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How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners, also called wood boilers, appear like small sheds that have an elongated smoke stack. They heat water or a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then circulated around your home. When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel heating. They still emit lots of smoke. Energy Efficiency Wood heat has been a popular option for heating homes for centuries. Today, with fluctuating fossil fuel prices, it is a cost-effective alternative for many. There aren't all wood boilers that have the same efficiency. As a rule models that employ wood gasification technology are more efficient than standard model outdoor wood furnaces (OWBs). There are a variety of factors that affect the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of the factors 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, and best for a year. Dry firewood is more efficient in releasing its heat into the air than wet green wood. It also burns more efficiently and emits less pollution. Another element is the boiler's combustion efficiency which is the percentage of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. It is typical for manufacturers to tout the efficiency of their combustion OWBs, however it is important to also look at the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood reaches your home. It is also crucial to properly operate the OWB 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 generated by the burner. Unlike indoor stoves that are installed within your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 and 200 feet away from your home. The heated water is then piped through insulated pipes into your home. The hot water is distributed throughout your home through a system that uses heat exchangers. Despite the disadvantages listed above, an OWB can be a highly efficient way to heat your home and save money on energy costs. To get the most from your OWB, select one that is high-efficiency and properly maintained. And don't forget that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean 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 grow to replace the ones that were burned for warmth. Wood emits carbon dioxide when it burns however, it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen for us to breathe. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants unlike fossil fuels. A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes sheds, and other buildings. They are also cost-effective, as they eliminate the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools which are perfect for relaxing in the winter. A majority of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved, making them an eco-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 extracts thermal energy from the ground or air and allows it to heat buildings and lessen the need for natural gas, propane or oil. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional wood stoves, and they are more efficient. However they require a continuous supply of raw materials to operate. Wood-burning heaters are still popular among some people due to their low price and eco-friendly. Many of the best models have an 85% efficiency rating, which is far higher than the majority of other heating alternatives. Anyone who is 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 A wood-burning stove, if not installed and maintained correctly, could create a significant fire risk. Smoke from a fire could contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that could cause health issues, including asthma and diminished lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. It is therefore important to employ professionals to install your wood stove. A professional should also check your chimney or stovepipe that burns wood on a regular schedule. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is working safely and is in compliance with local safety standards, which can keep fires from forming in your home or any other buildings on your property. It is essential to use dry, seasoned logs for burning wood in an OWB. To decrease the chance of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs clear of any debris or combustible materials such as paper or plastic. Never burn garbage, trash or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air. Although wood smoke has the potential to harm everyone, it is especially dangerous for teenagers, children, older adults and people who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart issues. It is also recommended that newly born pregnant mothers beware of exposure to wood smoke, as it can adversely affect their babies. Using an OWB can also cause annoyance to neighbors. Smoke from a fire can be blown through windows that are open according to the weather or winds. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is a good idea to shut any windows or doors that are near the stove, and to keep pets from the fire. It is recommended to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in each bedroom of your house and test them frequently. You should also have an escape plan for your family in place and practice it at least once a year. If you need help with smoke or 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 called outdoor wood heaters, or OWBs) are great for heating up and creating a warm, cozy ambience within your home. However, like any appliance you use regularly they require some care to ensure that they are running smoothly. Being on top of the maintenance of your outdoor wood stove will ensure that you get the maximum use from it. Cleaning the exterior, interior, and flue pipe is essential. Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the fire has been completely out of the way and that all electricity connected to the wood stove is off. You should also 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 toothbrush 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 will be produced. This residue should be cleaned regularly to maintain an optimal air flow through the combustion system. It also helps stop the build-up of a substance which can corrode the inner layers of the steel water jacket. Using a creosote removal product like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can help reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean. You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner each week. It is better to empty the ash into a steel Ash container rather than dumping it into a garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other materials that can ignite and explode when you put the hot ashes in the containers. Depending on indoor wood burning stove Fireplaces And Stove and amount of heat drawn from your wood burner, and the conditions in the air, you may need to control smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is an issue, you may want to have the flue pipe of your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a challenging task for anyone who wants to do it themselves. It is best left to experts to avoid health issues caused by smoking a lot of smoke from the wood stove.