20 Truths About Wood Burning Stove: Busted

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a non-carbon renewable heat source that can reduce energy costs. They also support active woodland management that helps wildlife.

If they are not properly installed and maintained they may release carbon monoxide which poses health hazards to the family. To avoid this, look for an EPA-certified Wood fire stove (magachem.com) stove with modern technology to ensure safety.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with a special honeycomb-like catalyst that converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. This is a great choice for those looking to reduce indoor air pollution while saving money. They use less multi fuel stove, burn hotter and produce less creosote. They are more expensive 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 in accordance with certain guidelines that limit their emissions. According to these guidelines a catalytic stove must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This compares with 4.1 g/hr of smoke for a non catalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings do not translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is vital to make sure your wood stove is properly designed for the space in which it will be installed. The wrong sized stove will not function as it was intended and may even overheat. A properly sized stove improves the heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure: Buying an certified wood stove that is EPA-certified (PDF 530K), provides a convenient way to measure and choose the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove produced was an uncatalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood-burning stoves or open fire stoves. The primary benefit of a non-catalytic stove is that it doesn't require an additional combustion to reduce emissions. However, a substantial amount of energy wasted is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance called creosote. The catalytic wood heater has helped to alleviate the risk of these issues. The catalytic stove utilizes catalysts that burn the gases in the smoke to eliminate the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was developed to lower the emission of toxic gases. However it's less efficient than the secondary combustion system used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst doesn't completely burn the byproducts produced by burning wood and therefore still produces harmful emissions. The honeycomb structure could break down with time. This can result in decreased performance and the need for replacement.

Keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is operating properly will appear as a grayish powder. It should be free from soot, ash or any other material that can clog the catalytic surfaces, and reduce their surface area. The combustor should not be exposed to flame impingement. This could occur when a rapid, strong draft draws flames directly into a catalytic convertor. This can also occur when the firebox's door or ash pan's door has been left open.

It is crucial to regularly inspect the catalytic combustor to determine whether it has physical damage and the need to be replaced. If it is damaged or requires replacement, it must be replaced as quickly as possible to ensure best performance.