Are You Responsible For The Outdoor Wood Burner Budget? 10 Unfortunate Ways To Spend Your Money How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner

Outdoor wood burners are often called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that is then circulated throughout your home.

When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can provide an eco-friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. However, they still produce substantial amounts of smoke.

Energy Efficiency

Since centuries, wood heat has been used to heat homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels it is a cost-effective alternative for many. However not all wood boilers are to be equally efficient. As a rule models that use wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces.

There are several factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of these is the quality of the wood that is used. It is essential to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months, and best for a full year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns more efficiently 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. It is typical for manufacturers to promote the efficiency of their OWBs, however it is important to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home.

In the end, it is essential to properly operate the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means cleaning it and ensuring that the vent is maintained regularly. The flue vent should be cleaned every week during the heating season to reduce the amount smoke produced by the stove and to prevent the clogging.

Unlike indoor stoves, which sit directly inside your home, an OWB is located between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water in the OWB is then run through insulated pipes to 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 very efficient method of heating your home and save you money on your energy bills. To get the most value from your unit, choose one that is energy efficient and properly maintained. Don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from creating pollution and causing damage to your home.


Environmentally Friendly

Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones that were burned to provide warmth. When wood is burned it releases carbon dioxide, however, it is absorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollution.

A wood furnace can be used to heat homes, garages, sheds and other buildings. They are extremely economical as they do away with the need to pay costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs or pools, which are great to relax in winter. These heaters are EPA- and CSA-approved and are an environmentally friendly 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 air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and decrease the need for propane, natural gas or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and are also more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to perform their job.

Wood-burning heaters remain popular among some people due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. A majority of the most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85%, which is better than other heating alternatives. Talk to an expert in outdoor wood burning to learn about the most efficient and environmentally sustainable models.

Safety

A wood-burning stove, in the event of not being installed and maintained properly, could create a significant fire risk. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, such as asthma and diminished lung function. In addition, smoke can contaminate furniture, carpeting and clothing. For modern wood burning stove , it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner.

A professional should also examine your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating safely. This can help prevent fires from your home, or in other structures on your property.

It is important to only use dry, seasoned wood for burning wood in an OWB. Also, keep the area around the logs clear of debris and combustible materials such as plastic or paper, to avoid the risk of fire. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber as they can release a range of harmful pollutants into the air.

Although wood smoke is able to harm anyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people suffering from respiratory or heart issues. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood, as it can adversely affect their babies.

Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to neighbors. Depending on the weather and wind, smoke from a fire can blow through open windows. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. Close all doors and windows that are near the stove, and keep pets away from it.

Installing smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in every room of your home is an excellent idea. Test them regularly. It is also recommended to make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum once per month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for assistance with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire condition.

Maintenance

Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters or OWBs) are excellent for heating and creating a cozy, warm space in your home. However, like any appliance you use regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly.

You will benefit from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it regularly. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior, interior, and flue pipe is a must. Be sure to turn off the power and the fire prior to beginning cleaning. It is also important to prepare your tools before you begin cleaning. These should include newspapers (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.

When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue must be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance that could corrode the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can cut down the time and effort required to clean.

You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal Ash container rather than dumping it in a regular garbage can that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes inside them.

Smoke from your wood burner may need to be controlled on a regular basis according to the type of wood used, how much heat is being drawn in and the conditions of the air. If smoke is a concern you should look into having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned on a regular basis as well. This can be a difficult task for a DIYer. It is best left to professionals to avoid health issues that could result from inhaling a lot smoke from wood.