Why No One Cares About Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you reduce your energy bills. They also help to support active woodland management, which benefits wildlife.

However, if they aren't properly maintained and installed, they could produce carbon monoxide, which poses health risks for the family. To avoid this, choose a wood stove that is EPA certified and features the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is equipped with a special catalyst, which resembles a honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into water and carbon dioxide. It is a good choice for anyone looking to reduce their indoor air pollution and save money by burning less wood. The stoves are hotter and produce less creosote. They use less fuel. They are more expensive to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that are EPA-Certified

The EPA requires that wood stoves be constructed according to certain guidelines that restrict their emissions. These guidelines state that the catalytic stove must be tested at a level that is not more than 7.5 grams of smoke per hour. This compares to 4.1 g/hr for a non-catalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emission ratings do not necessarily translate into better efficiency in heating.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial to make sure your wood woodburning stove is designed for the space in which it is installed. A stove that is not properly sized won't perform as it should and could even overheat. Proper stove size increases the heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure: Buying an EPA-Certified Wood Stove (PDF 530K) provides a convenient method of sizing and choosing a new wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove produced was non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional corner wood burning stove-burning stoves or open fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it does not require an additional combustion to reduce emissions. Smoke is the primary source of wasted energy. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves is contaminated with a toxic substance known as creosote. The catalytic wood heater has reduced the risks. The catalytic wood stove uses catalysts to burn the smoke containing gases and eliminates toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was designed to minimize toxic emissions. However it is less efficient than the secondary combustion system utilized in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst is unable to completely burn the byproducts of burning wood and therefore still produces some unhealthy emissions. In addition, the honeycomb structure of the catalyst can break down over time. This can lead to a decline in performance and the need for replacement.

Make sure to keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor functioning properly will appear to be like a powdery gray. It should be free of soot, ash, or any other material that could clog the catalytic surfaces and reduce their surface area. The combustor must not be subject to impingement of flames. This could be caused by a strong, fast draft that draws flames directly into the catalytic converter. This could also occur when you leave the firebox or the doors to the ash pan open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustion chamber regularly for physical damage or the need to replace. If the catalytic unit is damaged or requires to be replaced, it must happen as soon as possible for optimal performance.