The Worst Advice We've Received On Wood Heater Stove
Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove can be a warm and cozy space to relax and heat a whole home. However, some of these appliances emit harmful gases like creosote which could be harmful to health and property.
Proper care of these stoves is vital. Some of the most important points to remember include: not overheating the space or tinkering with the fire, and using properly-dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety fuels, including dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These alternative fuels that burn cleanly are more environmentally friendly than traditional house coal and wet wood, which means they are more eco-friendly and safer to use. They do emit harmful gases and smoke and require regular maintenance in order to function at their peak.
Read the instructions of the manufacturer prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it's the right fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or voiding the warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready To Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets the smoke emission and sulphur limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the package or beside the brand name and price.
Fuels that are suitable for burning must be dried or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will increase the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood selected must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods such as spruce and pine provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak generate a higher output of hot embers over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple are not just used to heat your home but also provide a pleasant aroma.
If you have a stove that uses multiple fuels, you may think about a mixed-fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes can aid in keeping the flames going for longer and keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great backup and can also keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air flowing.
A well-maintained stove will create more heat, burn less fuel and create fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure that it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A properly maintained appliance is more economical to run and will protect your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is important to think about. Smoke and carbon monoxide are unwanted byproducts that can be harmful to health and the environment. Proper operation and a well-designed design are the most important factors in reducing the emission.
Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally green than older models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emission and energy efficiency standards which maximize the amount of heat they generate. Look for an iron EPA certification label on the back of the stove, or check out the EPA's current database to determine if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area can also be a great source to learn more about wood stoves, including the size and capacity that is best for your space.
One of the main components of EPA emission regulations is the control of air flow through the stove. The stove's firebox is enclosed by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents within these walls, which allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and that emissions are minimized.
Modern stoves often have a baffle that increases the combustion time of the fire, which reduces smoke output and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This kind of system is a little more expensive and is typically only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate airflow in the stove. Most wood stoves use a basic passive air supply, which requires that the operator (you), operate the stove correctly to achieve maximum efficiency. Some wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when required.
One of the most significant advantages of wood stoves is that it does not require electricity to run, which makes it an excellent alternative for heating homes that are remote or aren't connected to an electric power grid. However, if modern wood burning stove do not have a backup heat source to rely on in the event of an outage or in case of snow storms, a wood stove is not the only option for warming your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves are advertised as having a peak heat output rate in BTUs. This is misleading, however, as the actual capacity of a wood stove is contingent on a variety of variables like the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
Climate also has an impact on the heating requirements. Colder regions require stoves with more BTU rating to maintain the comfort.
Other factors that influence heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can help circulate the heat produced by the wood burner in the room, rather than having the hot air rise up.
It is vital to keep in mind that the maximum output of wood heaters is not to be reached often since continuous high fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and may cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home.
Regular refueling can improve the performance of an fireplace. When adding a log ensure that it's not too large and set it on the embers glowing so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. You can add smaller logs more frequently instead of taking too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce greater heat output using the same amount of fuel. This is achieved by prewarming combustion air before heating it and employing other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than earlier models.
Some people opt to install boiler stoves as component of their heating system. The heat generated by a wood-burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or a hot water tank. This allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is a more efficient and cost effective way to heat a home even though the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run back boilers will increase the running costs of a wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are a convenient and attractive way to heat your home. However, they aren't without risk. Sparks and embers can fly out of a fire and ignite carpeting or furniture, and a hot chimney can lead to fire damage to the structure of your house. These dangers can be minimized by using and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves remain safe and in good condition, they should be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes inspecting the chimney and flue at least two times a year for signs of wear or rust and cleaning them. The chimney should be checked for creosote at the end of each season. This is highly explosive and can lead to a chimney fire.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will assure you that the stove is constructed to meet federal safety standards, and is designed to allow proper venting. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely secured to a stove's floor.
If you decide to install a wood-burning stove inside your cabin, make sure the floor underneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible material. It is also possible to lay a piece of non-combustible floor tiles over the existing flooring, especially if you live in an old mobile home that has flooring that is combustible.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp and green produces excessive smoke and creosote. This is which is a flammable byproduct, which can build up in your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals into your home. Do not burn trash, cardboard, paper or other combustibles in your wood stove, as they can create dangerous fumes and could not completely burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stove -- that is, create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Over firing can result in flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible material in your home. Also, ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out prior to leaving your cabin or retiring to the bed. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be in working order at all times.