The 10 Scariest Things About Outdoor Wood Burner

How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners, sometimes called wood boilers, appear like small sheds with an elongated smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated through your home. When EPA-approved outdoor wood boilers are utilized with dry wood, they are an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. However, they still produce a significant amount of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since the beginning of time, wood heat was used to warm homes. Today, with fluctuating prices for fossil fuels, it is a reasonable option for many people. Not all wood boilers have the same efficiency. As a rule models that utilize wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs). There are several elements that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of these is the quality of the firewood used. It is essential to select only firewood that has been seasoned and dried for at least six month at the very least for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than green, wet wood. It also burns cleaner and emits less pollution. The boiler's rate of combustion is a different factor. This is the percentage of heat converted by the stove into useful heat. It is typical for manufacturers to advertise the efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to look at the efficiency that is delivered. The latter is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home. It is also important to operate the OWB properly to maximize its effectiveness. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue on a regular basis. The flue should be cleaned on a weekly basis during the heating season to avoid blockages and to reduce the amount of smoke generated by the burner. In contrast to indoor stoves that are installed directly within your home, an OWB is set up between 90 and 200 feet away from your house. The 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 throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and reduce your energy bills. Just make sure that you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean is recommended to be burned in an OWB to prevent it from harming the environment and your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels, such as propane, gasoline, and oil. It is a renewable resource, which means that new trees are able to develop and replace the ones burning for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. Wood burning produces no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels. A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. These units are also very cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for expensive utility bills. They can also be used to heat hot tubs and pools and provide a space to relax during the winter months. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green choice 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 extracts thermal energy from the air or ground, allowing it to warm buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. These heat pumps are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and they're more efficient. However they require a constant supply of raw materials to function. Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low cost and environmental friendliness. Many of the best models have 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 eco green models. Safety If not properly installed and maintained the wood burning stove can be a significant risk of fire. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, such as asthma and reduced lung function. In addition, smoke can be harmful to carpets, furniture, and clothing. Because of this, it is important to hire a professional to install your wood burner. It is recommended to have a professional conduct an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. They can make sure that your OWB is in compliance with the local safety standards and is operating in a safe way. This will help to prevent fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property. When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to use only dry and seasoned logs. It is also important to keep the area around the logs clear of combustible and debris like plastic or paper, to reduce the risk of fire. Do not burn treated lumber, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. While wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for children, teenagers older adults, as well as those with respiratory diseases or heart conditions. It is also recommended that newly born and expecting mothers avoid exposure to wood smoke, as it can negatively affect their babies. Using an OWB could also be a source of trouble for neighbors. Smoke from a fire may blow through windows that are open according to the weather or the wind. It can also irritate the nose and eyes. It is recommended to shut all windows and doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets away from the flame. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in each bedroom of your house is also an excellent idea. Check them frequently. It is also recommended to develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at the minimum every month. Contact your local PuroClean branch for help with smoke and blaze restoration services. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home with renewable energy sources and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Like any appliance is used regularly they need some attention to ensure that they are running smoothly. Keeping up with your outdoor wood stove maintenance will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. Regularly cleaning the exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you do any cleaning, be sure that the fire is out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is turned off. It is also important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies prior to beginning cleaning – these include newspapers (to cover the floor of your home), safety gloves, a brush and an incredibly small shovel as along with a metal ash container instead of a bucket. Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the build-up of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products such as Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean. You should also clean out the ash container on your wood burner on a weekly basis. Fireplaces And Stove is more efficient to dispose of the ash in an aluminum container rather than the regular trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other materials. They may ignite or explode when the hot ashes are placed in the container. Depending on the type and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, and the weather conditions it is possible to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue, you may want to make sure that the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a task that can be a challenge for the do-it-yourselfer and is likely to be a task that is better done by professionals to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.