What's The Ugly Truth About Outdoor Wood Burner
How to Properly Install and Maintain outdoor wood stove Fireplaces And Stove , often called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have the appearance of a small smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water that is then circulated throughout your home. When used in conjunction with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they still produce substantial amounts 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 choice for a lot of people. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same effectiveness. In general, models that utilize wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces. The energy efficiency of an OWB is affected by a variety of factors. One of them is the quality and quantity of firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and kept seasoned for at minimum six months; ideally, for a whole year. Dry firewood ejects more of its heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and releases less pollutants. Another element is the boiler's efficiency in combustion which is the percentage of heat energy converted into useful heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the combustion efficiency of their OWBs, but it's crucial to consider the delivered efficiency. The latter is a measurement of how much heat produced by the wood is delivered to your home. It is also essential to operate the OWB correctly to maximize its effectiveness. This includes cleaning and maintaining the 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 produced by the burner. In contrast to indoor stoves, which are installed in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your house. The heated water is piped through insulated pipes to your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that utilizes heat exchangers. Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB is an efficient way to heat your house and save you money on energy costs. Make sure you select a high-efficiency unit and follow proper maintenance procedures to get the most out of it. And don't forget that only dry, seasoned firewood is recommended to be burned in an OWB to avoid polluting the environment and damaging your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees will develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. Wood releases carbon dioxide when burned however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert the carbon dioxide 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 garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. These units are very 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 EPAapproved and CSA-certified which makes them a green 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. A substitute for a wood furnace is an electric heat pump which draws heat from the air or ground which allows it to heat buildings and lessen the requirement for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves and are also more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to operate. Wood-burning heaters are still in high demand with some people due to their low price and eco-friendly. The top models have an efficiency of 85% rating, which is far better than most other heating alternatives. Consult with a professional in outdoor wood burning to know about the most efficient and environmentally friendly models. Safety A wood burning stove when not maintained and installed correctly, could pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from fires can contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide that can cause asthma and respiratory issues. Smoke can also cause harm to carpets, furniture and clothing. It is therefore essential to employ professionals to install your wood stove. A professional should also examine your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood regularly. These professionals can ensure your OWB is in compliance with local safety standards and is operating safely. This will help to prevent fires from your home or other structures on your property. When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to only use dry and seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area around the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials, such as paper or plastic. Do not burn treated wood, garbage or trash as they can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Wood smoke poses danger to all, but it's particularly dangerous to children, teenagers and older adults as well as those suffering from respiratory or heart problems. It is also advised that pregnant women and new mothers avoid wood smoke as it could negatively affect their unborn child. Using an OWB could also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather conditions and winds smoke from a fireplace can be blown through windows that are not closed. It can also cause irritation to nose and eyes. Close any doors or windows that are close to the stove, and keep pets away from it. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every bedroom of your home is an excellent idea. Test them regularly. You should also have a family escape plan in place and test it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or fire restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office. We can help restore smoke-damaged homes or businesses to pre-fire state. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces (also called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating your home and creating a cozy warm ambience inside your home. But like any appliance that you use regularly they require some care to ensure they run smoothly. Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment from it. Regularly cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is essential. Before you begin any cleaning, ensure that the fire is completely out of the way and that all electrical power to the wood stove is shut off. You should also prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a brush, and an incredibly small shovel as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket. When you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote is produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps to keep from the accumulation of a chemical that can cause corrosion to the inner layers of the steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool such as Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to clean. You'll have to clean the ash container of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel container for ash instead of throwing it in a regular garbage container that is filled with plastics, trash and other items that could ignite and explode if you put the ashes that are hot in the containers. Based on the type and amount of heat generated by your wood burner, and the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If you are concerned about smoke you should think about having the flue pipe on your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers and is a task that is better done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.