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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 with a short smoke stack. They are used to heat water or a mixture of antifreeze and water which is then circulated around your home. When outdoor wood boilers approved by the EPA are made of dry wood, they can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They still generate a lot of smoke. Energy Efficiency Since centuries, wood heat was used to warm homes. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels, wood heat is an attractive alternative for a lot of. However, not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. There are several factors that impact the energy efficiency of an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is important to select 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 more efficiently and creates less pollution. Another aspect is the boiler's combustion efficiency, which is the percentage of heat energy converted into usable heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' efficiency in combustion however it is crucial to look for the efficiency that is delivered. This is a measure of how much heat generated by the wood gets to your home. Finally, it is important to operate the OWB to maximize its effectiveness. This includes keeping it clean and maintaining the flue vent on a regular basis. The flue must also be cleaned weekly during the heating season in order to reduce the amount of smoke produced by the stove and to prevent obstruction. 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 water that is heated in the OWB is then run through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then circulated through a system of heat exchange units to provide warmth throughout your home. Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, an OWB can be an extremely efficient method of heating your home and save money on energy bills. Make sure you choose a high-efficiency unit and follow the proper maintenance guidelines to get the most out of it. Remember that only dry wood that is seasoned and clean should be burned in an OWB to avoid harming the environment and your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a green alternative to burning fossil fuels such as propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable resource which means that new trees can develop and replace the ones burned for warmth. When wood is burnt, it releases carbon dioxide but this is reabsorbed and transformed back into oxygen by other plants. The combustion of wood creates no other environmental pollutants, unlike fossil fuels. Wood furnaces can be utilized for heating garages, homes sheds and other structures. These units are also very economical as they remove the need for costly utility bills. These heaters can be used to heat hot tubs and pools, which are great to relax in wintertime. A lot of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved which makes them 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. Electric heat pumps are an alternative to wood furnaces. They extract heat from the ground or air, which allows them to heat buildings and decrease their use of oil, propane or natural gas. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as environmentally friendly, but they require a continuous supply of raw materials in order to work efficiently. However, Modern wood burning stoves -burning heating is still popular with a few people because of its low price and eco-friendly. The most efficient models have an efficiency rating of 85 percent, which is better than the majority of 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 if not installed and maintained properly, can be a fire hazard. Smoke from fires could contain toxins, fine particles, and carbon monoxide, which could cause asthma and respiratory problems. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. This is why it is crucial to employ a professional to install your wood burner. It is also a good idea to have a professional perform an inspection of your chimney or stovepipe or wood-burning appliance regularly. These professionals can ensure that your OWB is operating safely and that it meets local safety regulations, which can help stop fires from happening in your home or any other structures on your property. When burning wood in an OWB it is essential to select dry well-seasoned logs. To minimize the risk of fire, you should keep the area surrounding the logs free of debris or combustible materials like paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber, as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air. Wood smoke is dangerous to all, but it's particularly dangerous to teenagers, children and older adults and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions. It is also recommended that all new pregnant mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood because it could adversely affect their babies. Using an OWB could also cause trouble to your neighbors. Depending on the weather and winds smoke from a fire could fly through windows. It can also irritate the eyes and noses. It is a good idea to shut all windows and doors near the stove and to keep pets away from the fire. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke alarms in every room of your house is also a great idea. Check them frequently. Also, you should make a family evacuation strategy and practice it at minimum once per month. If you need help with smoke or restoration services for fires, call your local PuroClean office. We can restore your damaged property or business to its pre-fire state. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces, also referred to as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal for heating your home with an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. But like any appliance that you use regularly they require some care to keep them running smoothly. You'll get the most out of your outdoor wood stove when you maintain it regularly. The most basic requirements for cleaning your wood stove is cleaning the interior, exterior and flue pipe regularly. Make sure you turn off the power and the fire before you begin cleaning. You will also want to prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning. These should include newspapers (to cover the floor of your house) Safety gloves, a toothbrush and a small shovel as well as a metal ash container instead of a bucket. Every time you burn wood on your outdoor wood stove, creosote will be produced. This residue needs to be cleaned frequently to ensure optimal air flow in the combustion system. It also helps keep from the build-up of a substance that could damage the inner layer of the steel within the water jacket. Creosote Removal Products like Creosote buster sticks can reduce the time and effort required to clean. You will need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash into a metal ash container instead of dumping it in a regular garbage bin that is stuffed with trash, plastics and other materials that could ignite and explode if you put the hot ashes inside the containers. Depending on the type and amount of heat attracted from your wood burner, as well as the atmospheric conditions it is possible to manage smoke on a regular basis. If smoke is a concern it is recommended to look into having the flue pipe of your wood stove professionally cleaned regularly as well. This is a job that can be difficult for the do-it-yourselfer and is a task that should be left to the experts to avoid any health issues caused by breathing in a lot of smoke from your wood stove.