What Experts In The Field Would Like You To Know?

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be an attractive addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion let air in below and above the fuel, resulting in the loss of energy, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves use an advanced combustion method that splits air supply into two stages. This enables more efficient heating while reducing emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in wood stoves is a measure of how well your wood is transformed into heat. It differs from heating transfer efficiency, which is the quantity of heat that flows from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency in combustion and heating transfer will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, including ash, carbon monoxide, and steam.

Modern wood stoves generally feature high combustion efficiency due to their sophisticated design features that allow them to maximize the burn and make use of less wood. They also have low emission levels and are especially effective when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor to clean emissions as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a good option for homeowners who wish to minimize their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.

Proper operation and maintenance can improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood frequently and maintaining a steady flame in the stove. This will prevent the buildup of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another crucial aspect in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried, seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent. Dry, seasoned wood will not only offer more heat for the same fuel and will produce fewer air pollution emissions and generate less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount smoke and other pollutants a new stove may emit in an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion, or catalytic combustor, to reduce the amount of pollution and to meet EPA guidelines. To find a wood stove that meets the EPA emission standards, look for one that has an EPA certification sticker and has a smoke emission rate of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves use a special honeycombed combustor made from ceramic coated with noble metals, such as platinum or palladium. The combustor is similar to the catalyst in your car that cleans its exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react to particulates and chemicals in the smoke breaking them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models without sacrificing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is most efficient when the gas temperature in the flue is 1,000degF or greater. When the fire is lit at a low temperature the gases in the stove do not reach this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials can cause "masking", which is a covering of the combustor's cells by a substance, preventing it from performing correctly. Masking can also result from closing the bypass damper to soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cell is not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote, it can cause smoke leakage.

The combustor, when properly operated and placed, will provide years of efficient operation. It will require little maintenance, other than cleaning off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and then cleaning it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor has an bypass damper that can be open to begin the fire and closed when you're ready for reloading your stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates when your combustor operates within its optimal temperature range. Doing this too soon can reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too soon could lower the temperature of the combustor's outlet and damage it. Consult your stove's manual for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department if you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

The controls for air flow in your wood stove are essential to ensuring that the fire burns properly and safely. The primary air systems cooperate to enable your fire to burn efficiently. Each system plays a unique function in the process of combustion.

The primary air control is situated below or inside the stove's door. It controls the amount air that is able to enter the firebox. More air can burn the fire more quickly, but it can also increase the chance of smoke and creosote. When lighting your wood stove, the main air control should ideally be open wide and for a short period of time.

When your fire has built up enough heat, the main air control can be closed down gradually until you are satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. It is essential to ensure that no smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove since this could indicate poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to feed oxygen into your stove's top, usually in the form air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Your fire will be burning too fast and produce excessive amounts smoke without it.

The secondary airflow, the final stage in the airflow system of your stove is fed to the updraft or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your stove to function at its peak.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn wood that is firewood only. Other types of combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and can result in high levels emissions and potentially chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable however, seasoned hardwood needs to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using combustibles that are made of cardboard and paper, since they can produce toxic fumes and the build-up of creosote or ash inside your stove. It is also recommended to avoid placing any logs or other combustibles in the vicinity of your fire, as they could explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an efficient alternative to heat sources particularly if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages. They can be dangerous if used incorrectly. They can create harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They also can cause fire hazard as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these risks by following simple safety guidelines.

Use only clean, dry firewood in your wood-burning stove. Do not use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper or other flammable materials to ignite or rekindle a fire. Never burn treated wood, painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue wide open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small increments and do not let the fire smolder. If you live in a smoke-control zone don't set up an indoor fire.

Make sure that your stove and chimney are installed correctly. A poorly constructed wood burning stove sale stove can cause an unintentional chimney fire that can release toxic gases into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also essential. Check that the chimney flue doesn't leak, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea keep your wood in a shed or the tarp. This will allow the wood to dry and season faster. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the wood from other sources of heat. You should also place your stove on an inflammable surface like a tiled floor.

You should supervise your children around the stove if you have any young children. They might try to touch the fire or play with the ash that is hot, which can be hazardous. You should also keep all flammable items at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It's also an excellent idea to have your family practice home fire drills. This will make it easier to escape your home in the event of an emergency. Take a look at our article on fire escape routes to ensure your home safe.