Why We Our Love For Wood Burning Stove (And You Should Also!)

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a carbon-free renewable source of heat that can help you save money on your energy bills. They also help with active woodland management that benefits wildlife.

However, if they aren't properly maintained and installed, they can create carbon monoxide which can pose health risks to the family. To avoid this, pick a wood stove that is EPA certified and uses the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is equipped with an encapsulated catalyst that converts the smoke of wood into carbon dioxide and water. This is a great choice for those who want to cut down on the air pollution in their homes while saving money. They consume less fuel, burn faster and produce less creosote. They can be more costly to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance on the combustion chamber.

EPA-Certified Wood Stoves

The EPA requires that wood stoves are designed according to specific guidelines that limit their emissions. In accordance with these guidelines, a catalytic stove must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This compares to 4.1 grams per hour for a non-catalytic stove. It is important to note that lower emissions ratings don't translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is vital to make sure your wood stove is properly sized for the home in which it is installed. A bio ethanol stove that is not properly sized will not function as intended and could overheat. A properly sized stove improves heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure purchasing an EPA-certified wood Stove (PDF 530K) provides a convenient method of sizing and choosing the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove produced was the non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood-burning stoves, or open fire Stove stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it does not require an additional combustion to reduce emissions. However, a substantial amount of energy wasted is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves contains a toxic substance known as creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove reduced these issues. The catalytic wood stove uses catalysts to burn off the gases in the smoke and eliminates toxic creosote.

While the catalytic wood stove was created to reduce toxic emissions however, it isn't as efficient as the secondary burn system that is found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst does produce some unhealthy fumes because it doesn't completely burn the byproducts of burning wood. The honeycomb structure may break down with time. This can result in a decrease in performance and the necessity for replacement.

Cleaning the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is functioning properly will appear to be as a grayish powder. It should be free of soot, ash or any other material that could plug up the catalytic surfaces, and reduce their surface area. The combustor should not be subject to flame impingement. This could occur when a powerful, fast draft pulls flames directly into a catalytic convertor. This could also happen when the firebox's door or ash pan's door has been left open.

It is crucial to inspect the catalytic combustor for physical damage and a need to be replaced. If the catalytic combustor is damaged or requires to be replaced, it should be done as soon as is possible for optimal performance.