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How to Properly Install and Maintain an Outdoor Wood Burner Outdoor wood burners are typically called wood boilers. They resemble small sheds that have an elongated smokestack. They heat water, or a mix of antifreeze and water, which is then circulated throughout your house. When used with dry wood and EPA-approved outdoor boilers they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil heating. However, they do produce a significant amount of smoke. Energy Efficiency Wood heat has been a popular choice to heat homes for centuries. With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels wood heat is an attractive option for many. However, not all wood boilers are with the same efficiency. In general models that make use of wood gasification are more efficient than standard outdoor wood furnaces. There are several factors that impact the efficiency of energy used by an OWB. One of the factors is the quality and quantity of the firewood. It is crucial to choose only firewood that has been dried and seasoned for at least six months, and best for a full year. Dry firewood releases more heat into the air than wet, green wood. It also burns cleaner and releases less pollutants. Another factor is the boiler's combustion efficiency (or percentage) of heat energy converted into heat by the stove. Many manufacturers promote their OWBs' combustion efficiency, but it is important to determine the efficiency of the product delivered. This is a measure of how much heat produced by the wood reaches your home. In the end, it is essential to ensure that you are operating the OWB to ensure its efficiency. This means keeping it clean and maintaining the vent for the flue regularly. The flue vent should also be cleaned weekly during the heating season to minimize the amount of smoke produced by the stove and prevent the clogging. Unlike indoor stoves that are installed directly in your office or home, an OWB can be installed anywhere between 90 to 200 feet from your home. The hot water that is heated in the OWB is then piped through pipes that are insulated before it is delivered to your home. The hot water is then distributed throughout your house through an appliance that makes use of heat exchangers. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, an OWB is an extremely efficient method of heating your home and can reduce your energy bills. To get the most value from your OWB, select one that is efficient and maintain it in a proper manner. Remember that only dry, seasoned firewood should be burned in an OWB to stop it from polluting the environment and damaging your home. Environmentally Friendly Wood is a greener and more friendly option to burning fossil fuels like propane, gasoline and oil. It is a renewable source which means that new trees will sprout to replace the ones which were burned to provide warmth. small wood burning stoves emits carbon dioxide when it is burned but it is absorbed by other plants and trees, which then convert it back into oxygen to allow us to breathe. As opposed to fossil fuels burning of wood doesn't generate any other environmental pollution. A wood furnace can be used to heat garages, homes, sheds and other buildings. These units are very cost-effective since they eliminate the need to pay expensive utility bills. They can be used to heat a pool or hot tub and provide a place to unwind in winter. Many of these heaters are EPA and CSA approved and are therefore a green option for home heating. 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 reduce the requirement for propane, natural gas or oil. These heat pumps are more efficient than traditional wood stoves and are seen as eco-friendly, however they require a continuous supply of raw materials to perform efficiently. Wood-burning heaters remain popular for some due to their low cost and eco-friendly. A majority of the top models come with an 85% efficiency rating, which is much higher than the majority of other heating options. People who are concerned about the environment should talk to a specialist in outdoor wood burners to learn about the most effective models available that are efficient and eco-friendly. Safety A wood-burning stove, when not maintained and installed correctly, could pose a serious fire risk. The smoke from a fire may contain carbon monoxide, toxins and fine particles that can cause health issues, including asthma and a reduced lung function. Smoke can also be harmful to carpets as well as furniture and clothing. For these reasons, it is essential to engage an expert to install your wood burner. A professional should also inspect your wood-burning stovepipe or chimney on a regular schedule. They can make sure that your OWB is operating in a safe manner and that it is compliant with the local safety regulations. This will help to keep fires from forming within your home or other structures on your property. When burning wood in an OWB it is crucial to use only dry and seasoned logs. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the area around the logs free of debris or combustible material, like paper or plastic. Do not burn trash, garbage or treated lumber as they could release a variety of harmful pollutants into the air. Although wood smoke has the potential to harm anyone however, it is particularly dangerous for teenagers, children older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory illnesses or heart problems. It is also recommended that new and expecting mothers stay clear of exposure to smoke from wood because it could negatively affect their unborn babies. Using an OWB could also cause annoyance to your neighbors. Smoke from a fireplace can blow through windows that are open in response to weather conditions or winds. It can also cause irritation to eyes and noses. It is a good idea to shut any windows or doors 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. You should also develop a family evacuation plan and practice it at very least once a month. For assistance with smoke and restoration services after a fire, contact your local PuroClean office. We can restore your smoke-damaged home or business to its pre-fire condition. Maintenance Wood burning furnaces, also known as outdoor wood burners or OWBs are ideal to heat your home using an energy source that is renewable and creating a warm cozy atmosphere. Like any appliance is used regularly, they require some maintenance to ensure that they are running smoothly. You'll benefit the most from your outdoor wood stove if maintain it on a regular basis. Cleaning your wood stove's exterior flue, interior, and pipe is a must. Be sure to turn off the electricity and fire before you begin cleaning. You will also want to prepare your tools prior to beginning cleaning – these should include newspaper (to cover the floor of your house), safety gloves, a brush, and an incredibly small shovel as well as a ash-filled metal container instead of a bucket. Every time you burn wood in your outdoor wood burner, it creates creosote residue, which must be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal air flow through the combustion system and to prevent the buildup of a substance which corrodes the inner layers of steel in the water jacket. Using a creosote removal tool like Creosote Buster sticks in your fire can reduce the amount of time and effort required to clean the process. You'll need to clean the ash tank of your wood burner every week. It is better to empty the ash in an aluminum container rather than the standard trash can which is usually filled with plastics, trash and other items. They could explode or ignite when the ashes are hot when placed in the can. Based on the type of fuel and amount of heat being generated by your wood burner, as well as the weather conditions, you may need to manage smoke on a regular schedule. If smoke is a problem you might want to ensure that the flue pipe on your wood stove cleaned regularly. This is a job that can be a challenge for DIYers, and is a task which is best done by professionals to avoid any health problems caused by inhaling lots of smoke from wood.