems caused by inhaling a lot wood smoke.